Lighting the Perthus rail tunnel

The 8.3 kilometer-long Perthus rail tunnel links France to Spain, crossing the Pyrénées-Orientales region. Opened in 2010, it is a strategic axis for European rail transport, accommodating both high-speed trains and freight convoys. Designed to meet the demands of cross-border traffic, this underground structure imposes specific technical constraints, particularly in terms of lighting.

The environment of a railway tunnel is particularly demanding: heavy vibrations due to the passage of high-speed trains, constant humidity, dust, and high mechanical stress. To guarantee optimum visibility and flawless safety, it was essential to adopt a lighting solution that was both robust and high-performance. Sammode luminaires were chosen for their ability to withstand extreme conditions, while providing the quality of light required for railway applications. Their hermetic design and resistance to shocks and splashes ensure exceptional durability, reducing maintenance requirements in an environment where every intervention is complex and costly.

Tunnel lighting has been designed to ensure optimum visual comfort for drivers and maintenance personnel. Thanks to LED technology, the luminaires diffuse light evenly and in a controlled manner, avoiding glare and improving the legibility of the infrastructure. By combining performance, reliability and longevity, this lighting scheme contributes to the safety and efficiency of the Perthus tunnel, ensuring optimum traffic conditions for trains using this strategic link between France and Spain.

Location: France & Spain
Credits: ©Frédéric Hédelin