SkyTrain Passenger stations (20 stations) were over 20 years old when the transit company mandated a lighting upgrade to improve the luminaire/lamp efficacies for power smart, increase the illumination levels (to IES recommendations) for crime/accident reduction, and reduce the operating and maintenance costs. The lighting study and preliminary design commenced in 2004 with the recording of interior and exterior illumination levels of 20 stations and then comparing these levels with IES recommendations and the latest station design guidelines. With this detailed background information, we met with the operating company to propose the conceptual lighting upgrades in each area of the 20 stations. One of the interesting features of this lighting upgrade was the application of light pipes to illuminate the long stairs and escalators. The operating company had major problems with maintenance of luminaires at 12m above the long stairs and escalators. In some locations, scaffolds were constructed to replace the lamps and ballasts above the stairs and escalators. In one location, the mercury vapour luminaires were never maintained or replaced after more than 20 years of operation. Scaffolding could not be used in this staircase because of operating requirements (21 hours a day and 7 days a week). We recorded an average illumination of 20 lux in this staircase which is used by over 10,000 people every day. The solution to this major maintenance problem was to install 20m and 30m long light pipes, with a 1000W metal halide lamp and ballast at one end, located above the upper landing. The MH lamps and ballasts can now be serviced using a 4 metre ladder on the upper landing - no more scaffolding. Operating and maintenance issues were considered as well as illumination requirements and aesthetics.

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