Tramway Evaluation of the Effects

Environmental Impacts Environmental impacts

Natural environment In the tramline option, the delicate environments are the surroundings of the Tampere University Hospital, the area of the future Kekkosentie tramline bridge, Iidesjärvi, , canyon, Tohtorinpuisto park, the depot, Hervantajärvi and Pyhällönpuisto park. In the bus option, the most significant environmental impacts are directed at areas where additional lanes, new street connections and bridges are to be built, such as , Paasikiventie and Hervannan Valta- väylä. The most significant impacts in this option concern the habitats of the flying squirrel.

Energy and material efficiency A tramline reduces the energy consumption and emissions of traffic. Taking into account the working life and capacity of the equipment, 225 buses are required for every 25 tram cars to achieve the same service level. A tramline entails more consumption of materials and a greater need to transport landmasses than the benchmark option.

Surface, ground and drainage water 36 The tramway and the benchmark option will not have any significant impacts on waters in the area because the construction will mainly apply to the existing street structure. The early effects during construc- tion are controllable. Attention will be paid to the control of drainage water at the tramline depot.

Contaminated soil A heavily contaminated land area was found in the sphere of the first implementation phase in Korkinmäki. The area will be purified. There are 26 targets in need of further investigation in connection with the construction of the second implementation phase, i.e. the section from the Central Market Square to Lentävänniemi. The bus option also contains requirements to manage the quality of the soil.

Emissions and air quality In the tramline option, the particle, nitric oxide and carbon dioxide emissions are slightly smaller than those of the bus option. In the tramline option, air quality has been evaluated to improve in the main streets in the city centre and Hervanta. Due to dust and emissions from the machinery, air quality may be poor during construction.

Hiedanranta option: The environmental impacts of filling will be evaluated when the plans are specified.

Kuva: Tampereen kaupunki/Ramboll Oy 37

Image: Average noise levels on Teiskontie during the day in 2040 in the tramline and bus option.

Noise, vibration and structure-borne noise raitiotien vaikutukset. Liikenteen verkolliset päästötarkastelut 2016 According to the track noise survey (Noise survey, situation 17 May The options do not significantly affect the overall noise assessments in emission review). In most areas, the differences between the options 2016), some rail squeal may be heard in the tightest corners of the the city centre. Momentary, potentially disruptive noise is created in (0+ and 1) in the overall noise levels are minor; the differences are in track. Rail squeal is high-pitched, unlike normal track noise. All in all, the tightest corners and switches of the tramline. Construction causes the region of +/- 1 dB. the number of tight corners in this project is reasonable. Sources of loud noise at times. The vicinity of the tramline does not contain subs- noise during construction include large rail work machines, earthwork tantial vibration risk areas. Structure-borne noise insulation will be Nearly the same number of residents are exposed to noise in both machines, bridge work, bedrock quarrying, crushing, and the taken into account in the design. options. In the tramline option, the noise levels are lower than those construction of compensatory roads. of the bus option along Itsenäisyydenkatu and the east section of Hiedanranta option: The environmental impacts of filling will be evaluated Hämeenkatu, where the tram traffic will replace some of the bus During the construction of the tramline, noise will be reduced by when the plans are specified. traffic. In the tramline option, the noise levels will increase in areas means of work planning, among other things, and official instructions where no traffic is operated in the bus option. For instance, in the will be complied with when controlling the noise. The quarrying and southern end of Insinöörinkatu in Hervanta, the noise level is higher blasting work in the Hervanta depot will be a substantial source of Noise in the tramline option than in the bus option. This is mainly due to noise during the construction. The impacts of the tramline on the overall noise level of traffic have increased bus traffic on Insinöörinkatu as a result of the new tramline been evaluated with noise modelling (Tampereen kaupunkiraitiotien traffic. According to the noise modelling, the options do not require meluvaikutusten arviointi 2016 noise impact assessment) on the basis noise protection. of the traffic prognoses of the Tampere traffic model (Tampereen Vibration and structure-borne noise The vicinity of the tramline does not contain substantial vibration risk areas. (Tampereen raitiotie. KAS-vaihe. Runkomelu ja tärinämuistio 2016 structure-borne noise and vibration memo). However, atten- tion should be paid to the risk in the TAYS area, on Tekunkatu, and in the vicinity of Mutaoja. The north-west side of Tekunkatu contains a community garden built on fine-grain soil with no permanent resi- dents, and the south-east side features educational establishments. The vibration recommendations of residential buildings in the VTT fact sheet number 2278 are not usually applied to them. In this area, tram traffic vibration may slightly exceed the VTT-recommended values of residential buildings.

