Design of Dynamic Bicycle Path Lighting using principles from the Circular Economy

Design of Dynamic Bicycle Path Lighting using principles from the Circular Economy

Mesch, F.

Wever, R. (mentor)
Zijlstra, J.J.M. (mentor)

Industrial Design Engineering

Design Engineering

Master of Science Integrated Product Design

2015-03-25

This report presents the results of the design of dynamic bicycle path lighting using a circular design approach for the company Lightwell. In the next decade, 600 million Euros will be invested in the construction of ‘bicycle’ highways, in order to stimulate commuting by bicycle. As no specialized bicycle path lighting is currently available, a potential business opportunity arises.The proposed design: Hyperion, offers an unique cycling experience and has been designed to fit in an update system to benefit from future developments in LED technology. A sub goal of this project is to explore the main issues and benefits of using a circular design approach in a small company and how the delft design methods fit within circular development. Setting the Context A context was created using literature studies and multiple input sessions and questionnaires attended by municipality functionaries. Current bicycle path lighting is often based on research performed on the visual task of motorists, resulting in a misunderstanding of the driving tasks of cyclists. Casting light on the path and the edges of the path (near periphery) is essential for safe cycling, whilst casting light in the far periphery will result in an increased feeling of social safety. Using different light colors, the vision in these field can be optimized whilst keeping the lighting levels low. In order to create circular products, a system in which parts or materials can loop has to be designed. It is already widely known that the fast efficiency development of LED lighting will provide circular opportunities. Using a dynamic model the environmental impact of the optimal replacement scenario of a street light was calculated, indicating that optimal replacement is best performed every 8 years instead of the current lifespan of 20 years. A system is created in which the light engine can easily be upgraded to prolong the lifetime of the entire product. Financial model is used to calculated the viability of this system in real valuate. This construction proves to be budget neutral within 4 years after the first update. Extensive analysis, based on the Circular toolkit by the University of Cambridge formed the basis for the circular requirements of the concept. Hyperion Hyperion consist of 3 products; an innovative bollard, a ‘normal’ fixture and an integrated detection sensor. The fixture and sensor are installed on junctions or areas that requires more light in the periphery due to social safety. In between these sections, special bollards are placed, casting light onto the path and near periphery. This enables more ease of access, reduces the maintenance costs and costs for light engine updates. Furthermore, it offers a new cycling experience through smart dimming and could theoretically result in better facial recognition whilst evoking no false sense of social safety. A lease system will be enabled by a middle-man as the financial risk is it too high for a small business such as Lightwell. In order to get more insights into the circular design in the full development process, the bollard is fully embodied. Circular Design Designing for a circular economy can not solely be done on product level, but requires knowledge on system level and deep technical knowledge of a system/ product architecture. It was concluded that the current design methods taught at Delft offer little room for circularity in a ‘normal’ design assignment. A product to redesign, or ideas for a (new) system should be available from the beginning. As a product is needed to fully define the system this becomes a chicken or egg situation in radical product development.

lighting
Circular Economy
CE
bicycle
street light
design

http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:7f1878b0-5a6f-4582-82ab-1d4aadb88cec

Campus only

Student theses

master thesis

(c) 2015 Mesch, F.