Costa Blanca

FGV participates in a pilot experience with laser technology to monitor the flow of travellers

Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat Valenciana (FGV) is taking part in a pilot project at the Luceros TRAM station in Alicante. This project uses LiDAR laser technology to track the movement of people in real time and without identifying anyone.

The pilot test, funded by European resources and the first of its kind in Spain’s train industry, is being carried out by Outsight, a top company in 3D perception technology, in partnership with SICE, a well-known technology integrator.

The project uses a new kind of Artificial Intelligence in 3D along with LiDAR devices at the station to gather important data. LiDAR technology uses lasers to measure distances, make 3D maps, and spot movement without identifying people.

Outsight’s program allows for the collection of information about how many people are in the station and where they move, all done anonymously. This helps create a real-time 3D computer model of the station. This allows FGV to see right away where the most people are and how long they are waiting. This helps them understand busy times and plan their resources better.

For example, the public company can track how many people are at the station at any time. They can see how many passengers enter through each entrance, how many use each turnstile, how many get on and off specific stairs, the average waiting time at vending machines, the number of people in queue at the ticket office and the average waiting time there, among other things.

This information helps FGV understand how resources are used, the busiest and quietest times of day, and the usage rates of their services. This system tracks how many passengers come in and out, giving a clear look at their behaviour at various times during the day. Occupancy density is also analysed to detect bottlenecks and suggest improvements that optimise the circulation of users.

The pilot test will run for three to four months, during which we will assess its effect on managing passengers and create thorough reports for FGV. This information will help find ways to improve and look for new partnerships to increase the use of this technology in other smart systems.

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TRAM d’Alacant will start a bus service between the Hospital Vila and Benidorm stops and will restart the straight route to Dénia tomorrow.

Starting tomorrow, Tuesday, 28 January, Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat Valenciana (FGV) will provide a bus service between the Hospital Vila and Benidorm stops on Line 1 (Luceros-Benidorm) of the TRAM d’Alacant until the end of April.

Line 9 (Benidorm-Dénia) will return to normal along its whole route after the new Algar and Mascarat bridges are finished. This means you won’t need to make any transfers for the journey.

The train service on this part of Line 1 is stopped because workers are adding more tracks and installing electric lines. As an alternative, FGV has planned a bus service on this section with stops in Benidorm, Cala Finestrat, Hospital Vila, Costera Pastor and Creueta that will connect with the railway service in circulation, at the stops of Creueta (direction Luceros) and Benidorm (direction Dénia). The Terra Mítica stop will not have bus service in the affected area.

For more information about our services, you can check the schedule, stations, and TRAM stops by calling Customer Service at 900 72 04 72. You can also find this information on our website www.tramalacant.es and in the official app.

Opening of the Altea-Calp part of Line 9.

The new Algar and Masacrat bridges are finished, so the Altea-Calp section, which has been closed since last April, is now open again. Also, the upgrades to Line 9 are complete, allowing trains to run directly between Benidorm and Dénia without passengers needing to change trains.

The new Algar and Mascarat bridges complete the major makeover of Line 9 that began in 2014. This project by the Generalitat has caused disruptions in service in various parts of the line for the past ten years.

New bridges

The project on the Algar River involved making a new bridge next to the old one, which was built between 1913 and 1915. The old bridge is now used as a walkway, according to its classification as a Local Relevant Asset.

The Algar project involved building a bridge with a concrete slab that is 226 meters long and 6 meters wide.

The new Mascarat viaduct is a straight metal structure that weighs 114,000 kilogrammes and is 43.20 meters long. It crosses the valley with a single support and has the same design as the original deck, which is a PRATT-type metal structure.

Mascarat’s work includes replacing the railway platform’s structure with slab track for about 1.5 kilometres. They are also protecting and covering 12,475 square meters of slopes with strong triple torsion meshes around the three tunnels that the TRAM d’Alacant travels through in this area.

The new bridges will allow for the removal of the diesel trains, which will be replaced by newer dual-fuel trains. These new trains will be used on the Dénia-Calp section starting in 2023 and will operate along the entire line.

Features of the projects between Hospital Vila and Benidorm.

The ongoing projects are in the towns of Vila Joiosa, Finestrat, and Benidorm, covering a distance of 6.23 kms. The project has a budget of about 40 million euros, including VAT, and is funded by the European Union’s MRR.

The project involves building a second track, which includes making a new bridge over the Barranco del Murtal, laying down the track structure and adding electricity.

In this project, we will upgrade the Cala Finestrat and Terra Mítica stops to meet new accessibility standards. We will also improve access to the Hospital de la Marina Baixa from the Hospital Vila stop by adding a lift to make it easier for everyone to get to.

The project is set to start by the end of 2025 and will need to pause train services for a while.

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Strong Wind Warning

On Tuesday, January 28, 2025, high winds are expected to trigger yellow-level warnings, according to the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET). The Iberian Peninsula’s east and southeast will be affected by maximum gusts of 70 to 90 km/h that are predicted to come from the west-northwest.

Be aware that these notices may be raised to higher levels or extended to further places as the date approaches. We advise to take the following precautions:

protects items against wind-driven displacement.
Steer clear of open outdoor spaces.
Follow instructions from authorities and stay updated via official sources.

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Alicante and Benidorm might get a Wetherspoons pub.

Wetherspoon’s CEO and founder, Tim Martin, wants to open new Wetherspoon pubs in other countries.

We believe there are around 100 to 200 franchise groups in the UK. Now, it’s a matter of considering going abroad, and it could happen. Martin said, “Now there’s a chance to have franchises in other countries.”

What plans does Wetherspoons have for the future? The pub chain is focussing on popular Spanish vacation spots for Brits, like Majorca, Benidorm, and Alicante. According to Martin, these are good choices for the company’s first move into Europe.

Wetherspoons wants to grow internationally after doing well with franchise partnerships in the UK.