Highways Agency

• Incident Lighting
• Traffic Incident Management Bulletin

February 2007

Balloon lighting is a mobile light that produces the equivalent of 5,000w with a similar light intensity to daylight. The product has been successfully used at night time and poor weather in a variety of industries including in highway management/construction, for the following purposes:

• road construction and maintenance
• bridge work
• road signs and markings
• installation of crash barriers
• earth moving, excavation and demolition

It provides a clear homogenous, glare free, light that is essential for the above to be performed safely.

Balloon lighting has the ability to illuminate an area of approximately 10,000m2. This  reduces the need for multiple lighting towers at major incidents which have been the traditional lighting option.

The lighting balloons provide a uniform light over 360° and are fitted with a reflector that enables multi directional light, which in turn supplies incident responders with a clearly lit working environment.

Through emitting glare free light it prevents the travelling public being “dazzled or blinded” or incident responders suffering eye strain. This provides safe visible conditions contributing to a safer working environment where the worksite and work force can be seen clearly.

To ensure that the assembly of the light does not hinder the incident clearance time, they have been manufactured with the following features:

• Inflates in 45 seconds for quick set up time
• Connects to a standard circuit or to a generator with easy access to the lamps to ensure it can be installed and maintained by an individual
• Light and compact for ease of transportation

The balloons have an elliptical or tubular shape to allow a better wind resistance for external use. They are produced from materials which meet with electrical standards IP53 or IP54 alongside a built-in safety system that automatically switches off the power upon depressurisation of the balloon.

There are a variety of balloon types dependent on specific requirements, as shown below:

• mobile balloons 
• versatile balloons to be fixed on either heavy equipment or ground
• balloons to light large areas 
• low voltage balloons

Balloon lighting has been recognised as the solution to night-time incident management following a pilot on the Area 11 network. The below personnel supply their thoughts on the effectiveness of balloon lighting at an incident on the M6.

Simon Phillips, Optima’s Deputy Network Operations Manager was at the scene and commented the following:

“Using balloon lighting meant completion of the scene investigation during the hours of darkness. With early completion by the police and swift work by our ISUs to clean up the carriageway we were able to open the road by 2am – less than 9 hours after a major incident had closed the entire carriageway.”

Police at the scene were also very impressed with the equipment. Graham Compton, Senior Traffic Management Officer of the Leicestershire Constabulary said:

“The emergency services relied heavily on the availability of the Optima lighting tender. It proved to be an extremely valuable tool assisting greatly with actions necessary. The level of lighting provided by the vehicle is first rate.”

Balloon lighting has proved to be successful through providing a safer environment through better visibility, and by enabling swifter incident clearance, it also reduces congestion. As a result, all ISUs in Area 11 have been equipped with the balloon lighting units.

Many Thanks to:
Graham Compton, Senior Traffic Management Officer, Leicestershire Constabulary