Design of haul road lighting system. Part II: design based on optimal cost considerations

Abstract

The proper selection of lighting installations is very important for the provision of cost-effective lighting systems without compromising light quality. In this study a computer program was developed to evolve a cost-effective lighting system for haul roads in surface mines. This program is beneficial in assessing the viability of various lighting installations in order to achieve cost-effective solutions. Using the program, illumination design was studied for an 800 m long stretch of haul road. Nine different types of light sources were considered at mounting heights of 12 m and 16 m. The study shows that at a 12 m mounting height, 100 W high-pressure sodium vapour (HPSV) lamps offer the most cost-effective design, followed by 250 W HPSV lamps. In the case of 16 m pole heights the annual lighting cost is minimum for 150 W HPSV lamps, followed by 250 W HPSV lamps. This work also shows that optimum design based on energy consumption need not be the same as design based on optimum cost considerations as cost parameters may vary widely with location.