In the first implementation phase, there are areas of structure-borne noise risk in Hämeenkatu and Hervanta. The total combined length of these is approximately three kilometres. Insulation solutions will be adjusted to the street structure plans in cooperation with the street designers. According to the structure-borne noise surveys, no special soundproofing solutions are needed. The sufficient level of soundproofing will be achieved with the combined effect of track attachments and frost sheet in the slab track sections.

38 In terms of the western branch (Pyynikintori¬–Lentävänniemi), there are areas of structure-borne noise along Lielahdenkatu. In the west, areas of vibration risk are Enqvistinkatu, the south-west end of Lielah- denkatu, and Federleynkatu. The extent of risk areas can be specified when there is more experience regarding the levels of structure-borne Image: Content profile of nitrogen dioxide in (Ilmanlaadun pitoisuusprofiilit Tampereen raitiotien vaiku- noise and vibration caused by tramline traffic in comparable condi- tusten arviointia varten 2016 report). tions. (Tampereen raitiotie. Läntinen haara Pyynikintori–Lentävän- niemi 2016 report)

Emissions and air quality

The impacts of the tramline on air quality have been evaluated on the basis of the traffic prognoses of the Tampere traffic model (Tampe- By the year 2040, the particle emissions in the entire region will reduce According to the modelling of air quality profile contents in the streets reen raitiotien vaikutukset. Liikenteen verkolliset päästötarkastelut from the current situation by about 70% and the NOx emissions by (Ilmanlaadun pitoisuusprofiilit Tampereen raitiotien vaikutusten arvi- 2016 emission review). The total emission quantities from traffic in the about 30%, whereas the carbon dioxide emissions will increase by ointia varten 2016 report), the tramline option does not substan- Tampere region (Tampere, Pirkkala, Lempäälä, Kangasala, Ylöjärvi, about 20%. The largest impact on the development of emission quan- tially differ from the bus option in terms of air quality. Overall, the Nokia, Vesilahti, Akaa, Valkeakoski, Orivesi, Pälkäne and Hämeen- tities comes from the renewal of vehicle stock and the development of differences in the impact on the air quality of Tampere were minor kyrö) in terms of nitrogen oxides (NOx), particles (PM2.5 and PM10) vehicle technology. The particle emissions of the tramline option were between the options. However, some changes may occur locally in and carbon dioxide (CO2) in the tramline and bus options have been 0.6% lower in 2040 than those of the bus option, nitrogen oxide emis- air quality, depending on the street. In future, if the number of tram- evaluated using traffic prognoses and emission factors. sions were 1.3% lower and carbon dioxide emissions were 1.4% lower. lines in Tampere increases, their impact on air quality (especially the impact of reducing street dust) may be larger. minor impacts on surface waters. During use, the largest changes of constructing the tramline are directed at the crossing sections of the river. The tramline will run over Vuohenoja and Mutaoja so that the current drum structures need to be extended. Damming and flooding damage will be prevented with a drum that must be at least as large as the one currently in place and so that the channelling capacity of the drum is not weakened.

The distance between the tramline and Iidesjärvi will be 300–500 m. The use of the tramline will have a slight impact on the flow rates and water quality of Iidesjärvi Only a very minor share of the drainage water that flows into Iidesjärvi will consist of drainage from the tram- line. In addition, the track will be ballasted in the vicinity of Iidesjärvi; the water will run through it and any flow will not have the chance to grow larger.

In the current situation, the station tunnel of Itsenäisyydenkatu sees some flooding of drainage water during heavy rain. Floodwater also flows from the station tunnel to the intersection of Rongankatu and Ojakatu, which is one of the most significant risk areas of drainage water flooding in the city. The flood risk of the station tunnel will be prevented by delaying the water in a flood pool to be built under Posteljooninpuisto park. 39 About 600 metres of the tramline will run in the groundwater area of Aakkulanharju. The structures will be placed above the surface of the groundwater. In the groundwater area, the tramline will be set on layers that allow water to flow through. From the foundation, the water will flow into the drainage system, and subsurface drainage water is not led to the groundwater area.

