2.3 Benefits
The benefits that can be gained from the partial implementation of photoluminescent paint markings include being environmentally friendly, requiring reduced maintenance as well as being cost-savvy.
2.3.1 Environmental sustainability
The current usage of LED lights runs on electricity. According to the Open Electricity Market (n.d.), Singapore runs on 95% natural gas. Another article by the METGroup (2020) mentions that the burning of natural gases produces methane, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and sulphur dioxide. The gases all cause harm to the environment. Hence, reducing the use of electricity in general will prove beneficial to the environment.
Furthermore, the usage of photoluminescent paint helps emit a warmer tone of light compared to that of LED light bulbs. This will be able to contribute to the overall ambience of the park.
2.3.2 Reduced maintenance
Most appliances that run on electricity require routine maintenance. It is especially necessary when it is in a public space, and users will need to rely on it. Therefore, frequent maintenance of the current LED street lamps is required. This would involve changing its bulbs, as well as checking that the wires do not deteriorate. In the event of a blackout, a team will also be dispatched to restore power to the system. A lot of manpower would be needed to change all 2000+ LED light bulbs across the park.
Photoluminescent paint has a long shelf life of up to 10 years. It does not run on electricity and it is no different from the current acrylic road markings. Therefore, no maintenance is required which will greatly reduce the necessary manpower needed to maintain the park.
2.3.3 Reduced cost
The current LED street lamps in East Coast Park run for 12 hours a day, all year round. This would lead to the park having a huge electricity bill. The maintenance of its lamp posts requires resources such as maintenance tools and manpower. This will also then add to the overall cost of running the park.
Area G consists of 200 lamp posts. Upon the switch to the partial implementation of photoluminescent paint and LED, each LED lamp will require 30W to run and will run for 12 hours a night. The Energy Market Authority (2022) states that the current cost of electricity is $0.2722 per kWh.
Note. Based on these calculations, the partial implementation of photoluminescent paint and LED lamps will yield up to 95% in savings from the current incandescent lamps and 49% from the current solution of LED lamps.
2.4 Limitations and Solutions
The implementation of photoluminescent paint markings comes with its limitations. The limitations would reduce the effectiveness of these markings. Solutions to these problems have to be placed to mitigate the impact of its limitations.
2.4.1 Low illumination levels
The photoluminescent paint markings absorb the light energy from sunlight during the day, and use it to light up the park at night. This energy will be limited. Throughout the night, the brightness of the paint markings will deteriorate. Another factor will be weather, where during rainy or cloudy days there will not be as much light energy that is able to be absorbed than that of a clear sunny day.
Upon implementation, the park will still be able to gain sufficient lighting from the remaining LED lamps. The brightness in between the LED lamps will be where the photoluminescent paint markings will play their part. Due to only a partial reliance on the photoluminescent paint markings, the low brightness would no longer pose a huge issue.
2.4.2 Deterioration of brightness
The photoluminescent paint, just like a battery, will lose power over time if it is not being charged. Therefore, the light produced will reduce over time, and fade into nothing into the night.
Upon implementation, the LED lamps will still be able to act as a charger, providing light energy to the photoluminescent paint markings. This will therefore help it maintain a certain brightness even after deterioration.
2.4.3 Insufficient lifespan
The current lamp posts in East Coast Park are lit for 12 hours a night, but the photoluminescent paint markings can only last 10 hours. The 2 hour gap would mean that no light would be emitted from the photoluminescent paint during that period.
Upon implementation, even without the photoluminescent paint shining at its brightest, LED lamps still serve as a reliable source of lighting. The use of the LED lamps will further charge the photoluminescent paint extending the lifespan of the photoluminescent lighting throughout the night.
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