Recycled plastics to feature in Melbourne tram platforms

Recycled plastics from kerbside waste will be used to create tram stops, making Melbourne’s tram network more sustainable.

The project The Development of Next Generation Tram Stop Platforms Using Recycled Materials project will develop ways to turn recycled plastics into modular components that are ‘fit-for-purpose’ for the construction of future tram stop platforms across Melbourne.

The modular designs will incorporate hollow drainage features, providing an environmentally sustainable solution while also minimising the effects of severe flash flooding.

The designs will also ensure greater accessibility for those living with disability and cause minimal disruption to traffic during construction.

The project is a partnership with Monash University’s Institute of Railway Technology, Yarra Trams, Integrated Recycling and Advanced Circular Polymer.

Integrated Recycling will manufacture, and trial modular elements of tram stop platforms for testing and prototyping purposes.

Advanced Circular Polymer will supply the recycled plastic mix recovered from kerbside waste collections that will be used for the production of the base material in the tram stop platforms.

The project was recently awarded $300,000 by the Recycling Victoria Research and Development Fund – Materials. It is being delivered by Sustainability Victoria on behalf of the Victorian Government.

Director of the Monash Institute of Railway Technology, Professor Ravi Ravitharan said the project would help to identify the performance of recycled material in infrastructure projects.

“Our team of researchers will look at a number of suitable options of recycled materials that can be manufactured into a prototype which will then be trial assembled, and load tested at the Institute of Railway Technology laboratories,” he said.

“The development will consider recycled rubber for damping components as well as reinforcement options to achieve the intended design concept.

Melbourne’s tram network is the largest in the world consisting of 24 routes, stretching 250 kilometres with more than 1,750 tram stops.

To learn more about the project, click here.