Krakow Fast Tramline Extension, Poland

The aim of the project in Krakow, the third largest city in Poland, is the construction of a 10.8km fast tramline extension between Krakow’s central railway station and the city’s southern residential area. The investment will comprise of new track and the upgrading of existing track, as well as the ordering of fifteen new low-floor tramcars and a new traffic control and passenger information system.

KRAKOW FAST TRAMLINE EXTENSION OBJECTIVES

The aim of the project is the implementation of the Fast Tram extension to improve accessibility along the route between the residential area of Kurdwanow and the new Transit Centre development (KCK), and to provide transport services to respond to the west to east shift of the commercial centre. The project aims to improve and extend traffic control and parking in the congested city centre. It also aims to improve urban transport efficiency and cost-effectiveness through commercialisation and the gradual introduction of competition and enhance the city’s creditworthiness.

KRAKOW FAST TRAMLINE EXTENSION ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT

An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was carried out as part of the loan requirements of the European Investment bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. The EIA resulted in the need to address the following environmental issues: tree cutting/replanting; noise; and the potential lowering of the groundwater table in the vicinity of the botanical garden. In addition to assessing the environmental impact, the study also looked at the mobility of the labour force in the city; the accessibility of the tram system; and the balance in urban planning through either encouraging or discouraging urban growth.

KRAKOW FAST TRAMLINE EXTENSION CONSTRUCTION IMPACT

The phasing of construction has not yet been finally decided, nor has the construction process been defined in detail. There are no existing nor baseline environmental circumstances which will be seriously or adversely altered by the construction of the proposed fast tram line. The alignment of the tram route through the Historic Zone, south of the River Visla, is an intensification of an existing activity, construction will be limited in duration and also in physical extent.

KRAKOW FAST TRAMLINE EXTENSION OPERATIONAL IMPACT

The operational impact of the proposed tram system is limited and where it adverse, it is not of a kind, distribution or intensity which would warrant the description significant. There will be a benefit from the inception of the fast tram in terms of air quality. This will be due to the reductions in CO2 emissions at peak hours. This reduction is estimated to be between 1% and 2% at a city-wide scale

KRAKOW FAST TRAMLINE EXTENSION ROLLING STOCK

The existing tram network in Krakow has a fleet of 518 tramcars, the majority of the 105N type, built by Konstal of Chorzow, Poland. The city also has a small fleet of German trams built by Man and Siemens in the mid-to-late 1950s. As the Fast Tram project involves the total re-equipment of the new line, an order of 15 new low-floor trams is an integral part of the project. The tenders for these vehicles were issued by late 1999.

KRAKOW FAST TRAMLINE EXTENSION SIGNALLING AND COMMUNICATIONS

As an integral part of this project there will be new traffic control and passenger information system. This will include a new continuous automatic train control system, which will be linked to a new central control room. The staff in the new control room will be able to monitor and control train movements, as well as being able to contact drivers through a secure radio system. The track circuit will be linked with axle counters, to provide the control room staff with an accurate picture of train movements. The existing trams use a relatively unsophisticated signalling system, which is shared with other road users, and is based on standard road traffic rules.

KRAKOW FAST TRAMLINE EXTENSION PROJECT FUNDING

The project is estimated to cost $111 million in total, the Krakow Municipal Development Agency has secured loans of $41 million each from the European Investment Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. The remainder of the funds will be from revenues raise by the city’s exchequer. The loan received from the European Investment Bank is for 20 years with a five-year grace period.