The route connects the dense suburbs with the business district in Port Louis.
Mauritius Metro Express is a Light Rail Transit System designed and built by Larsen & Toubro Limited (L&T), India and operated by Metro Express Ltd (MEL) Mauritius. The alignment connects the dense suburbs at Curepipe, Quatre Borne, Rosehill, to the business district in Port Louis (Phases 1 & 2). This 26 km route includes 19 stations (two elevated) and connects major bus interchanges to enable a multimodal urban transit solution. Besides connecting the arterial route from Curepipe to Port Louis, the route also connects the eastern suburbs thru Cybercity, University Campus and Reduit (3.5km Phase 3).
The ‘Track to Train’ project includes 100% low floor Light Rail Vehicles (LRVs), construction of viaducts & bridges, installation of track works, DC electric traction power supply systems, ticket vending and validating systems, passenger information system, and integration with road traffic through advanced signaling systems. A state-of-the-art depot at Richelieu enables stabling provision for over 32 LRVs and light & heavy maintenance workshop facilities. The facility also houses the administrative building, training and simulation facility and operations control centre.
Methodology
The project involves various track forms to ensure minimal maintenance and noise and vibration mitigation. This includes ballasted on grade separated sections and depot (32 TKm), ‘non grade separated’ areas (20 Tkm) and resilient track system like ‘plinth type’ for viaducts and bridges (9 Tkm).
Towards validating the NAV values in actual conditions, L&T engaged VCE to assess ground-borne noise and vibration (GBNV) and airborne noise (ABN) in Phases 1, 2 and 3 of the project (Curepipe to Victoria 26 km and Rosehill to Reduit of 3.4 km).
VCE’s scope included a detailed assessment of GBNV and ABN for the extension of the network according to the local regulations. Details on local geology and structural dynamics were assessed to predict the noise and vibration impact in buildings located near the track.
