The metro of the future
Innovation as a discipline
Since the first driverless trains in Europe hit the tracks in Copenhagen in 2002, Metroselskabet has been working on new solutions to create efficient and reliable world-class public transport for the capital's residents and visitors. Innovation is a culture and a discipline that cuts across all departments at Metroselskabet, and we have an ambition to build state-of-the-art solutions so that all projects are attractive from the day they are put into use, thanks to innovative thinking and advanced technology.
Innovative solutions are best created through collaboration. For several years, we have been engaged in an outreach and intensive market dialogue with contractors, consultants, manufacturers, knowledge institutions, and many others who, together with us, can challenge practices in the transport, construction, and civil engineering industries and push the boundaries of what we can achieve in future projects. In this way, we create the greatest possible social value with the smallest possible climate footprint.
Metroselskabet has several ongoing projects where a combination of challenging concept design, new contract and incentive structures, and a focus on methods and material consumption will contribute to our ambition of halving the CO2 footprint of all new projects. On this page, you can see a few examples of how we are working with different solutions that can help us achieve our goals.
Innovation study: New design for viaducts
On elevated sections of the existing M1 and M2 lines, there are several viaducts designed with two independent concrete columns – one for each track. In innovation studies, we have worked with several designs to replace and reduce the amount of materials – thereby reducing costs and the carbon footprint.
In one version of a new design, the two independent concrete columns have been retained, but a supporting layer of concrete under the tracks has been replaced with wood. In another design, the two columns have been combined into a single column with a different design, which can then support both sets of rails on the same column. Neither of the two solutions has yet been decided for a project, and other designs are also on the drawing board. But identifying possible new solutions is the first step toward reducing CO2 emissions in the future. Final solutions will only be decided once the turnkey contract has been awarded and the viaducts have been finalized.
Innovation study: Tunnel boring machine started from the surface
Tunnel boring machines have traditionally been assembled at the bottom of a deep shaft and then set to work drilling in a horizontal position far below ground. The rationale has been that when the tunnel boring machine is working at depth, the ground is typically more stable and more stable conditions can be achieved during the drilling work.
The innovation study investigated whether tunnel boring machines can be started closer to the surface, which provides better opportunities to utilize the urban space above with its hilly terrain, instead of a deep shaft that would take up more space both above and below ground and at the same time mean a high CO2 footprint and high costs associated with excavation and shoring. The study examines the sustainability of the solution in connection with another study that will show whether the route and stations can be located in higher soil layers, which would also save additional CO2 and money by not having to dig so deep. No solutions have yet been decided for a project, and other designs are also on the drawing board. But identifying possible new solutions is the first step toward reducing CO2 emissions in the future. Final solutions will only be decided once the turnkey contract has been awarded and the viaducts have been finalized.