New Grass Mixtures are Being Tested on Prague Tram Lines

Researchers from the Research Institute of Plant Production and other organizations, together with the Transport Company of the Capital City (DPP), are testing new grass mixtures which they hope will be resistant to extreme weather conditions.

The main goal is to find a perfect mixture that will be less demanding on maintenance and water consumption.

DPP costs irrigation of grassed lines, with an area of ​​111,000 square meters, about 1.5 million CZK a year, said DPP board member and technical director Jan Šurovský.

“If the joint research project succeeded in testing and developing grass mixtures that are truly resistant to extreme conditions, especially drought, this would not only mean a significant reduction in water consumption and maintenance costs for us but would ultimately meet 100 percent all urban and environmental properties that are expected of them,” said Šurovský.

According to project coordinator Vojtěch Holubec, grasses, clover and other plants used in green carpets in Bělohorská Street come from hardy plants that researchers have collected at extreme locations in the Czech Republic.

At the Drinopol and U Kaštanu tram stops, scientists will test carpet variants for both sunny and shady habitats.

According to Šurovský, there are about 16 kilometers of tram tracks in Prague with a grassy surface.

DPP spends about 1.5 million CZK a year on irrigation.

If there were grass belts in the existing mixtures on all sections of tram lines, watering the DPP would cost about six million crowns a year.

The transport company of the capital is the largest carrier providing public transport in the Czech Republic.

It serves 142 bus lines, one trolleybus line, 25 day and nine-night tram lines and three metro lines.