Plaza de Olavide, located in the Trafalgar neighbourhood of Chamberí district, Madrid, has undergone various transformations throughout its history. In the 1930s, it housed a central market that was demolished in the 1970s. More recently, the City Council has carried out a refurbishment to turn it into a more pedestrian-friendly, accessible and sustainable space.

Beneath this square lies the Olavide Tunnel, a 113-metre-long infrastructure used by a high volume of vehicles daily due to its proximity to the city centre and the intense commercial and business activity in the area.

As part of the municipal plan to modernise lighting in several tunnels across Madrid, in 2024, the City Council decided to upgrade the lighting in the Olavide Tunnel with LED technology. The objective was to implement an efficient and long-lasting solution that would ensure high performance with minimal maintenance. To achieve this, they opted for the T-XTREME luminaire by Carandini, a modular system designed to offer maximum efficiency, durability and reliability in demanding environments.

A MAJOR CHALLENGE: A TUNNEL WITH ONLY 3 METRES OF CLEARANCE AND AN UNDERGROUND CAR PARK

Renovating lighting in the Olavide Tunnel posed a significant challenge due to its low height (3 m) and structural limitations. To optimise the available space and ensure an efficient installation, the floodlights were mounted on a horizontal beam along the tunnel.

The key to success was the modularity of the T-XTREME solution, which allows the driver box to be separate from the optical block. Thanks to this feature, floodlight driver box was discreetly positioned behind the beam, while the lighting engines were installed at the front, ensuring an even distribution of light throughout the tunnel.

In addition to overcoming technical challenges, close collaboration was established with Madrid’s tunnel maintenance joint venture to achieve both an aesthetic and functional integration. For this, a single model, the T-XTREME M, was chosen for both permanent and reinforcement lighting. This decision ensured greater uniformity in design, providing a more consistent aesthetic and a visually harmonious integration within the tunnel.

Another particular aspect of the project was floodlight orientation as, due to clearance conditions and the near absence of pavements, they had to be installed almost in a vertical position.

Finally, a specific challenge of this tunnel was the presence of an underground car park entrance, an uncommon feature in infrastructures of this type. Carandini, together with UTE, worked closely to ensure optimal visibility in all transit areas of this unique tunnel.

T-XTREME: MAXIMUM VISIBILITY AND PERFORMANCE IN DEMANDING ENVIRONMENTS

From a photometric perspective, T-XTREME guarantees uniform lighting that enhances driver visibility and improves road safety. Equipped with state-of-the-art LEDs and a colour temperature of 4000K, it provides bright white light that optimises visual perception and reduces energy consumption.

In addition to its lighting efficiency, the system stands out for its robust and resistant design (IP66-IP69K / IK10), capable of withstanding harsh conditions with minimal maintenance. These features ensure long-lasting and reliable performance, extending the installation’s lifetime and reducing operating costs.

This project demonstrates how careful planning and the use of flexible lighting solutions, such as T-XTREME, can overcome any limitation while ensuring safety, efficiency and integrated design. Its technology, which allows multiple mounting configurations, makes it a versatile option capable of adapting to any type of tunnel.