edge bridges the gap between the tram and the platform in Florence

Facts

• Location: Florence, Italy
• Products: edge
• Length/quantity: 2x 42 m per station, 15 stations
• Conditions: Granite platform edges

Advantages

• Profiled rubber for barrier-free boarding and alighting, while protecting vehicles and sliding steps
• Customizable to your individual requirements
• Allows buses to stop and operate at tram stations
• Quick and easy installation

Project description

With the launch of the new Tram Line 1, the Tuscan cultural metropolis of Florence set a decisive course toward a more ecological future, replacing a public transport system that had previously relied entirely on diesel buses.
The completion of this first of three planned lines, which began operation in early 2010, brought with it a particular challenge: the design of the platform edges. In keeping with the historical and aesthetic aspirations of the region, these are made of high-quality granite stone.

To ensure passengers could board the trams safely and comfortably, the remaining gap between the vehicle and the granite platform edge had to be reliably closed. The solution called for a material that was not only strong enough to support the weight of passengers, but also elastic enough to act as a resilient buffer between the approaching tram and the solid granite stone.

With its edge system, KRAIBURG STRAIL delivered the ideal solution to meet these complex requirements. The specially designed profiles were installed along all 15 stops of Line 1, where they perform a dual function:

1. Gap closure and safety: edge reliably closes the critical gap. This eliminates the risk of passengers getting caught or stepping in and ensures a low-barrier boarding.
   
2. Cushioning effect: The durable material acts as a “cushion”, protecting the valuable granite platform edges from light contact with incoming trams.

What initially began as a purely functional solution quickly became an integral part of Florence’s modern transport infrastructure. Its success was so compelling that the edge system has since been specified as the standard solution for the two additional tram lines currently in the planning phase.