The TRM project in Parma: a new trolleybus line to strengthen the local public transport system

The trolleybus in Parma is still a protagonist. After the delivery, between 2020 and 2023, of the 18 new Solaris Trollino 12 equipped with IMC ® technology, and the extension in autonomous operation of line 1 to the north car park and the Parma Mia district, it is the turn of the TRM (Trasporto Rapido di Massa) project, an initiative aimed at enhancing the public transport network, and which demonstrates how the City of Parma and TEP (the local transport company) are attentive to the present and future travel needs of their citizens-users.

TRM, what Parma’s new trolleybus network will look like

The € 70 million project envisages the construction of a new trolleybus line approximately 8 km long, the fifth in the Parma network, which will be integrated with the other four, and will certainly offer a very competitive service in line with the best European cities.

The new line will connect the railway station with the University Campus, along the north-south axis, passing along Viale Mariotti, crossing Via Emilia, then continuing along Viale Toscanini, Viale Rustici, the southern car park and the University Campus. It will thus be possible to reach the Campus from the station and the centre in a few minutes, facilitating the movements of the many students who also come from the province and other cities. The south car park will also become a hub that will allow easy interchanges with the connections of the hamlets in the southern area of Parma.

The route will be 70% in the reserved lane, with appropriate traffic lights, and a 5-minute frequency is planned, so as to guarantee a commercial speed of at least 24 km/h. New high-capacity 18-metre trolleybuses of the latest generation will be used on the line, which will allow a capacity of up to 1,700 passengers per hour. It is planned to extend the two-wire line on the new line, build new substations and adapt the TEP depot to accommodate the new trolleybuses.

In the process, the urban transport network will be further optimised. Modifications to lines 2,9,12,13,15 and 21 are planned to integrate the new service.

Structural interventions are also planned in order to create a trolleybus lane that does not interfere with private traffic, thus improving the overall efficiency of the road system and at the same time without having negative impacts on the existing road system, such as the loss of parking spaces and restrictions on private access.  In order to achieve the best result, 19 alternative scenarios were studied to evaluate the changes to be made. It is estimated that the best scenario will result in a 34% reduction in private traffic on Viale Rustici, 12% on Viale Du Tillot and 9.5% on Via Solferino.

In addition to this, a number of works are planned to improve the road system, such as the tunnel on Via Liani, which underpasses the ring road, and a new road that will allow the roundabout between the south car park and the University Campus to be crossed more quickly. The project documentation will be forwarded to the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport for inclusion in the schedule of state-funded works.

The commencement of the works shall take place within three years from the granting of the ministerial funding. The works are scheduled to be completed within the following three years.

by Stefano Alfano