Sassari’s surface level metro is a transport system constructed by Ansaldo
STS as part of a temporary consortium of companies together with Condotte
(civil engineering work) and Ventura (rail tracks). The line has been in
operation for passengers since October 2006 and is managed by Ferrovie della
Sardegna.
Ansaldo STS carried out the design, supply and installation of electrical rail
systems comprising an electrical conversion sub-station, overhead line,
monitoring and control system, traffic light systems and telecommunications
systems. It also supplied rolling stock acquired from Ansaldobreda.
The vehicles in question are narrow-gauge, bi-directional trams, 28 metres in
length, with a low floor for easy boarding by passengers. The Sirio trams,
which also have a movable step for disabled access, have four doors on each
side, 34 seats and standing room for 162 people.
This high-speed, guided transport system runs at ground level on reserved lanes
or shared lanes with road traffic. Compared to traditional tramways, it enables
higher commercial speeds and capacities thanks to the protection of its lanes,
which reduces the system’s interference with the other road traffic and
pedestrians.
The system was designed with the aim of maximising transport capacity and
commercial speed, and minimising maintenance costs, environmental impact, noise
and vibrations.
The first stretch is 2.4 km long. This stretch runs through an urban area that
includes frequent junctions with ordinary roads, and has a paved track and
grooved rails. It also runs through a non-urban area, with railway-type track
on ballast without junctions with ordinary roads. In addition, it runs through
a suburban area where the track is predominantly protected and constructed with
the rail tracks on top of ballast, paved if necessary to allow junctions with
ordinary roads.
There are plans in the short term to assign new tranches of the project for the
construction of a 9 km extension of the line in the suburbs of Sassari, and for
the implementation of the rolling stock.
