Vienna expands green tram track network to combat urban heat

Vienna is expanding its green tram track infrastructure, with Wiener Linien set to construct an additional 600 meters of tracks this year. The project is expected to be completed by the end of October.

Currently, the city has approximately 12 kilometers of green tracks. This network includes 8.5 kilometers of grass tracks, roughly two kilometers of perforated plates with greenery, and nearly two kilometers planted with sedum, a drought-resistant plant. The new sections will be implemented across several tram lines, including lines 1, 11, 18, and 71.

These green tracks serve multiple environmental purposes: they absorb and store rainwater, help cool the urban environment through evaporation during hot summer days, bind dust, and can assist in reducing noise pollution. City Councilor Ulli Sima noted that these tracks create additional green spaces in densely built areas.

To combat increasing summer heat, Wiener Linien is increasingly utilizing sedum. This low-growing plant forms dense carpets and is highly effective at storing water in its leaves, making it ideal for the demanding conditions of tram infrastructure. Alexandra Reinagl, Director of Wiener Linien, stated that the possibility of green tracks is being evaluated for all new tram projects and modernizations, provided the tracks operate on independent tracks without shared space with cars or buses.