Lighting the Future of Transport: Safer, Smarter, More Sustainable
Robin Hicks
Schréder Group Product Manager - Transport Infrastructure
People have never travelled more. Whether for work, leisure or trade, movement is the lifeblood of our global economy, accounting for around 7% of global GDP. According to UN Tourism, over 300 million people travelled internationally in just the first quarter of 2025 alone, which is a 5% increase on last year.
Cargo never sleeps either. Each year, trillions of tonnes of goods are transported by road, rail, air and sea. Events like the obstruction of the Suez Canal in 2021 remind us just how fragile supply chains can be. In this 24/7 environment, reliable, high-performance lighting is about more than just visibility; it is also about keeping economies moving, people safe, cargo secure and operations efficient.
Yet transport is also one of the most challenging sectors in terms of sustainability, accounting for 37% of global CO₂ emissions. Demand for passenger travel is set to nearly triple by 2050, so the solutions we choose today will shape tomorrow’s world. At Schréder, we believe lighting is part of the solution, improving safety, efficiency and sustainability in equal measure.
Long-life Luminaires, Built with Decades of Expertise
From bustling international airports to quiet coastal marinas, from high-speed rail platforms to busy container ports, we have been lighting the spaces that keep the world connected for decades.
Our approach is simple: listen, understand, deliver. Whether we are designing a bespoke solution or quickly deploying proven luminaires, we work collaboratively with our customers and actively encourage co-developing products with our teams. Every project begins with a detailed site survey, ensuring installations are safe and cost-effective, cause minimal disruption and maximise performance.
We understand the pressures our customers face: every grounded aircraft, delayed train or halted crane can result in significant costs and reputational damage. That’s why our luminaires are built to last longer, perform better, ease installation and require less maintenance, even in the most demanding environments.
Airports: High-Performance Lighting for Gateways to the World
Airports are much more than just transport hubs - they are often the first impression of a country. Our lighting solutions create safe, efficient and welcoming spaces, from approach roads to runways, aprons and terminals. We design our luminaires to minimise glare and light spill, and reduce energy use while meeting and exceeding aviation safety standards.
We have lit airports in diverse climates, from Botswana’s sun-baked runways to Canada’s icy aprons. At Toronto Pearson Airport, we replaced existing fixtures with OMNISTAR LED luminaires, cutting energy use by 53% and supporting the airport’s emission-reduction goals - all while improving visibility for pilots and ground crews.
Further energy savings can be achieved by using our smart control systems and off-grid solar solutions.
Railways: On Track for Safety and Sustainability
Rail is already one of the most environmentally friendly ways to travel, and we make it even more so. From iconic stations like Antwerp Central to sprawling hubs like Lisbon Oriente, we have delivered solutions that improve safety, preserve architectural beauty and reduce energy consumption. For instance, our lighting solution for Lisbon Oriente cut energy costs by up to 40%.
Our expertise extends beyond platforms to depots, sidings, junctions and approaches, ensuring consistent visibility across the entire network. With demand for high-speed rail in Europe set to double by 2030, we are helping rail operators to meet this growth by providing them with lighting that is safe, smart, durable and sustainable.
Ports: Low Maintenance Luminaires for High Tides
From the sweeping container terminals of Rotterdam to the surf-washed piers of South Africa, ports demand lighting that resists corrosion, extreme winds and salt spray. Our luminaires meet the ISO 9223:2012 corrosion standard and offer high mechanical protection. We also offer solar-powered models for off-grid installations.
At Aveiro Port in Portugal, we upgraded the North Terminal with 214 INDUFLOOD GEN2 LED floodlights, delivering 79% energy savings while improving safety for both cargo operations and crews.
Lighting the Journey: From the First Mile to the Last
Transport infrastructure is complex and diverse - but the needs are universal: safety, reliability, sustainability. Whether preserving the heritage character of a century-old railway station, transforming a bustling port into a safer, more efficient 24/7 gateway for global trade or integrating the latest smart-city technologies into a next generation airport, we work side-by-side with our customers to deliver solutions that perform for decades.
At Schréder, we believe the journey is just as important as the destination, and that excellent lighting keeps airports, railways and ports moving forward.
About the writer
Robin joined Schréder in September 2024 to develop our product portfolio and meet the ever-evolving needs of our transport infrastructure customers. He started his career as a design engineer in the Royal Engineers, before working for a principal contractor in site management and progressing into project management. Robin has a proven track record of successfully delivering multidisciplinary civil engineering projects within the transport and industry sectors, collaborating with both private and public customers.
His hands-on experience enables him to understand customer requirements, ensuring that our product portfolio is innovative, practical and efficient, and perfectly aligned with our customers' goals.
Connect with Robin on LinkedIn.