PLZEŇ - Plaská
Greening of the Tram Line in Bolevec
PLZEŇ - Vegetation track covering with a water-retentive non-humous layer
The extensive reconstruction of an 850-metre section of the tram line in Plaská Street (direction Bolevec) brought greening of the track superstructure with drought-tolerant sedums to Plzeň. This water-retentive surface was installed in the track bed to reduce dust and noise and to improve the overall microclimate of the area. As part of the reconstruction, railway rails of the 49E1 (S49) profile with Vossloh elastic fastenings on concrete sleepers were used in Plzeň for the first time.
Basic details and interesting facts about the project:- Location: Plaská Street (section from the junction with Okounova Street to the Bolevec terminus).
- Greening technology: Licensed implementation by the construction company STRABAG RAIL. For the non-humous layer in the track, water-retentive boards made of recycled synthetic textiles Enviret SH from RETEX Moravský Krumlov were laid, and a cultivation soil layer from a special substrate for sedums was installed. The planted sedum mats significantly change the colour appearance of the track over the course of the year, especially during the flowering period or in dry summer periods. The vegetation surface is in contact with the rails.
- Noise protection measures: The 49E1 rails (S49 – the so-called railway profile) are fitted in the joint chamber with narrow side webs made of recycled rubber bonded with polyurethanes. The Vossloh rail fastening system is covered with plastic caps.
- Benefits: Significant reduction of noise, vibrations and dust, to which the rail profile used also contributes, on an extremely busy urban boulevard (exit road I/27 towards Žatec). The segregated tram line in the central green strip has brought a new quality of life to the public space of the Bolevec housing estate and has strengthened the attractiveness of tram transport.
- Exposure period: From 17 May 2022 to the present – current operation confirms the reliability of the simple greening system with lower water retention and its suitability for further applications.
- Track parameters: Double-track line approximately 850 m long in a straight section, variable longitudinal gradient, design speed 60 km/h, ballasted track grid, 49E1 rails on B03 sleepers.
