Landscape Architectural Design Projects
Having successfully completed both Luas Red and Green Lines, with more Luas and Metro projects to come over the future years it is extremely important for RPA to have a logical design structure for these projects concerning Landscape Architectural Design implementation. Below is a detailed view of how we approach the ever increasing demands on designing landscapes within the urban and transport environments.
Luas Stop Locations
Stops are located within their unique urban or suburban context and the design of the stops and surroundings shall ensure that:
there is ease of access to the stops;
- the stops are located an appropriate distance apart to serve the area;
- surfacing and circulation in the stop vicinity account for the main pedestrian and cycle routes.
Luas Stop Context
The design for the stops shall provide an environment and stop layout that is convenient, safe, easily maintained and attractive to passengers, neighbouring residents and takes account of the following factors:
- site context – existing buildings, roads, footpaths and landscape;
- proximity to other modes of transport;
- ease of pedestrian movement across the site;
- provision for cyclists – integrated cycle paths and bicycle parking;
- pedestrian crossings – protection from vehicular traffic;
- quality workmanship for all products and quality stop finishes;
- practical guidelines relating to furniture layout at all stops;
- car and taxi drop-off areas – vehicular accessibility to and from the stop and adjacent areas within the scope of works;
- parking areas – the provision of park and ride facilities;
- soft landscape (planting) and surfacing is designed so as to enhance the immediate environment;
- safety, security and visibility;
- proximity to urban / community centres
Hard Landscape Surfacing
The surfacing of each area of tramway includes the following main forms and functions of surfacing:
- surfacing along the tramway;
- surfacing adjacent to the tramway;
- swept path delineation strategies to be employed along the tramway are a mix of both surface treatments and landscape elements.
Each of these categories may occur in the same stretch of tramway, but the materials used in the surfacing vary from context to context. Detailed design of the tramway and adjacent traffic issues determines the final design and construction. The following is a guide to surfacing types rather than material employed. The final choice of material used in finishing the surface is submitted and approved by RPA Architects & Landscape Architects
Tramway Surfacing
Tramway surfacing is designed to combine two main elements, as follows:
- surfaces on street;
- surfaces on adjacent areas
Surfaces on Street
Tramway surfaces on street are further divided for design and construction into shared running and segregated running. On street tramways are shared running, where other vehicular traffic is permitted to use the tramway, including situations where traffic and delivery access only is permitted. All road crossings are on-street shared running by nature and will be surfaced accordingly, with road construction standards.
An on-street tramway is segregated, where no traffic is permitted to share the tramway, except under supervision and/or by emergency services. On segregated running sections the surface options are varied and include coloured imprinted in situ concrete with appropriate surface texture, pattern and finish or embedded natural stone sets as a rough hewn 100 mm cube set in appropriate bedding for the location (depending on traffic access permitted).
Surfaces for Adjacent Areas
Surface design of areas adjacent to the tramway ensures that the tram swept path is delineated in a permanent manner. The swept path treatments vary depending on the Tramway Classification, track type, adjacent environment.