LMT successfully completes major project Metro Line 2 in Panama
Specially developed multimedia and lighting tube system defines new possibilities for LED platform lighting.
In only 18 months, the German LMT Leuchten + Metall Technik GmbH developed, produced and installed a new multimedia lighting solution in three variants based on the LED platform luminaire VARYO II. Now the 16 stations of Metro Line 2 in Panama City shine in the light of the project specialist from Hilpoltstein, Bavaria.
Hilpoltstein/Panama City, July 2, 2019 – In 2015, the ground-breaking ceremony for the new Metro Line 2 marked the beginning of the expansion of the Metro network, in order to relieve the increasing volume of traffic in Panama City especially at peak times by east-west-directional public transport. For the connection of the city centre with the airport in the east and to link up with the existing Metro Line 1, 16 above-ground stations were built over a total of 21 kilometres. They were equipped with newly developed LED multimedia lighting tubes and supporting systems of the Bavarian LMT Leuchten + Metall Technik GmbH.
Multimedia lighting tube system serves as main artery for the Metro stations
The newly developed system bases on a large-volume media channel with stainless steel housing, containing up to 14 cable ducts, which is supported by columns with cantilevers made of heavy steelwork. The inserted luminaires are advanced types of LMT’s LED platform luminaire VARYO II and were especially adjusted to platform geometries. Due to the special architecture of the Line 2 Metro stations, the solution was not only designed to serve as a lighting tube, but also in particular as a media channel for features like loudspeaker and camera systems, fire detection and extinguishing equipment, emergency systems, destination displays and information boards, as well as antennas for WLAN and radio. The height of the media channel was primarly defined by the dimensions of the integrated large-scale screens.
„We started with a mere lighting tube, and ended up with a multimedia channel system, which represents the „main artery“ for all platform functions including the entire operating systems for controlling and monitoring the passenger traffic as well as power supply, data cables and even fire extinguishing equipment“, says project engineer Björn Höhler.
Metro Panama Line 2 – a project of superlatives
With a height of 905 mm and a width of 350 to 700 mm, the trapezoidal profile of the multimedia lighting tube has impressive dimensions. But the technical innovation lies in the unsupported span of 9 metres between two main columns. Additionally, the construction had to be dimensioned for earthquakes, according to the seismic classification of Panama, as well as for wind loads in hurricane force. Never before has such a construction been realized in the field of platform lighting.
The other data also confirm the scope of the project: A total of 3,720 metres of media channel with 1,487 VARYO II LED luminaires with different light distribution characteristics were installed in 16 stations. All luminaires have been UL-certified as well inspected and approved according to fire safety regulations.
More than 400 support systems with inserts such as fire extinguishing equipment, emergency stop systems, intercoms and cable ducts provide the static load bearing capacity. The column housings are made of 22,000 square metres of grinded stainless steel sheet.
LMT Leuchten + Metall Technik GmbH once again demonstrated with this project their ability to realize big and complex projects in compliance with internal and external standards on schedule.