Hobart International Airport is one of the top ten busiest airports in Australia, is curfew-free and has had considerable growth over the past ten years. In 2012, the airport undertook a major runway and taxiway resurfacing project which included the replacement of the entire airfield lighting system including a new control system and the construction of a new Airfield Lighting Equipment Room (ALER). ADB SAFEGATE provides intelligent LED airfield lighting solutions to realize the energy potential of LED technologies in the airfield environment.

Hobart International Airport (HBA) is a gateway to the Island of Tasmania. Hobart is undoubtedly one of Australia’s most beautiful places and is the southernmost capital city. Hobart International Airport is one of the top ten busiest airports in Australia, is curfew-free and has had considerable growth over the past ten years. In 2012, the airport undertook a major runway and taxiway resurfacing project which included the replacement of the entire airfield lighting system including a new control system and the construction of a new Airfield Lighting Equipment Room (ALER). There was a strong desire in the airports management to embrace current technological advancements in the airfield lighting industry.

The challenge for Hobart International Airport was to find an efficient and cost saving solution that would serve the airports needs well into the future. Safegate Group’s approach was to present a clear business case that demonstrated the significant financial and environmental benefits of a low power airfield lighting system utilising that latest intelligent LED light technologies. Not only would the airport reduce ongoing maintenance and running costs once the system was installed, there would be a significant reduction in upfront infrastructure costs.

ADB SAFEGATE solution unique on the market
Hobart International Airport is configured as a CAT I lighting system with a Calvert type approach on Runway 12, which was the first approach lighting in Australia. The taxiway lighting system consists of inset lighting including lead-on / lead-off lights and runway guard lights at each intermediate hold point located along multiple taxiways leading from the parking apron to the runway. In a traditional airfield lighting system, the control of these individual lighting segments would rely on the installation of separate discrete circuits powered by dedicated constant current regulators (CCR).

To reduce the amount of infrastructure required for the project, ADB SAFEGATE proposed that SafeLED IQ lighting be used to replace all taxiway centreline, runway guard and approach lights. Then by combining intelligent SafeLED IQ lighting with ADB SAFEGATE’s Airfield Smart Power (ASP) single lamp control and monitoring system, the airport could create “virtual” individually controllable lighting segments. These virtual segments operate on the same circuit thus dramatically reducing the amount of primary cable and CCR’s required for the system. Of course this means lower installation costs also. In the final configuration, the airport was able to create 18 individually controllable virtual segments all installed on only two primary taxiway field circuits. The upfront infrastructure costs were significantly reduced with fewer CCR’s required to power fewer primary circuits including associated savings in installation costs.

Real ongoing costs benefits
Whilst the airport could see the obvious benefits of adopting the proposed system, they were also interested seeking a solution that would provide real ongoing cost benefits over a traditional halogen system. Once the airport had decided to install SafeLED IQ lighting combined with the Airfield Smart Power (ASP) single lamp control and monitoring system, Safegate Group proposed that the airport revert to a low current system which would dramatically reduce the overall power consumption of the lighting system. Specifically, the solution was to power all the LED taxiway and approach lighting using a constant current of 2A. Running the system at this low current significantly reduces the power losses in the primary and secondary circuits including losses in the series isolating transformers.

Hobart International Airport – leader in the aviation market in Australia
The decision to choose ADB SAFEGATE as partner for its new intelligent airfield lighting system was made after careful consideration of the options available in the market. Only ADB SAFEGATE were able to offer a system that combines intelligent LED lighting with single lamp control and monitoring which can be powered by a constant 2.0A.With its low power lighting system and having installed the first LED approach lighting system, Hobart International Airport is proud to once again be the leader in the aviation market in Australia.

ADB SAFEGATE is a leading provider of intelligent solutions that deliver superior airport performance and operations, and jointly identify and solve bottlenecks. Our consultative approach enables airports to improve efficiency, enhance safety and environmental sustainability, as well as reduce operational costs. Our portfolio includes solutions and services that harmonize airport performance, tackling every aspect of traffic handling and guidance, from approach, runway and taxiway lighting, to tower-based traffic control systems and intelligent gate and docking automation. ADB SAFEGATE has 900+ employees in more than 20 countries and serves some 2,000+ airports in more than 175 countries.