TR Circular E-C058_9th LRT Conference_2003.pdf - Florida ...

436 Transportation Research Circular E-C058: 9th National Light Rail Transit Conference
Even if the cost differential is considerable, it should be borne in mind that usually
vibration reducing track structures are needed just for relatively short sections of an LRT line,
so the incremental cost may be acceptable.
The higher cost of the floating platform system is due to the precast concrete
platforms and slabs, but this cost is compensated by shorter construction time and easier
maintenance operations on tracks.
Tramway line number 8 is shown in Figure 10 and Figure 11, which is the most recent
tramway line built in Rome (opened to revenue service in 1998, while actual construction
ended in 2000). One of the terminals of the line is in Piazza di Torre Argentina, the heart of
the historical center, where Roman monuments dating back to the 3rd century B.C. and
historical buildings are located. There, a floating platform system was adopted, including an
elegant block pavement on top of the track structure.
In March 2003, the preliminary phase of project design for the extension of line
number 8 was concluded. Within the next 3 years, line number 8 will be extended to Termini
Station, the main central railway station in Rome, crossing Piazza Venezia and Via
Nazionale, doubtless among the most important places in the historical center.
Along the whole extension, about 1.6 km (1 mi) long, the floating platform system
will be adopted, which will also minimize construction time.
REFERENCES
1. Bono, G., C. Focacci, and S. Lanni. La Sovrastruttura Ferroviaria. Collegio Ingegneri
Ferroviari Italiani, Roma, 1997.
2. Transactions from the Congress Impatto Vibroacustico e Ambientale delle Ferrovie
Metropolitane. Seriate (BG), June 2–3, 1994.
3. Transactions from the Symposium Traffico e Ambiente: Inquinamento chimico, acustico
e da vibrazioni. Trento, February 21–25, 2000.