{"id":7035,"date":"2020-11-10T09:00:08","date_gmt":"2020-11-10T07:00:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tampereenratikka.fi\/?p=7035"},"modified":"2020-11-24T10:01:49","modified_gmt":"2020-11-24T08:01:49","slug":"tampere-tramway-comes-to-hameenkatu-and-pyynikintori-for-the-first-time","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tampereenratikka.fi\/en\/tampere-tramway-comes-to-hameenkatu-and-pyynikintori-for-the-first-time\/","title":{"rendered":"Tampere Tramway comes to H\u00e4meenkatu and Pyynikintori for the first time"},"content":{"rendered":"

Tampere Tramway comes to H\u00e4meenkatu and Pyynikintori for the first time<\/strong><\/h1>\n

Tampere Tramway\u2019s test runs in the city centre area will continue on 15 November. For the first time ever, the tram will be moving on H\u00e4meenkatu and Pirkankatu \u2013 all the way to Pyynikintori. Sunday\u2019s test runs will be performed between 10 am and 2 pm, while the aim on other days is to perform test runs between 9 am and 3 pm. The test runs will continue in the city centre until 27 November. Some tests will involve using two cars at the same time. During Sunday\u2019s test runs, there will be partial detours for bus traffic in the city centre and the bus stops on H\u00e4meenkatu will not be in use.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"
You can spot the Tampere tram car on H\u00e4meenkatu for the first time on Sunday 15 November 2020. The illustration was created for Tampere Tramway Ltd by Idis Design Oy and Skyfox.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Next Sunday will be a historic moment for Tampere as test runs for the Tampere Tramway come to the city\u2019s main street for the first time ever. The tram car will begin by moving slowly \u2013 at a speed of around 5 km per hour \u2013 on H\u00e4meenkatu and Pirkankatu and traffic controller will be present to ensure traffic safety. The test runs will start on Sunday in order to minimise the disturbance to other traffic.<\/p>\n

\u2013 Now that we\u2019re coming to the city centre, it\u2019s a good time to remind people about traffic safety. The traffic environment on H\u00e4meenkatu and Pirkankatu has changed since completion of the tramway. The streets now have tram crossings and crosswalks, states Project Engineer\u00a0Niina Uolamo<\/strong>\u00a0from Tampere Tramway Ltd.<\/p>\n

Trams and car traffic must yield at crosswalks, most of which are controlled by lights on H\u00e4meenkatu and Pirkankatu. In this new situation, there are no crosswalk markings at the tram crossings, many of which are located where crosswalks used to be. Pedestrians and cyclists must yield at these crossings.<\/p>\n

\u2013 It\u2019s a good idea for everyone to review the new traffic rules before actual tram operations begin. The Tampere Tramway website has a lot of information about tramway traffic rules and traffic safety, suggests Uolamo.<\/p>\n

Testing of track infrastructure and cars will continue all winter<\/strong><\/h2>\n

During the first test runs on H\u00e4meenkatu and Pirkankatu, the functionality of the entire track and its technical systems will be comprehensively tested. The Tramway Alliance will test the driveability of the tracks, turnouts and overhead contact lines as well as the visibility of traffic signs, traffic lights and signals, intersections and crosswalks. Other work will include adjusting traffic lights as well as testing the permitted operating speed and turnout control.<\/p>\n

The tram car will be driven at walking speed, after which the speed will gradually be increased. In the future, test runs at the tram\u2019s operating speed will be done on the entire section and on all tramway streets. The maximum speed is 20 km\/hour on H\u00e4meenkatu and 40 km\/hour on Pirkankatu.<\/p>\n

\u2013 In addition to test runs performed with one car in the city centre, we\u2019ll be doing test runs with two cars on the entire section between the depot and Pyynikintori. Those tests are intended to check the reach of the cars\u2019 exterior elements and the functioning of traffic and warning lights. During the test runs involving two cars, traffic controllers will have to temporarily halt traffic. Later in the winter, we\u2019ll also be performing test runs with several cars operating simultaneously, explains Project Engineer Petra Brunnila<\/strong> from the Tramway Alliance.<\/p>\n