Image: In the tramline option, the line is cut by streams and trenches. The impacts of constructing the western branch on surface, ground and drainage waters are minor as, according to the general plan, the tramline will use existing streets, and the subsurface drainage water Surface, ground and drainage water of the structures will be led to the current drainage water network. sive upstream drainage basin will be controlled by delaying it on the Pyhällönpuisto park will act as the leading and infiltration area for The most significant impacts of the tramline project on surface, east side of the depot and on the north side of Kauhakorvenkatu. In drainage water, which means that the track must be planned to ground and drainage water will be incurred in the construction phase. addition to delay structures, the construction in the drainage basin preserve as much of the current park area as possible or to ensure the requires the flow of Tauskonoja to be improved. The implementation structures allow the flow of water. The open trench next to Enqvis- The impacts of the tramline option by 2025 of the planned drainage water control measures will significantly tinkatu is a significant control structure of drainage water floods in Raitiotien ensimmäisen toteuttamisvaiheen merkittävimmät pinta- reduce the impacts in the depot area. the area. The tramline should be aligned so that the trench can be The most significant surface and drainage water impacts of the retained or, alternatively, the trench can be replaced with a similar first implementation phase of the tramline will be directed at the The tramline will mainly be constructed on existing streets, and the structure with at least as large a capacity. depot area. The construction of the depot will require Tauskonoja subsurface drainage water will primarily be led to the current drai- to be moved and partially tubed. The drainage water in the exten- nage water network. That is why the use of the tramline will only have About 400 metres of the second section of the tramline will be If the option requires additional lanes to be built along Teiskontie to Nature sites and ecological connections located in a groundwater area. The flow direction from the ground- guarantee smooth public transport, the drainage water delay area of water area is towards waterworks. The waterworks is situated campus currently being planned for the area north of Teis- about 500 metres from the tramline. If the tramline is constructed kontie and north-east of Ali-Huikkaantie must be taken into particular The impacts of the tramline option by 2025 with a grass surface in the groundwater area, the risk is that some of consideration in the planning. The tramway construction will have some impacts on plants, animals the pesticides end up in the groundwater if the grass is treated with and nature sites. The impacts are usually minor as the tramline is pesticides. The risk can be avoided by making sure no pesticides are Automobile traffic requires paved lanes. Asphalt does not allow the mostly situated in a constructed environment. The most significant used. The benefit of grass-surface sections is the properties of vegeta- penetration of water, impacts of the tramline will occur during the construction phase. In tion: it binds street dust, reduces noise and produces oxygen. which means that new paved areas will increase the flow of drainage addition, indirect impacts may occur from runoff water, noise and water. dust.

The impacts of the tramline option by 2040 The eastern branch of the tramline towards Koilliskeskus would likely run alongside the current Teiskontie, and the subsurface drainage of the tramline would be designed on the basis of the current drainage water network. The drainage water delay area of Kauppi campus currently being planned for the area north of Teiskontie and north- east of Ali-Huikkaantie must be taken into consideration in further plans.

It is assumed that the tramline from the city centre south to Pirk- kala via Hatanpää will use the current road network, whereupon the 40 impacts on the control of drainage water are evaluated to be minor. There are no groundwater areas in the vicinity of the tramline in the municipal area of Pirkkala.

According to the current estimate, the tramline will run in the vicinity of the Ylöjärvenharju groundwater area in the Ylöjärvi region. The tramline will also be situated quite close to Saurio waterworks. During the use of the tramline, no pesticides should be used to ensure they do not end up in drainage water and, later, in the groundwater. The effects on drainage water in the Ylöjärvu region are estimated to be minor as the construction of the tramline will not include extensive waterproof surfaces.

The impacts of the bus option in 2025 and 2040 The bus option requires improvements to the intersections in the vicinity of Enqvistinkatu. If the trench used to level out the drainage water floods in Enqvistinkatu is replaced with a traffic area, the risk of drainage water floods is major. The damage can be prevented by retai- ning the trench structure or by replacing the trench with a drainage water structure that has at least as large a capacity. The additional lanes to be built on Paasikiventie will increase the amount of paved surface and, moderately, the formation of drainage water. Image: Sensitive natural areas and the most significant ecological connections in the tramline option. The significant impacts on natural environment in the first implemen- Most of the vegetation in the plot of Hervanta tramline depot will be borine. Iidesjärvi is a valuable area of birds, insects and vegetation, tation phase of the tramline will be directed at Vackerinpuisto park cleared. Trees will be planted on the borders of the green areas to acting as a habitat for species included in Annex IV(a) of the EU Habi- in Hallila and in the depot area of Rusko. Both areas are the habitat act as travel routes for the flying squirrel. The key areas of the flying tats Directive, such as the large white-faced darter, the moor frog, and of the flying squirrel, a species included in Annex IV(a) of the Habi- squirrel are outside the depot plot. The area has been granted permis- several species of bats. The destruction and weakening of their areas tats Directive. The destruction and weakening of the flying squirrel's sion to diverge from the Nature Conservation Act. Constructing the of rest and reproduction is forbidden. The construction of the tram- areas of rest and reproduction is forbidden under the Finnish Nature depot area in accordance with the terms and conditions of the permit line will not have direct impacts on the nature sites of Iidesjärvi. The Conservation Act. In spring 2016, permission to diverge from the and the presented compensatory measures will not weaken the prote- quality of the water running into the lake is taken into account in the Nature Conservation Act was sought for Vackerinpuisto park. The ction of the flying squirrel regionally or nationally. construction, and it is ensured that no large amounts of fine aggregate habitat of the flying squirrel in the park would be discontinued. The end up in the lake. significance of the habitat in Vackerinpuisto has been evaluated to be The construction of the Kekkosentie-Teiskontie public transport minor for the network of flying squirrels in the city centre of Tampere. bridge will weaken the growth area of the protected Epipactis helle- The weak ecological connections between Kalevanharju–Aarikkala and Iidesjärvi–Kirkkosuonnotko can be developed with planting during the tramline project.

