6 Considerations for Port and Terminal Lighting

Ports and terminals nearly operate 24 hours a day. Ports and terminals are of heavy traffic. Lighting is critical for the safe and smooth operation during nights. Port and terminal lighting should be good enough for helping workers, visitors, and other people find their way around docks, container crane, jetties, etc. A good and reliable port and terminal lighting can ensure their safety and security. Except for increasing visibility of people, port and terminal lighting should also be able to withstand the harsh outdoor environment. In the seaside applications, wet air with saltwater results the corrosive environment, which strengthen the burden to port and terminal lighting. We would like to talk about 6 considerations for a good and reliable port and terminal lighting.

Sufficient illuminance 

Well, safety first. Sufficient illuminance is the basement of a good port and terminal lighting. Sufficient lighting increases human visibility at night, which enables people distinguish dangerous and avoid accident. However, definitions of sufficient illuminance vary from areas. Areas that have greater danger of fall or perception for detail require higher illuminance. For example, areas under container cranes require higher levels of lighting due to the greater risk. Generally, recommended average horizontal illuminance at ground level for waterfront areas is 30 lux. For container handling areas, the recommended average horizontal illuminance at ground level is 50 lux.

Color rendering 

Color rendering refers to the ability of a light source to show the accurate color of the item. Color rendering has significant effects on visual experience of people. Even in the same given illuminance level, a light source with higher CRI (Color Rendering Index) brings clearer visibility to people. With higher degree of color rendering, people in port and terminal areas are able to distinguish between vehicles, colored signals, etc. Compared to traditional light sources, LED light has higher color rendering index, which can improve visual experience effectively.

Illuminance ratio 

Port and terminal lighting should be constant and uniform. Large illuminance ratio should be avoided because it increases the possibility of accident. When people moving from one place to another, large differences in light level can affect the ability for eyes to react. The sharp contrasts of light levels also cause the sudden blind. This can occur when pilots and master move from a ship to quayside but also when drivers under cranes move to surrounding areas. Therefore, port and terminal lighting, especially for those areas of frequent movement, should be constant and uniform.

Portable lighting 

Fixed lighting may not adequate for port and terminal lighting. At this time, portable or temporary lighting can meet the needs. Portable or temporary lighting can prevent people from tripping or injury when they walk through a darker area. They can also identify the moving fittings more accurately, avoiding being hit. Although portable lighting fixtures are often utilized for a short period, they should be capable of withstanding the wet and salty coastal environment. Furthermore, portable work lights should be compact so that they can be taken out easily.

Minimize lighting pollution 

Port and terminal lighting should be carefully arranged to minimize lighting pollution. The lighting effects on natural environment, surrounding residential areas, shipping, and pedestrians should be taken into account. For natural environment, avoid the spill light and over-lighting which will disturb circadian rhythms of animals. To prevent the lighting trespass to residential areas, direct illumination within the boundary of residential areas shall not exceed 10 lux. Excessively light levels on port and terminal areas should also be avoided, or they will disrupt the guidance of shipping. Glare will cause discomfort and distraction to pedestrians. Reducing the mounting height, repositioning lighting fixtures or use full-cutoff LED flood light to control the glare.

Resistance to harsh environment

Former considerations are related with the design and management of port and terminal lighting, quality of lighting fixtures themselves also play an important role. Since port and terminal are located on seaside, lighting fixtures shall have resistances to harsh environment, such as corrosion, vibration, and extreme temperature.

• Corrosion

Humidity and oxygen are the common factors that cause corrosion. Lighting fixtures in port and terminal area are exposed to the moist and salty air, which can promote the corrosion. Therefore, structures of common lighting fixtures cannot withstand the ocean environment. Lighting fixtures used for port and terminal area shall have strong corrosion resistance. Generally, these lighting fixtures adopt top quality materials and have special surface treatment to protect fixtures from corrosion. The slat spray test is also irreducible for reliable seaside lighting fixtures.

• Vibration

Lighting fixtures may be installed on the high poles. Moreover, strong winds are common in port and terminal areas. The strong winds will cause violent vibration of the poles and lighting fixtures. This requires the vibration resistance of port and terminal lighting. If the pole, mounting brackets, and lighting fixtures cannot withstand the strong vibration, they may break or fall to the ground, which is positively dangerous. Except for the strong winds, the heavy traffic in port and terminal areas also cause the vibration. Although it may be slighter than winds, it should be also taken into account.

• Extreme temperature 

Extreme temperature is inevitable for the outdoor and seaside environment. High temperature and the UV irradiation will accelerate the corrosion. Additionally, heat will depreciate lighting performance and lifespan of lighting fixtures. Thus, port and terminal lighting should have resistance to withstand the extreme temperature. Except for using top quality material to resist corrosion, heat dissipation is also important. LED lighting manufactures use die-cast aluminum to increase the thermal conductivity. They also utilize heat sink and special housing to improve heat dissipation.

The 6 considerations in this post are the common factors for port and terminal lighting. But they are just for reference. Specific lighting design should be made according to actual circumstance. Looking for professional lighting design or more details about lighting fixtures for port and terminal lighting project, please feel free to contact us.