goblinuser
Member
- Joined
- 12 May 2017
- Messages
- 292
Now I know this is not something unique to the railways, in fact every area in the world seems to be adopting LED lighting systems at the moment.
However, I want to discuss the use of LED lighting systems on the railway. When I was waiting for a train on a recently refurbished London Overground station, as darkness fell it became quite uncomfortable. The LED street lamps were very dazzling and everywhere I looked apart from down at my feet there were multiple harsh lamps imprinting my retinas.
Questions are starting to be asked about the safety of harsh LED lighting around the globe, with the US advising public LED lighting should be shielded and below 3000k. Others have noted how they lack the red spectrum and have too much blue, so can disrupt humans internal clock, potentially damage eyes and affect wildlife. Then there is the flicker rate which is said to perhaps cause headaches. However as the technology is so new, it's hard to find much information. But at this stage, the advice seems to be LEDs are not a problem, it's simply that they are specced by people who don't know enough about them, and that is why they can become health and safety risks.
Personally, I prefer the old orange glow of sodium lights, they feel more comfortable than harsh LEDs. But preference aside, I also have concerns about the safety of LED lights and their use. I am interested in hearing what your preferences are, and why.
However, I want to discuss the use of LED lighting systems on the railway. When I was waiting for a train on a recently refurbished London Overground station, as darkness fell it became quite uncomfortable. The LED street lamps were very dazzling and everywhere I looked apart from down at my feet there were multiple harsh lamps imprinting my retinas.
Questions are starting to be asked about the safety of harsh LED lighting around the globe, with the US advising public LED lighting should be shielded and below 3000k. Others have noted how they lack the red spectrum and have too much blue, so can disrupt humans internal clock, potentially damage eyes and affect wildlife. Then there is the flicker rate which is said to perhaps cause headaches. However as the technology is so new, it's hard to find much information. But at this stage, the advice seems to be LEDs are not a problem, it's simply that they are specced by people who don't know enough about them, and that is why they can become health and safety risks.
Personally, I prefer the old orange glow of sodium lights, they feel more comfortable than harsh LEDs. But preference aside, I also have concerns about the safety of LED lights and their use. I am interested in hearing what your preferences are, and why.
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