Since the metro project started, more than 70km of network, including 8km of tunnels, has been developed to serve over one million citizens in Portugal’s second largest city.
With the clear objective of changing the citizens’ habits, the metro system was designed with the passengers and their commuting needs in mind. The system is based on 3 principles.
- Functionality: the network had to reduce traffic by providing an efficient user-friendly service. Time spent commuting has lessened thanks to exclusive tracks for the trams which also have priority at all times over other vehicles. It is 100% accessible to wheel-chair and disabled people. Most of the steps and platforms have guide lines for blind people
- Accessibility: the network has 5 independent lines, covering 6 municipalities within the metropolitan Porto area. Tickets can be bought from machines and car parks are low cost.
- Easy maintenance: most of the stations have been built with steel and glass to convey cleanness and tranquillity.
From the beginning, Metro do Porto’s efforts have been marked by the excellent integration of its equipment into their surroundings; a modern design that goes hand in hand with very strict technical and financial parameters without forgetting the safety and comfort of its users.
Aesthetic and functional lighting
Within such a framework, the selection of Schréder products for some of its latest track extensions and passenger stations makes perfect sense. Aesthetical, technical, and functional issues, together with cost-effectiveness, were key selection criteria.
Passenger stations such as Parque Maia Station and Boticas are fitted with elegant Neos floodlights for direct as well as indirect lighting, thus achieving an excellent level of illumination and uniformity with maximum visual comfort in a very cost-effective manner.
The Aura, a luminaire with an elegant design not only lights but improves the aesthetics in the shopping area close to Maia station.
By employing white light together with designer luminaires, it is possible to radically improve the image of a station. Locations become much more pleasant and the feeling of security is greatly enhanced.
This strongly contributes to the general public’s willingness to commute using public transport.
