Tim Bilby, UKTram Stakeholder and Innovation Manager, recently represented the organisation at an online seminar hosted by the Institution of Civil Engineers West Midlands (Coventry and Warwickshire branch) and the Railway Civil Engineers Association, which looked at the Coventry Very Light Rail project.
The session was led by Dr Christopher Micaellef, Track Systems Programme Lead at Coventry City Council, who gave details on the design, testing, and development of the CVLR track system. He also explained the challenge of the project – relating to target track build cost per kilometre – he had set out to meet, supported using battery powered vehicles rather than overhead line equipment.
He went on to describe how he had innovatively designed a solution, highlighting the role of Ultra High-Performance concrete in achieving cost and construction efficiencies. The system’s economic case demonstrates how Very Light Rail could deliver the benefits of light rail to towns, not only cities, where traditional tram systems may be too expensive.
Tim Bilby commented: “Dr Christoper Micaellef gave an excellent update on the work to date developing CVLR, not just as a solution for Coventry, but something that can potentially benefit existing light rail systems for easier and cheaper renewals and unlock new-build VLR schemes in other locations. UKTram will be working with the Coventry City Council team to support this sector opportunity.”