Action TU1103 Operation and safety of tramways in interaction with public space 2011 . 2015 Analysis and Outcomes Synthesis Operation and safety of tramways in interaction with public space Analysis and Outcomes Synthesis Colophon Authors : Manuel TEIXEIRA, Joana BAPTISTA, Carlos GAÏVOTO. This synthesis is based on the full report, which was written with contributions of all participants of this COST Action (see complete list at www.tram-urban-safety.eu and at the end of this brochure). Reviewers : Laetitia FONTAINE, Dominique BERTRAND, Margarita NOVALES, Matus SUCHA, David WALMSLEY, Johannes YEZBEK. Version : Final Date : September, 2015 Contact : E-mail : [email protected] Website : www.tram-urban-safety.eu COST is supported by the EU Framework Programme TU1103 Action final report Horizon 2020 September 2015 COST Foreword This publication is supported by COST. COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology) is a pan-European intergo- vernmental framework. Its mission is to enable break-through scientific and techno- logical developments leading to new concepts and products and thereby contribute to strengthening Europe’s research and innovation capacities. It is the oldest and widest European intergovernmental network for cooperation in research. Established by the Ministerial Conference in November 1971, COST allows researchers, engineers and scho- lars to jointly develop their own ideas and take new initiatives across all fields of science and technology, while promoting multi- and interdisciplinary approaches. COST aims at fostering a better integration of less research intensive countries to the knowledge hubs of the European Research Area. The COST Association, an International not-forprofit Association under Belgian Law, integrates all management, governing and administrative functions necessary for the operation of the framework. The COST Association has currently 36 Member Countries. The funds provided by COST - less than 1 % of the total value of the projects - support the COST cooperation networks (COST Actions) through which, with EUR 30 million per year, more than 30 000 European scientists are involved in research having a total value which exceeds EUR 2 billion per year. This is the financial worth of the European added value, which COST achieves. A « bottom up approach » (the initiative of launching a COST Action comes from the European scientists themselves), « à la carte participation » (only countries interested in the Action participate), « equality of access » (participation is open also to the scientific communities of countries not belonging to the European Union) and « flexible structure » (easy implementation and light management of the re- search initiatives) are the main characteristics of COST. As precursor of advanced multi- disciplinary research COST has a very important role for the realisation of the European Research Area (ERA) anticipating and complementing the activities of the Framework Programmes, constituting a « bridge » towards the scientific communities of emerging countries, increasing the mobility of researchers across Europe and fostering the esta- blishment of « Networks of Excellence » in many key scientific domains such as : Bio- medicine and Molecular Biosciences ; Food and Agriculture ; Forests, their Products and Services ; Materials, Physical and Nanosciences ; Chemistry and Molecular Sciences and Technologies ; Earth System Science and Environmental Management ; Information and Communication Technologies ; Transport and Urban Development ; Individuals, Societies, Cultures and Health. It covers basic and more applied research and also addresses issues of pre-normative nature or of societal importance. For further information, http://www.cost.eu. COST is supported by the EU Framework Programme Horizon 2020. The Legal notice by COST Association : Neither the COST Association nor any person acting on its behalf is responsible for the use that might be made of the information contained in this publication. The COST As- sociation is not responsible for the external websites referred to in this publication. COST Action TU1103 - Operation and safety of tramways in interaction with public space 2 What is COST? COST is a unique means for European researchers, engineers and scholars to jointly develop their own ideas and new initiatives across all fields of science and technology through trans‐European networking of nationally funded research activities. COST is the oldest and widest European intergovernmental network for cooperation in research. http://www.cost.eu What is Action TU1103 about? COST Action TU1103 “Operation and safety of tramways in interaction with public space” deals with the improvement of tramway and Light Rail Transit (LRT) safety through a better management of their insertion into urban spaces, and therefore with the minimization of accidents and their impacts on both the transport system and society. The Action enables a better understanding of tramway safety issues in urban areas, and the sharing of potential solutions across European cities. How has the Action been built? The first Work Phase (WP1) report dealt with what exists in Europe (regulations, indicators, and layouts). The following Work Phases 2 and 3 of this Action dealt with best practices and their analysis. There are no “a priori” good/safe or bad/dangerous solutions when we talk about tramways. Each case is unique and it should be designed or adapted according to its urban environment and traffic conditions. We want to keep tramways integrated with the urban environment, not separated by fences or placed underground. COST Action TU1103 ‐ Operation and safety of tramways in interaction with public space 3 The Tramway and the City Today, tramway systems follow a new philosophy for a public transit mode, where several advantages are combined such as operating in a specific public space corridor, having priority over all modes of traffic, and having the physical and psychological comfort of travelling at ground level, enjoying the urban landscape in all its fullness. We must be conscious that tramway systems do not interact only with the cityscape. Once a tramway starts to operate, it will interact with and change the daily habits of the citizens, with the biggest impact on the street users. Knowing this, an accurate and well‐balanced integration of trams in the city will influence positively the performance, comfort and safety conditions of the system. On the other hand, tramway systems that put the focus only on the transport system or on urban design will suffer traffic stress, boosting the number of dangerous events involving cars, motorbikes, pedestrians and cyclists. So, to merge tramway performance and urban space, interactions have to be dealt with properly. Who should be concerned with improving urban tram safety? The primary cause of tram accidents is the conflict with other users of public space, in relation to their behaviour and their perception of risk. This report has two main target groups, designers (for projects) and operators (for running). It also addresses all decision makers and actors who may be concerned by interaction between tramway and urban space, at all stages of desing and operation . What are the benefits ? Keep in mind that improving tramway safety will play a part in improving road safety in general and for vulnerable road users in particular. It will also decrease operation and maintenance costs, contribute to rationalising and optimising the investment in the tramway system, improve its insertion, its safety and its efficiency and reliability, and indirectly will go in the direction of moderating the place of the car in town. COST Action TU1103 ‐ Operation and safety of tramways in interaction with public space 4 First tool: accident report in the field A homogeneous design of these documents within the operating company can assure consistent data acquisition and evaluation. The Ideal Accident Report (IAR) model/template is a suggestion, adaptable for each operator’s needs, internal and external data. It is a detailed list of pertinent data which is strongly suggested tramway operators should collect in order to: ∙ Allow post‐analysis and best understanding by operators but also researchers, ∙ Use data for evaluation for accident prevention. For many operators the use of template checklists and accident report forms has been proven successful. et! ot forg or Do n portance f crucial im l can be of . Ideal Accident Report (IAR) very detai stigations E quent inve The main task promoted by the IAR is to subse summarize the essential information for all important actors, from operators and infrastructure managers through transport Other tools to collect data authorities and research bodies to health Besides the tram accident report, there and safety departments. are other tools to collect data that can be split in “more objective tools” ‐ video images; pictures; automatic recording (black box); voice recording and tracks and traces in the incident area –and “more subjective tools”–personal information from drivers, passengers and/or witnesses; occurrence books and newspapers and other news channels. Those tools are also very important for analysing the performance of the alignment on urban insertion. COST Action TU1103 ‐ Operation and safety of tramways in interaction with public space 5 Other useful sources City planners and managers may Traffic Light have relevant information about Management vehicle and pedestrian traffic at the time of an