Projects

Feasibility Study for a Test Track in the Exhibition Centre Area in Dresden (Germany)

Planning of Traffic Infrastructure

Scope of Business: Infrastructure Planning
Focus: Road and Track Planning
Clients: Dresdner Verkehrsbetriebe AG (DVB AG), City of Dresden
Project Term: 2004 - 2005
Amount of Investment: Approx. Euro 16 million
Project Location: Dresden

Aerial view of the line in the Ostragehege

Project Description

For a better connection to the Exhibition Centre (Ostragehege) in Dresden an investigation was needed into the technical practicability of a tram line between the street 'Friedrichstraße' and the 'Ostragehege'. The variants both with and without a bridge over the flood control channel were looked at. This section as well as being used for public transport would also be a test track for various vehicles which meet the specifications of the BOStrab 'Tramway technical guidance notes' and the EBO 'Ordinance on the Construction and Operation of Railways'. In addition the track can transport goods to and from the harbour area.
This, on the one hand, means a special construction of the track bed structure is necessary (dual-gauged tracks) and, on the other, different contact line systems with different operating voltages. There are many different demands on this section of track because to test the vehicles the tracks require a special route layout and should offer the opportunity to run the vehicles at higher speeds. In addition, the BOStrab and the EBO regulations have to be taken into consideration. Furthermore, the track should be so laid out that later technical developments can be incorporated.

VCDB's Scope of Services

Investigation of the technical principles such as the scope of design for the construction of the track and points superstructure and the contact line system including the supply of different operating voltages
Establishing the cross-sectional dimensions
Creation of layout plans for different route layout options
Cost estimation for construction of road and rail, contact line system, signalling, lighting, land acquisition, buildings, underground work, preparation of construction sites and landscape architecture
Consultation with the municipal utilities and public agencies