SNCF sets up environmentally sustainable stations

The position and walls of the station are not selected depending on the centreline of railways, but on the direction of the sun and prevailing winds: to the north, the station is insulated from the cold with a service area and wooden wall; to the west, we use deciduous plants that let the sun in in the winter and filters the sun in the summer; to the east, we use a glazed wall for the morning sun; to the south, we use a metal or wooden shade screen having various sizes depending on the number of hours of sunshine in the region. The vegetated roof (seal coat and substrate of plant origin) reduces water run-off, absorbs CO2 and regulates temperature (heat is absorbed in the summer and released in the winter).
Photovoltaic panels and proximity sensors are installed for lighting and a rainwater collection system is put in to water green spaces and clean the station.
Preference is given to recyclable materials: low-maintenance zinc, whose production requires little energy and which is 100%-recyclable, and has a life cycle of 40 to 100 years; glass, for its qualities as heat insulating and transparent material; wood, which is a heat insulating material which uses little energy when it is processed (4 times less than another material).
Concrete is not frequently used: we use minimal foundations, and a floating floor on easily disposable blocks.
With its prefabricated modules, the station can adjust to requirements and offer varied services (access ramp for disabled people, bicycle shed, display panels, information on trains and on cultural or sports events, automatic ticket machines, connection to the Internet…)