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Solar-powered lights brightening Red Deer transit stops

The City of Red Deer began installing solar-powered lights to illuminate more than 100 transit bus stops earlier this week.
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New solar-powered lights are being installed at more than 100 transit bus stops in Red Deer. (Contributed photo)

The City of Red Deer began installing solar-powered lights to illuminate more than 100 transit bus stops earlier this week.

“We are confident these added lights will increase both safety and security for transit users,” said Trever Sparrow, conventional services superintendent.

“Once installation is complete, every single Red Deer transit shelter will have lights, in addition to nearly 100 other transit stops.”

Over the course of about three months, new solar-powered lights will be installed at six transit shelters and on 96 transit posts at various locations within Red Deer.

Lights within the shelters will turn on automatically once natural sunlight diminishes, and will remain lit until adequate daylight is present. Lights installed on the transit posts are activated by pushing the large button on the post.

The solar-powered lights were funded through Federal Public Transit Infrastructure Fund and Provincial GreenTRIP grants, and were planned as part of the broader Transit Network Improvements Project, designed to improve quality, comfort, connection and safety for transit in Red Deer.

High-traffic, low-light areas were identified for solar-powered post lamps. Sun exposure was considered to ensure the lamps would acquire enough solar energy to operate. Stops with excessive tree canopy or buildings which may block the sun for large portions of the day were excluded from consideration.

“We were careful in selecting which stops would receive the new lights,” said Sparrow.

“We will review the ongoing operation of these new lights to assess if and when more may be installed in the future.”

Solar-light installation is expected to continue through October.



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