Conditions for the Sustainable Development of Underground Transport in the Ljubljana Basin

Abstract

In Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, surface road traffic prevails and there is a strong need to free urban areas and use underground space for public transport. As a result of excessive use of combustion engines, the concentration of particulate matter and CO2 emissions in Ljubljana is high and is of public concern. For this purpose, several studies have been made in which sustainable development of underground transport has been considered as an alternative for rail, inter-rail and city traffic. The city of Ljubljana lies on quite a diverse geological substratum, consisting of alluvial and lacustrine deposits. A complex hydrogeological situation comprising a high water table and perched water supply zones located within the urban environment presents a particular challenge for underground construction. For this reason, a research study concerning the sustainable development of underground traffic in the Ljubljana Basin was carried out. The results of the study presented in the paper highlight the possible technological conditions for the development of underground transport with a particular emphasis on sustainability and environmental impact.