Bydgoszcz: reconstruction of tram & road system and the intelligent transport management system
About this good practice
Narrow and dangerous Kujawska Street and no tram connection to Wojska Polskiego from the center for years blocked the development of the accessibility in Bydgoszcz. Every day the nearby roads were congested. Therefore, everyone waited with great longing for the expansion of this communication system. In 2021 the tram network was improved with the construction of 2.2 km of double-track line, separate bus lane, new roads and refurbishment of 1.9 km of double-track line along Wojska Polskiego. The track was connected to the city’s intelligent transport system (ITS). In addition, 15 new low-floor trams were purchased. Further work involved installing overhead traction lines and lighting, new tram stops, pavements, pedestrian crossings, bus bays and bicycle paths.
A park-and-ride with 134 parking spaces had been built, other 3 parking lots were renovated. 629 trees and 528 shrubs was planted to reduce the noise.
With a population of around 350 000 the city does not have a metro system. The tram network encompassing 10 lines and about 40 km of track is relatively dense. Kujawska tram and further improvement of the tram network introduced recently have and will improve sustainable mobility in the city.
Resources needed
Total investment of “Construction of a tram line along Kujawska street ...” is EUR 86 579 938, with the EU’s Cohesion Fund contributing EU 38 665 655 through the “Infrastructure and Environment” Operational Programme 2014-2020, priority “Development of low-emission collective transport in cities”.
Evidence of success
By providing a viable alternative to private cars, expanding pedestrian and cycle routes, and introducing more public transport stops and energy-efficient vehicles, the investment reduced traffic congestion, accidents and improvemed public transport in Bydgoszcz. Before, there were about 50 road incidents at the Kujawskie roundabout each year. Moreover dpunctuality improved on many bus lines: line 53 the punctuality increased from 79% in 2019 to over 87% in 2021, line 56 from 66% to almost 80%.
Potential for learning or transfer
The investment shows the technical solution for constructing tramline on the slope of the terrain in build-up urban environment connecting two parts of the city. This is a good practice for european cities dealing with urban traffic and road safty as well as GHG emission. Implemented solutions in Bydgoszcz such as PT, ITS, good quality trams may be transffered to other cities improving the life of its citizes. It's worth to copy the approach of Bydgoszcz: in case of future track construction there is no need to close the roundabout beacause the extra track was constructed in the potential development direction.
Further information
Good practice owner
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