Flanders Region launches ambitious lighting plan

15 July was a turning point for the Flanders Region. From that day onwards, the highways were less lit. The Flanders Regional road network is known as one of the most-lit of the world (being visible on night-time sattelite images). Now the light is faded when possible, and stays lit if needed. After the implementation of the lighting plan, the number of lit road sections will decrease by half. The number of road sections that will be permanently lit will slightly increase: the night time black-out between midnight and 6 in the morning of some road sections will be canceled for exit and access points on highways and on ringroads. The Region will also start experiments with dynamic lighting.

Road safety was the key point when drafting the lighting plan. Research showed that most accidents at night are caused by (a combination of) fatigue and alcohol. Lighting is not a remedy against drivers' fatigue. As an important accompanying measure, the Region has adapted its standards for reflection of road marks. These were brought to the level used in the Netherlands and the UK. More cat's eyes (reflective road studs) will be installed.

The dynamic lighting will be applied to 501 km of the 1.728 km highway network (one direction). The lights will continuously be lit at 321 km of road (one direction).

For more information, contact icre@polisnetwork.eu