Pedestrian Bridge at Toyota Station

Lighting Design: Reiko Chikada Lighting Design Inc.

At Toyota Station in Toyota City, Japan trains operated by two different companies practically cross paths, yet each services commuters at its own station. Located adjacent to each other, the transportation centers are conveniently connected by a second story pedestrian bridge. The bridge is charmingly lit in seasonal shades from Martin Architectural Exterior 600 luminaries as part of a total city lighting concept that includes non-Martin fixtures as well. Eight fixtures located on poles at the bottom of the deck wash the structure in an attractive arch of light visible across the area.

Because the bridge is long and narrow, beam shaper lenses and 12-degree PC lenses are used to create an oval beam and a longer throw. Lighting designer Reiko Chikada decided to use the beam shaper lens for another purpose as well – to reduce hotspots that appear when PC lenses are employed. To avoid excessive light spill the Exteriors have also been equipped with snoot/barndoor kits. The Exterior fixtures were supplied by Martin Professional Japan.

Inground LED from Japanese company National/Panasonic of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. is programmed to change color in synchronization with the Exterior 600s. Reiko Chikada designed the LEDs and Exteriors to mimic the colors of Japan’s four seasons; various color shades matching the current season’s atmosphere. Moreover, sensors located at strategic points along the bridge recognize the presence of commuters at the center of the deck and change the color effect accordingly. Thanks to this peace-inspiring arch of light, commuting between these two stations will never be quite the same.