Barcelona Metro, Spain

In May 1999 a new plan for metro and light rail lines in the Barcelona metropolitan area was approved by the ATM. The plan includes some 50km of new lines, intended to be built within 10 years.

A very similar plan was approved in 1971 for the period up to 1979 to create a network of 111km and 142 stations. But almost 30 years later, the Barcelona Metro had only reached 83.5km.

This time it would appear that the politicians mean business and there will be a vast expansion of the network to cover the urban expanse of Barcelona.

The metro is moving ahead with new projects, the most ambitious of which are the proposed lines 9 and 12.

Line 9 will be the longest tube line in Europe, stretching between Santa Colomna and the airport. At 60m underground, it will also be Barcelona's deepest track.

Line 12, although not as long or as deep, is to provide a vital link between Barcelona and the nearby town of Castelldelfels, extending peripheral Barcelona even further. Both lines are due to be fully operational by 2010.

BARCELONA'S TRANSPORT HISTORY

The evolution experienced by the public transport network in Barcelona has taken place in a parallel manner to the urban growth of the area, and has furthermore adapted itself or promoted the expansion of the built-up spaces.

Since the launching of the first tramway line, in 1872, the public transport in Barcelona has gone through several phases. The metro was born from the need to complement the existing road transport network in the city and In 1908 there were tunnels built above Via Layetana.

However, it was not until 1924 that the first metro line was inaugurated. Today the Barcelona Metro has five lines in service, 115 subway stations and 83.5km of track (two whole new lines are being constructed and four others are being extended).

Its rolling stock is made up of 105 five-carriage car trains, of which 93 are, unlike the London Underground, equipped with air conditioning. TMB (Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona) is the corporation that manages 86% of the public transport system.

LAMP LIGHTING

One of the most important utilities in the Barcelona Metro has to be the efficient lighting system.

LAMP is a well-known Spanish company which specialises in architectural and commercial lighting systems.

The company has provided lighting equipment to the Barcelona Metro for a number of years and by lighting several kilometres of tunnels, corridors, halls, and staircases has contributed to the metro's enviable record of safety and growth.

In a zone with such definite characteristics such as the metro, the task is not just about providing accurate and correct lighting for all the areas, but rather about integrating all the elements of the installation in a single lighting: cables, emergencies, connections and protection devices.

BARCELONA METRO LIGHTING INSTALLATION

The installation of lighting systems in an environment such as the metro requires that the materials and equipment used be of the best quality since maintenance and repair must be kept to a minimum. The electrical conduit system consists of single piece extrusion profile, which prevents water from entering from above.

The power system also includes electrical mains for services and for emergency lighting. The lighting system itself incorporates symmetric and asymmetric optics protected by residual current protective devices.

The cabling, as per safety standard, is coated with Atumex material, which will offer burn protection in the event of a fire in the underground section of the metro and also prevent the fire from expanding and prevent the production of toxic gases.

LUMINAIRE BCN WITH LOUVER DIFFUSER

BCN lighting has been adapted to the urban quality and nature of the metro. It has been blended with the subway's structure and contributes to enhance its functional character. BCN suspended direct lighting luminaire is a modular system ideal for use in such a large system as the metro.

The units are constructed in extruded anodised matt silver aluminium and incorporate trunking and covers to house electrical service conduits.

The lights also include bright aluminium reflectors and anti-vandal louvers. The light fittings can accommodate one or two 18W, 36W or 58W T-8 fluorescent lamps.

The Barcelona Metro called for a tough luminaire, which included a variety of applications, such as integrated emergency units and options for creating flat figures. It can, at the same time, house hidden low-voltage electrical cabling, separating the luminaires into different channels for independent operation.