Green Tramway Tracks Vienna

This research project, titled “Green Tracks Vienna,” examines the vegetative and hydraulic development of green tram tracks under extreme urban conditions. It is being conducted by the Institute of Engineering Biology and Landscape Architecture at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU). Here is a summary of the key points: Core Objectives and Research Questions The project aims to determine how tram tracks in Vienna can be permanently and ecologically soundly greened. The focus is on the following questions: Substrate development: What composition is suitable as a base layer for greening? Plant selection: Which species can survive the extreme growing conditions in the track bed and form a permanent, biodiverse cover? Vegetation dynamics: How do targeted seedings develop, and which species establish themselves spontaneously? Hydraulics: How does the substrate’s infiltration capacity (infiltration rate) change over time? Work steps (work packages) Implementation will take place in four structured phases: 1. Development of a structural substrate: Analysis of raw materials and creation of an optimized mixture 2. Seed mixture: Development of a special mixture of grasses, herbs, and succulents for the Pannonian region. 3. Vegetation monitoring: Regular assessment of species composition and coverage. 4. Infiltration monitoring: Measurement of drainage capacity