According to the current plan, the tramline of the second implemen- tation phase will use the current road network, which means that the impacts on the natural environment will be minor.

The impacts of the tramline option by 2040 The eastbound route of the tramline towards Koilliskeskus will run along the southern edge of Kauppi–, the most significant nature site in the city centre. The travel routes of the flying squirrel 41

Image: The location of the Hervanta canyon in an aerial photograph 2016. Image: Sensitive natural areas and the most significant ecological connections in the bus option. from the Kauppi–Niihama area south to the chain of green areas in The contaminated soil on the tramline and in its vicinity will be purified The land use changes of constructing the tramline will reduce the the rift valley of Iidesjärvi–Kaukajärvi must be secured. The tramline as required by environmental authorities. Therefore, the construction carbon stock of the vegetation and soil, and the project requires more from the city centre south to Pirkkala via Hatanpää would use the of the tramline will reduce the adverse effects of contaminated soil. new bridge and embankment structures. The carbon balance effect current road network, whereupon the direct impacts on the natural of land use in the tramline project and the emissions caused by tran- environment are minor. The line would cut , one of the most sporting soil and rock will be compensated as early as in the first year significant green connections running from east to west in the city Energy and material efficiency of operation with the reduction of emissions from traffic. The capa- centre. According to current information, the –Ylöjärvi line city of a tram is about triple that of bus equipment. On the basis of does not feature significant nature sites.I The material and eco-efficiency of the options and the preparations the working life and capacity of the equipment, about 225 buses are for the changes and impacts created by climate change were investi- required to achieve the service level of 25 trams. From the perspective The impacts of the bus option in 2025 and 2040 gated in a separate survey. The overall lifespan of the project, i.e. the of energy efficiency in traffic, the implementation of a tramline will In the bus option, the construction of the road network will have planning, construction, operation and maintenance, was examined. support the strategic environmental goals of the city, i.e. reduce the some impacts on plants, animals and nature sites. The most significant The survey covered land use, street and bridge structures, soil and energy consumption and emissions of traffic. impacts will occur during the construction phase. In addition, indi- rock as well as equipment procurements. Recommendations were rect impacts may occur from runoff water, noise and dust. The lines given on the basis of the survey to improve material and energy effi- of the bus option follow the route of the tramline, utilising the current ciency in the further planning and implementation of the project. road network as much as possible. The most significant environme- ntal impacts are directed at areas where additional lanes, new street connections and bridges are to be built.

The impacts of the bus option on the Hervanta canyon area and Paasi- kiventie are greater than those of the tramline option. The tramline depot would not be implemented but more depot space is required 42 for buses, including diesel stores and, later, charging points for electric buses. Depot solutions are unknown at the time of writing. No construction is planned in Tohtoripuisto and Ramppipuisto in the bus option, which means that the option would not affect nature in these areas.

Contaminated soil

A number of properties with potentially contaminated soil or waste in the ground are situated on the tramline or in its vicinity. The targets have been mapped using geographic equipment on the route in accor- dance with the general plan of the tramline. Contaminated soil has been studied in further detail in the soil surveys of the first imple- mentation phase. This will also be carried out in connection with the second implementation phase and other tramline routes.

Korkinmäki, the south bank of Vihioja, contains about 1,000–2,000 square metres of soil that has been strongly contaminated with heavy metals. In addition, the area has been found to contain petroleum hydrocarbons and mixed waste fill. The City of Tampere will renovate Image: Comparison of the options on the basis of working life and capacity (Tampereen raitiotiehankkeen materiaali- ja the area in the autumn of 2016. energiatehokkuus sekä ilmastomuutoksen vaikutukset 2016 report).