Safety and operation of tramways in interaction with public space

The European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) Action TU1103 “Operation and safety of tramways in interaction with public space” aimed at contributing to improve tramway safety through improving the management of data collection and the design of their insertion into urban space. The action has shown that across all the countries involved exists a great diversity of tramway systems and safety management mechanisms. Despite this diversity, the authors have been able to reach some conclusions about the nature of safety issues, the need for relevant information and the operator's essential role. This has enabled us to lay out some practical recommendations on accident data collection, indicators and their analysis. The authors have also observed a great variety regarding the urban insertion of tramway systems. Some countries pay special attention to protection, using barriers and fences as the general way of inserting the tramway. Other countries try to get a more integrated system, with an easier coexistence with pedestrians and cyclists in the city centre, but still guaranteeing the capacity and adequate speed of the tram when running through the metropolitan area. In any case, tramway systems deal with safety issues that are very similar in all countries, and the solutions and measures applied in some places can be useful for other networks facing similar problems or implementing a new line. This Project is funded by European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST).