Dynamic lighting for joggers, darkness for foxes

New lighting for the Albisgüetli Finnish-style track in Zurich

14.10.2026

Anyone running laps in the evening on the Finnenbahn Albisgüetli trail in Zurich now has a pleasant companion: The new lighting system detects runners and turns on the lights exactly where someone is currently running. On behalf of Grün Stadt Zürich, Elektron has equipped the entire system with new warm-white lights and a motion-activated control system. For safe training and as little light in the forest as necessary.

The Finnenbahn track at Albisgüetli is a popular training spot at the foot of the Uetliberg—and it’s practically never empty. Early in the morning, at lunchtime, and after work, runners do their laps here, many of them coming from nearby offices. Just how important the lighting is became clear when the old system broke down: the city’s phone was ringing off the hook after just one week.

Safety—especially for women—is the reason there is lighting here in the first place. No one should have to avoid the Finnenbahn because they don’t feel safe in the dark.

Green City of Zurich

The old lighting system was getting old, and malfunctions were becoming more frequent. So it wasn’t just the lights that were replaced: The Finnenbahn has been equipped with completely new power lines and foundations. Special care was taken during the installation of the lines to avoid damaging the trees and their roots.

AFTERWARDS

BEFORE

Warm Light for People and the Forest

The running trail in the middle of the forest is also a habitat for many animals. Nocturnal creatures and insects are sensitive to artificial light, especially when it is cold and has a blue cast. The old bollards still emitted light at 4000 Kelvin, but even that wasn’t enough.

The new system relies on three measures to protect flora and fauna:

Warm white light

The 2700 K light colour is designed to be gentle on flora and fauna and creates a pleasant, peaceful atmosphere along the route.

Integrated louvres

They reduce the amount of light directed towards the rear. That way, it falls on the path – and not in the undergrowth.

Understated lights

The discreet, slimline Philips DigiStreet Micro luminaires have been mounted on free-standing lamp posts with a light source height of 3.5 metres and blend unobtrusively into the trees.

At 2,700 Kelvin instead of 4,000 Kelvin, the light is much more pleasant for running. And it just looks beautiful in the forest. Thanks to the backlight grid and the appropriate lens, the light shines onto the trail and not backward into the forest.

Urs Bommer, Regional Sales Manager, Elektron AG

Light only where someone is walking

The heart of the system is the Eagle Eye control unit. Each light can be controlled individually—and the track doesn’t simply glow brightly all the time, but anticipates movement:

Background lighting: When the system is turned on, specific lights are set to 20 percent brightness to serve as orientation lighting. The rest remain off.
Motion detected: When someone passes by, the next four lights always dim up to 100 percent. The groups of four overlap, so an island of light moves along the track with the runners.
Back to standby mode: 45 seconds after the last movement, the lights dim again.
End of the day for the track: At 11:00 p.m., the entire system shuts down.

The result: full brightness for everyone who’s training. Darkness for the forest as soon as no one is out and about. This saves energy and significantly reduces light pollution.

Discover Eagle Eye

Everything from a single source—from the foundation to the control system

Even before the first light comes on, it’s crucial that all components work together seamlessly. That’s why, in addition to the lights and the corresponding control system, Elektron also supplied the concrete foundation for this installation. This means the lighting and its stable base come from a single source. This simplifies coordination during the project and ensures a comprehensive solution where everything fits together seamlessly.