Deutsche Bahn AG / Wolfgang Klee

Respect to Landscape

HSL will further expand green rail transport. In the Czech Republic, the VRT network will be used mainly for passenger transport. Aside from freight trains, space will be freed up on existing lines for new regional services, especially around major cities. More frequent service may attract passengers who had previously chosen to drive onto trains.
Every infrastructure development project affects its surroundings in some way. That is why the design of the new VRT itself, like other projects, is undergoing an environmental impact assessment. Several times over, as a matter of fact. First, during the feasibility study, when a suitable route is selected. Then, when updating the regional spatial planning documentation, spatial development principles (ZÚR), when the environmental impact assessment (SEA) of the concept is prepared. Finally, an environmental impact assessment (EIA) is carried out during the preparation of the detailed technical proposal.

Route Planning

High-Speed Lines are designed to impact as few protected features in the landscape as possible. These are for the most part linear preservation elements (e.g. migration corridors), which cannot be avoided. In these cases, large crossings – ecoducts – are proposed to allow the passage of animals and visitors in the landscape.
The High-Speed Line must be fenced for operational safety reasons and must not have any level crossings. The proposed routes include overpasses and underpasses, the location of which we consult with local authorities.

Few Examples of VRT Integration

Landscape design for the planned High-Speed Line in Praha-Běchovice.

Measures Against Noise 

All feasibility studies and related documentation include a detailed assessment of potential noise pollution impact on the surrounding area. The HSL is a new-build railway line for which national legislation requires a maximum equivalent noise level of 55 dB during the day and 50 dB at night.
This is a much stricter limit than existing lines or motorways have to meet. The noise measurement scale is logarithmic, which in practice means that a drop of 2–3 dB results in a noise reduction of about one half.
Vibrations or structural noise must also be taken into account. 
Find out more about noise and vibration control here.

Protection of Water and Water Sources

The technical design of the route must respect the hydrogeological conditions of the area. Nevertheless, it is not possible to cover all potential influences at the level of the basic design. A hydrogeological survey is therefore carried out. An analysis must be made not only of conditions in the area but also of runoff conditions during extreme rainfall events.
In the technical design solution, this is reflected in several places. In the case of tunnel construction, sealing of the tunnel lining is proposed with local conditions in mind. In the case of earthworks (especially cuttings), the correct slope form and drainage dimensions are proposed.
In the event that a water source is affected, and a technical measure cannot be implemented, the establishment of a replacement water source may also be part of the HSL construction.

Respect for the Environment and the Landscape

The line is integrated into the landscape character so as not to disturb it in any way. Thanks to the designed interaction elements, the resulting buildings are environmentally friendly. These include linear and barrier greenery, hedgerows, green belts, retention biotopes or soakaway parking pavements, which can have a major impact on the microclimate and water cycle in the landscape.