OSTRAVA 2017
Ostrava - Frýdlant Bridges
- pilot project
OSTRAVA – BRENS STERED rail absorbers
The pilot project of a green (grassed) tram line in Ostrava was implemented on the section between the stops Náměstí Republiky (at Frýdlantské Bridges) and Karolina in the summer of 2017 as an innovative solution for modern urban transport. The aim was to verify, in real urban operation, the effectiveness of noise absorbers and sedum strips and to demonstrate that a tram line can be quiet, environmentally friendly and visually attractive at the same time. In a world premiere, a rail noise absorber with a water retention function was deployed, which uses recycled synthetic textiles produced in Slovakia using STERED technology to retain rainwater. The input recycled materials were mainly offcuts and non‑conforming products from the automotive industry and rubber granulate from tyres bonded with polyurethane, pressed into individual components. The rubber elements were installed on the 49E1 (S49) grooved rail and provided significant attenuation of noise and vibrations from the rail web, while reliably preventing vegetation from coming into contact with the running surface of the rail head. This created a complete modular system for covering an operational tram line under the trade name BRENS STERED, which combines technical reliability, long service life and significant environmental benefits. For the pilot project, the approach to Frýdlantské Bridges was deliberately chosen due to its exceptionally demanding conditions:
- Location: Frýdlantské Bridges – Karolina, a heavily exposed section in the city centre with high demands on comfort for residents and passengers
- Technology: Noise‑reducing and water‑retaining absorbers planted with drought‑tolerant sedum, creating a permanently green, low‑maintenance and visually high‑quality track surface. The vegetated surface is separated from the running rails by removable rubber elements, i.e. it is not in contact with the rails.
- Benefits: Significant reduction of noise, vibrations and dust in the city centre, improvement of residents’ quality of life and enhancement of the attractiveness of the urban
- Exposure period: From 21 August 2017 to the present – long-term operation confirms the reliability of the system and its suitability for further implementations
- Track parameters: Track in reverse horizontal curves with cant P = 95 mm, longitudinal gradient 6%, design speed 60 km/h, ballasted track grid, rails 49E1 on B03 sleepers
- Conclusions from the pilot project: The project clearly demonstrated the meaningful use of recycled synthetic materials and rubber granulate for the production of modular, fully demountable rail absorber systems. An extremely exposed location with heavy rail and road traffic. Negative impact of de-icing salts on the vitality of the vegetated surface in the immediate vicinity of the roadway. Verified technology for disassembly and repeated assembly with minimisation of spare parts. Clean and unclogged ballast bed after disassembly. Maintenance of the vegetated surface without soil substrates requires higher nutrient input through artificial fertilisers.