On weekdays, the aim is to perform test runs outside rush hour, but transfers from the depot to the test run area may also take place during rush hour. The tram car is already a familiar sight, particularly in Hervanta and on Hervannan valtav\u00e4yl\u00e4, and it moves smoothly among other traffic. Test runs and tram car tests will continue throughout the winter in different conditions.<\/p>\n

\u2013 The progress of the test runs and more detailed schedules depend on the success of the tests. That means some changes are possible. We hope that tram watchers will remember to be patient and cautious in traffic. It\u2019s also important to maintain the required physical distances in this coronavirus era, notes Uolamo.<\/p>\n

Up-to-date information about the progress of the test runs is available from Tampere Tramway Ltd and Tramway Alliance channels.<\/p>\n

Make sure you understand the traffic rules for a tramway city<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Traffic controllers will be ensuring the flow of traffic during test runs on H\u00e4meenkatu and Pirkankatu on Sunday and Monday 15\u201316 November. This means that other road users must obey the signals given by the traffic controllers \u2013 also when the traffic lights are on. After guidance from the traffic controllers ends, the traffic rules and light signals for the tramway area will be observed.<\/p>\n

The test runs will cause some detours in bus routes on Sunday. The bus stops on H\u00e4meenkatu will not be in use between 10 am and 2 pm on Sunday 15 November during the test runs. More detailed information about changes in public transport is available at\u00a0Tampere Region Public Transport (Nysse)<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Signs will also be put up in the area to remind people about the ongoing test runs. The tram car will travel along the section between the depot and Itsen\u00e4isyydenkatu underpass according to traffic rules, so traffic controllers will not be present there on Sunday or Monday.<\/p>\n

The Tampere Tramway traffic safety website<\/a>\u00a0contains plenty of general information about the tramway traffic rules as well as diagrams for vehicle traffic, pedestrians and cyclists. The website also has many animations to provide guidance concerning traffic rules.<\/p>\n

Tramway maintenance work is part of the daily routine in a tramway city<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Tampere Tramway\u2019s Maintenance Alliance ensures that the tramway can operate safety and according to plan. Tramway maintenance work is performed both during the day and at night. Work is done at night so the tram cars can operate during the daytime.<\/p>\n

Maintenance work on H\u00e4meenkatu and Pirkankatu began with washing the track grooves and the street. During the night between Monday and Tuesday, the rail and line drains were flushed and washed and the turnouts were lubricated.<\/p>\n

Traffic light tests will be performed in the area on Tuesday, also using a Unimog, which is a special work machine that moves on the tracks. Grinding of the rails will take place at the end of the week and, for example, turnout operation will be tested. Signs about the upcoming test runs will also be installed.<\/p>\n

\u2013 We perform night work between approximately 10 pm and 6 am, while daytime work takes place between 8 am and 4 pm. Maintenance work can cause a certain amount of noise, mostly from the pressuring washing equipment. During rail grinding work, we drive from one end of the work area to the other so the disturbances are short. However, we have to drive past some properties several times, so we apologise for any inconvenience that this might cause. We hope that residents and road users will understand and exercise caution, says Project Manager Santeri Heinonkoski<\/strong> from the Maintenance Alliance.<\/p>\n

Further information:<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Niina Uolamo
\n<\/strong>Test Run Coordinator, Project Engineer
\nTampere Tramway Ltd
\nTel. +358 (0)40\u00a0556 4064 (after 4 pm on test run days)
\nniina.uolamo (at) tampereenraitiotie.fi<\/p>\n

Pekka Sirvi\u00f6
\n<\/strong>CEO
\nTampere Tramway Ltd
\nTel. +358 (0)40 334 5798
\npekka.sirvio (at) tampereenraitiotie.fi<\/p>\n

Read the Tampere Tramway traffic safety material:<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Traffic safety<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n