Photo: COWI

Developing public transport in Szeged 

Public transport in Szeged, Hungary, was the subject of a recent assessment that looked at the current infrastructure and made recommendations for its future development.

Around 50% of Szeged's 160,000 population rely on public transport, and the Municipality there felt the existing electric public transport system (tram and trolley) was in a poor condition.

With the ongoing viability of the system important, an assessment was conducted of its current state, including recommendations for its future development.
Photo: COWI
Existing tram stock in Szeged.
Image gallery


Extending reach

The need to rehabilitate and extend the tram track, an extension of the trolley network, renewal of the vehicle fleet, and improvements to traffic control and passenger information systems were just some of the study's findings.

An interesting recommendation is the provision of secure car parks and bicycle shelters to encourage 'park/bike and ride' schemes. COWI Hungary Project Consultant Tibor Vincze says, "This will extend the reach of the transport network, making it available to people living in the suburbs."

Recommendations

Final project recommendations include:

  • 16.5km of tram track rehabilitation
  • 3.4km tram track and 2 x 2.5km of new trolley track
  • replacement of 9 trams and 10 trolleys
  • depot reconstruction
  • new common transport lanes for trams and buses
  • selected green tracks from trams, where the track bed is covered by grass thus reducing noise as well as having aesthetic appeal
  • a signalised roundabout with a tram crossing, which will be one of only two in Hungary

COWI subsidiary ETC Transport Consultants GmbH advised on which types of tram track beds should be used. Computer simulations were employed in modelling the signalised roundabout.

A final draft of the study was delivered in August 2006. The Municipality will assess the study before applying to the EU for a subsidy.

By Martyn Glanville
Published: 12.10.06