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ALC’s latest innovation, ModeSenseAI, was showcased last week at the Road & Street Lighting conference in Copenhagen.
The system formed part of a presentation delivered by our Danish partners, DAV NORDIC A/S, alongside Skanderborg Municipality and AURA Energi.
The session focused on a growing challenge facing municipalities across Europe:
How to effectively manage ageing lighting infrastructure while avoiding unnecessary large-scale replacement programmes.
Traditionally, this has relied on approaches such as non-destructive testing (NDT) and periodic structural testing of lighting columns. However, these methods can be limited to point-in-time assessments. They often leave gaps in understanding true asset condition over time.
Understanding Lifespan Variability in Lighting Columns
The presentation was led by Emil Mortensen (Department Manager, DAV NORDIC). A key theme of the presentation explored how material differences, manufacturing methods, and environmental conditions influence the true lifespan of lighting columns.
Many municipalities today operate assets installed across several decades — from the 1960s through to the early 2000s.
These insights underline the importance of moving beyond assumptions based purely on age or design standards and toward data-driven lighting column condition assessment.
From Limited Data to Data-Driven Asset Management
Skanderborg Municipality, which owns and operates approximately 17,500 lighting columns, presented its ongoing work to improve asset management practices despite limited historical data and documentation.
The central question:
How can municipalities make confident, cost-effective replacement decisions without a clear understanding of lighting column condition?
In response, Skanderborg, in collaboration with ALC, AURA Energi and DAV NORDIC, is utilising a more structured and reliable approach.
The objective is to create an operational model where interventions are based on actual condition data rather than assumption. This balances safety, cost, and sustainability.
Replacing Traditional Testing with Continuous Structural Monitoring
ALC is proud to support this initiative through the pilot deployment of ModeSenseAI, our advanced lighting column structural monitoring system.
Unlike traditional lighting column structural testing methods, including non-destructive testing (NDT), which provide only periodic snapshots, ModeSenseAI delivers continuous, data-driven insight into asset condition.
This shift allows municipalities to move beyond reactive inspection cycles and toward a more proactive, predictive approach to infrastructure management.
By adopting continuous monitoring, municipalities can:
- Extend the lifespan of existing lighting columns where appropriate
- Reduce unnecessary capital expenditure
- Improve long-term infrastructure planning
- Enhance public safety
A Shift Toward Data-Driven Lighting Infrastructure Management
The discussions at the conference reflect a broader shift across the sector:
Looking Ahead
It is encouraging to see this transition gaining traction across the lighting and infrastructure sector, with forward-thinking municipalities like Skanderborg leading the way.
ALC looks forward to continuing its collaboration with DAV NORDIC, AURA Energi, and municipal partners in Denmark as the ModeSenseAI pilot progresses.
Further updates on lighting column structural monitoring in Denmark will be shared as the project develops.
Learn more about ModeSenseAI:
https://www.aluminium-lighting.com/lighting-column-structural-monitoring-modesenseai/
Learn more about the Skanderborg Kommune pilot project here:
https://davnordic.com/cases/skanderborg-municipality-lifetime-assessment-of-lighting-masts/
