Technical details

Detailed research and appraisal work carried by members of the GLUAS technical subgroup under the leadership of Prof. Lewis Lesley (TRAM Power Ltd.) has shown that a city the size of Galway can support a network of two lines (proposed red/orange and green line – 21 km; see Illustration 1 below). The key to making a light rail system work in Galway is the location of strategic Park and Ride stations (P+R) to attract the maximum number of private car commuters driving into Galway, and therefore reduce traffic, congestion and pollution inside the city. To link the red/orange and green GLUAS lines and maximise connectivity with other modes of transport, GLUAS also needs a hub interchange station. Locating this hub in the city centre makes the GLUAS network very accessible to all user groups.

Illustration 1: Proposal for Red/Orange and Green GLUAS Lines

Possible Routes for the GLUAS

Source: GLUAS group, www.gluas.com

If Galway is to achieve a significant reduction in car traffic and greenhouse and other emissions, there must be local rail system to attract car trips. The LUAS light rail system in Dublin has shown that this is practical but that costs can be very high (approx. €770 million for 25 km for red and green LUAS line which were completed in 2004; approx. 31 million per kilometre). GLUAS is estimated to cost in the region of €200 million, less than €10 million per kilometre.

Funds for new public transport infrastructure available under the Government’s Transport 21 strategic plan are limited, with competition coming from other cities (e.g. Metro North and LUAS extensions in Dublin). Alternative financing options for GLUAS could include public-private partnership and private investment.

Funds for new public transport infrastructure available under the Government’s Transport 21 strategic plan are limited, with competition coming from other cities (e.g. Metro North and LUAS extensions in Dublin). Alternative financing options for GLUAS could include public-private partnership and private investment.

Being electrically powered, GLUAS will have a peak demand of up to 10MW and will require an electrical distribution system, with substations about every 2km apart. These substations will be powered from the National Grid, and local renewable electricity generation. Because GLUAS will be electrically powered it will be quiet and will not emit any polluting gases. This will help to ensure that air quality in Galway is improved and that traffic-related noise pollution is reduced.

GLUAS will be designed to have low floor tramcars (300mm / 12in above the rails/road) and platforms will be little higher than existing pavements and footways, to give level entry to GLUAS trams, for passengers in wheelchairs, and especially parents with young children in prams and buggies. Such low platforms can be installed with very little alteration to the existing street structure. In some places the rails for the GLUAS will be laid in the existing road carriageway, and the space shared with other road vehicles, albeit with traffic management to ensure that GLUAS is not congested. In other places where space permits, GLUAS tracks will be laid separately from the carriageway to permit even faster GLUAS service.

All European tramways run on two steel rails, either set flush into the road, or where off road with rails fixed to sleepers. This makes the quality of the ride very comfortable for passengers, without bumps and swerves associated with buses on normal roads. More importantly, new tramway technology such as the ‘glue in the road’ LR55 track system developed by TRAM Power Limited have resulted in reduced cost, speedy installation and minimal disruption to existing structures (e.g. utilities remain largely undisturbed by tramway construction). LR55 has been used successfully in Sheffield since 1996 (see also Figure 2 below).

Illustration 2: LR55 foundation trough and rail section

LR55 foundation trough and rail section

Source: TRAM Power Ltd., http://trampower.co.uk/

Do you have any questions or comments? Contact info@gluas.com for further information, comments and observations.

@ GLUAS 2008