Network Meeting, Ulm

02.11.2011

Following the presentation of our host Stadtwerke Ulm/Neu-Ulm (SWU) the grass tracks of the public transport company of Leipzig (LVB) were presented, which intends to join the network.

The work completed within the network in 2011 was positively evaluated by our members. The partners became acquainted with each other, key aspects for working groups were set regarding vegetation and substrate as well as track equipment. Their work has started. All members have participated in the elaboration of guidelines for planning, building and maintaining green tracks. Key contents of the second network phase 2012 and 2013 were agreed on.

In the evening of the first day grass tracks of Ulm were visited. A city tour through the old part of Ulm came to a close in a historic brewery.

 

03.11.2011

While the greening of Ulm’s grass tracks was not admitted as compensatory and contingency measures in Karlsruhe such one was partly approved by the city as unsealing of surfaces. Track greening can be advantageous compared to other compensatory measures since it takes place very close to the building site. The network intends to contact planning headquarters and nature conservation authorities, in order to find out in which way the best compensation can be achieved. What does the measure aim at? Increasing of water storage, biodiversity and/or other issues?

The second day started with the analysis of a questionnaire regarding track greening sent out in June to 44 public transport companies in Germany. Aim of the survey was to understand the correlations between substrate, vegetation, track equipment and local conditions by means of existing tracks. Via this knowledge optimal systems are supposed to be deduced. So far a quarter of the questionnaires have been returned. The necessity to pay attention to substrate and vegetation is recognized by the public transport companies. During the last years more exact requirements on substrates and grass mixtures were demanded. To gain knowledge in that area is desired by public transport companies. Most dissatisfied with their green tracks were the transport companies during long periods of drought. Damages through drought were partly related to substrate thickness (10 cm - 56 cm in the survey) and type of substrate. Measures can be taken as for example by increasing the water storage capacity of the substrate, by elevating the substrate thickness, by irrigation and by improving maintenance of the vegetation in advance.

During the last two months substrate samples were taken from well performing grass tracks of different public transport companies and were analyzed for several parameters. First results were presented und are incorporated in the following research projects and guidelines for green tracks.

One of the network partners pointed out that track building sites often are not sufficiently prepared for greening. Regularly this results in reduced time which can be applied for the installation of the vegetation and can therefore influence the installation quality.

The next working group meetings will be held in November and January. Subject to further funding of the network the next network meeting probably takes place in April 2012 in Düsseldorf.

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