Tenerife

Located in the volcanic Canary Islands, the establishment of a light rail system presented a range of challenges:

• design a network in a very constrained environment: average continuous slope of 5%, very narrow streets,
• tackle a growing population coupled with an ever-increasing number of private cars across the city in order to avoid government expectation of gridlock on the metropolitan area's roads by 2012,
• create minimum disturbance to the local community.

• Master technical difficulties of up to 8.5% gradients in construction and operation.
• Drive modal share and transform mobility patterns.
• Demonstrate reliability and quality for the tramway project, the very first step of an ambitious mobility and rail development plan.

• Extensive feasibility study phases and population mapping to ensure the most efficient network.
• Plan and design tracks and electrical infrastructure over 5-9% inclines.
• Veolia Transdev's company, Transdata worked throughout the conception and construction phases to provide an operational management system and IT backbone fit for the highest standards of operational quality.

• Tenerife's light rail maintenance depot produces 900 kilowatts of electricity, representing 16% of the system's energy requirements.
• To conserve energy, regenerative brake technology saves 30% more than conventional braking systems.

• At peak hour frequency, trams run 5 every minutes across the double track lines.
• Services right through the night on Fridays and Saturdays have proved popular.
• Real-time passenger information, clear multi-lingual signage and instructions, adapted to assist every one to take the light rail.
• Extensive redesigning of urban space has created new pedestrian areas.

• The light rail is equipped with on-board Wi-Fi Internet for the convenience and comfort of the passengers.
• Clear audio information traces the stations along the route and is also available on screens.
• The system is completely accessible for people with reduced mobility.