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Environmental impact assessment
Environmental mitigation
Integrating railways in the natural and urban environment is not just a problem to resolve or an impact to minimise by deploying the full range of ideas and technologies, materials and advanced engineering solutions available. It may also offer an opportunity to valorise and upgrade entire areas. Approaching the question in terms of both protecting and improving the environment underpins all Italferr activities, giving the company a broad range of experience in the development of national and international standards. From routing decisions to design and construction, respect for the environment is one of Italferr's constant preoccupations in an ongoing process of development. So much so as to become an integral part of the corporate culture and one of Italferr's key points of strength.
Environmental concerns and the High Speed System
The new high speed lines have been designed to minimise the environmental impact that is inevitable when major linear infrastructures are built. Railway impact during construction and operation is the result of interference with other public networks crossed (road and water in particular), the visual impact of new works, occupation of land and generation of vibration, noise and electromagnetic fields. The high speed system line sections and junctions have been designed as an integrated system, with critical points, impact and environmental integration solutions identified during initial route definition. During project approval, design proposals are discussed in greater depth and detail with local and central administrations to ensure respect for the environmental, social and transport requirements of the areas crossed by the new lines. Particular attention has been focused on defining design choices to provide connections to the existing railway network and intermodal centers serving local and regional and freight traffic. Overall, about 10% of the investment for each line section is spent on environmental mitigation. In particularly sensitive line sections this percentage rises to 20% - more than the average in both Germany and France for high speed projects.
Main environmental mitigation techniques
Town, environment and road system re-engineering: creation of green space, woodland, parkland, landscaping and alternative road systems
Environmental mitigation:
work sites and other temporary works
Noise and vibrations:
introducing sound barriers, increased ballast thickness, sound absorbing mats
Power supply and electromagnetic fields generated
introducing the ring supply method and overhead power lines, etc.
Archaeology
Undertakes preliminary/final/operational design, and environmental monitoring activities, via coring, geophysical and geochemical exploration, archaeological research, boreholes and digs and draws up the final archaeological report. All activities are aimed at safeguarding and improving the significant national archaeological heritage.
