Aarhus light rail – Denmark

The Arhus light rail (Aarhus Letbane) is a light rail system located in Aarhus, the second most populated city in Denmark.

The first line was opened at the end of 2017 and the network continued to expand thereafter. Thus, the intercity Odder – Lisbjergskolen section opened in 2018 while the extension of the first line in the form of an intercity section towards Grenå opened in 2019. Other lines are being planned.

The fleet comprises both trams and tram-trains which can accelerate up to 100km/h outside the city.

A WIDE RANGE OF EXPERTISES

As subcontractor to our local partner COWI, SYSTRA signed a contract in October 2010 to act as technical consultant to deliver studies and construction supervision for both lines. The project started with preliminary studies and the writing of technical specifications for subsystems (power supply, track, signalling, telecommunications studies, and maintenance installation, among others).

From September 2014 until December 2017, during the construction phase, SYSTRA teams worked alongside the client Aarhus Letbane* to perform the detailed design review, construction supervision and testing and commissioning of the transport system.

THE TRAMWAY RETURNS TO DENMARK WITH SYSTRA

The new network, built 45 years after the closure of the last tramway in the country, eases daily transport, with between 12 and 16 million passengers expected annually, or around 50,000 passengers per day. If the Nordic countries like tramways (Oslo, Stockholm, or Helsinki in particular), that of Aarhus is the first new network to be put into service in the 21st century.

*Aarhus Letbane is owned 50% by the city and 50% by the Danish state and is responsible for building, operating, and maintaining the tram network.