LED airfield lighting: exploring the synergy of sustainable solutions, safety, and smart technology

What is it about?

This study examines the impact of LED airfield lighting on sustainability and safety, aiming to provide valuable insights for airport operations and management in the areas of health, safety, and sustainability. It analyses both global trends and specific contexts in New Zealand to evaluate how LED lighting enhances energy efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and safety within airport environments. Using a qualitative approach, the research combines insights from five expert interviews with secondary data obtained from a systematic review of 47 relevant articles. Thematic coding helped identify key factors influencing the effectiveness of LED lighting, followed by various analytical methods, including Pareto analysis and causal loop diagramming, to understand their systemic importance. The findings highlight Energy Efficiency and Reduction of Energy Consumption as the most significant factors contributing to operational savings and sustainability objectives. Additionally, Durability and High-Performance Light Output were recognised as essential for ensuring reliability and visual safety. While factors such as Reduced Maintenance Costs and Smart Control and Adaptability appeared less frequently in the literature, expert feedback indicates they are increasingly relevant in modern airfield systems. The analysis highlights a balanced approach that prioritises economic efficiency, safety, and environmental performance. However, it is worth noting that the study is based on English-language sources published from 2019 onward and includes a limited sample of industry experts, which may affect the generalizability of the findings. Ultimately, this research offers the first comprehensive evaluation of LED airfield lighting through the perspectives of systems thinking and network analysis. It provides airport stakeholders with evidence-based insights to enhance safety, energy efficiency, and environmental alignment in airfield operations, laying a robust foundation for future research and policy development in sustainable airport infrastructure.

Featured Image