The Bybanen Principle – An Open Solution

Bybanen is a tram system that runs on a separate line at street level, with right-of-way and priority at crossings. It runs at a higher speed outside the city than in the city centre. Bybanen uses mainly on-sight operation, not signals. Security is reinforced by light and open spaces along the track. Bybanen is made for shorter journeys.

A Separate Line Ensures Predictable Travel Time

Bybanen runs on a separate line. This makes for a quick and unhindered journey where you can be sure to reach your destination in time. Even though the tram runs through the dense city centre, it has priority at every crossing and right-of-way. The travel time is close to identical on every journey. The planning of the Bybanen line must ensure a sound balance between travel time and distance to the nearest stop.

Bybanen is a high-speed tram, running on an average speed of approximately 28 km/h. By comparison, the average speed for the Oslo metro is 30 km/h, the New York metro 27 km/h, and the London metro 33 km/h.

Art Along Bybanen

Bybanen has its own art programme. The Bybanen art consists of separate art projects along the entire line: electronic artworks, wall paintings, and sculptures. Further art projects will also be planned for the next construction phase.

The Design Principles Along the Line

Walls, bridges, tunnel portals, paving, edges, poles, vegetation, and terrain shaping are all part of Bybanen’s overall design principles. Every aspect is utilised to achieve an overall design for the tram and the public’s encounter with the different elements along the line.

The ‘White Line’

The ‘white line’ is the recurrent theme throughout the open landscape. The line defines Bybanen’s yards, where the tram has priority. It defines the tram’s security zone: the area reserved for Bybanen. Other road users may only cross the line in designated areas. At the stop, the ‘white line’ marks the edge of the platform, as a distinct contrast to the dark rear edge warning line. The ‘white line’ also serves as a partition between different materials, filler, and paving, thereby urbanising and streamlining the trackway throughout the city and the landscape.

Varied Paving

Paving and track types differ according to the features of the surrounding landscape. The design manual defines where the different types of paving are to be used. Trackway paving is always differentiated from the surrounding paving, clearly indicating the line’s path. A special paving marks crossings for pedestrians and vehicles.

Bicycle Paths and Walkways

The construction of Bybanen contributes to the development of the cycle network in Bergen. A network of bicycle paths is established along the tramline. Spaces for bicycle parking are built by the stops. New walkways are constructed around the stops to make pedestrian access easier.

Part of the Bybanen Brand

The exterior and interior of the vehicles are included in the overall design principles for Bybanen, a feature which enhances comfort, openness, and simplicity. The vehicles are universally designed to attend to all user groups. Every stop has step-free access, the colouring in the vehicles shows where the doors open, and interior sound- and light signals make orientation easier.

Décor

The vehicles have decorations in the ceiling. The variety of expressions adds to the travel experience.

In connection with the decoration of the new vehicles, the schools and kindergartens in Bergen were invited to submit drawings, illustrating the concept ‘Our Tram’. We received thousands of great drawings, which were combined in three different ceiling decorations in nine tram sets.

Main photo: Bergen kommune / Christine Hvidsten, Francisco Munoz, Atle Kårstad
Photo collages: Francisco Munoz, Bybanen Utbygging
Illustrations: Arkitektgruppen Cubus