To thoroughly eliminate safety hazards posed by ageing lighting facilities within the service area, improve the nighttime travel environment for drivers and passengers, and vigorously advance cost reduction and efficiency improvement, Hukou Service Area of Qingdao-Lanzhou Expressway in Yichuan County, Yan’an City, Shaanxi Province recently carried out an independent lighting renovation project. The focus was placed on energy-saving replacement of the 30-meter high-mast lights in the plaza. Through self-operated maintenance and construction, the service area achieved multi-dimensional improvements including enhanced safety, energy conservation and cost reduction, as well as upgraded service quality.

Routine inspections revealed that the original conventional lighting fixtures in the service area plaza had been in service for many years. Suffering from dim illumination, frequent breakdowns, high energy consumption and ageing wiring, these lights delivered poor nighttime lighting, hindering vehicle parking and traffic flow inside the compound. They also brought safety risks such as falling fixtures from height and electric leakage. In addition, exorbitant electricity bills kept increasing the operational burden of the service area.

To resolve lighting-related problems efficiently and keep renovation expenses under tight control, a special implementation plan was formulated under the leadership of Manager Zhao Ruxin. Adhering to three principles - in-house construction, solar-powered retrofitting and resource sharing, the service area avoided outsourcing so as to cut project costs to the maximum extent.

The renovation of high-mast lights involves high-altitude high-risk operations. Throughout the construction, the service area strictly enforced safety codes for working at height. Warning zones were designated in advance, and full sets of personal protective equipment were provided. Staff members worked with clear division of labour and close coordination to complete all procedures in an orderly manner: dismantling old lamps, inspecting aged circuits, adjusting components, wiring and installing new fixtures. Meanwhile, the service area coordinated with peer service areas along the expressway to share high-altitude operation machinery, eliminating equipment rental fees and further lowering renovation expenditures.

Working relentlessly amid sweltering heat, all staff collaborated closely to push forward the project. Within merely two days, they completed full lamp replacement, circuit commissioning and lighting acceptance inspection. All original high-energy-consumption conventional lamps were replaced with energy-saving and eco-friendly dedicated solar lighting fixtures.

After renovation, the plaza enjoys even and bright nighttime lighting with clear sightlines for vehicles. The overall outlook of the service area has been greatly improved. All safety risks stemming from outdated lighting have been eliminated, providing comprehensive protection for drivers and passengers during nighttime driving and parking. The adoption of clean energy lighting drastically cuts mains power consumption and subsequent maintenance costs, fulfilling the renovation objectives of synchronous upgrades in safety assurance, service quality and operational efficiency.

Moving forward, Hukou Service Area will continue to implement refined management and the philosophy of cost reduction and efficiency improvement. Regular inspections and rectification of hidden dangers in infrastructure will be carried out. The service area will further tap into the potential of self-maintenance and energy saving, control operational losses in every detail, and polish the expressway service window with thoughtful, refined services. It will strive to build a safe, orderly, low-carbon, comfortable and convenient rest stop for all passing travellers.