Leaf fall season is here

In autumn, extra care should be taken near tram tracks as the fallen leaves make the tracks slippery. Fallen leaves crushed under the tram wheels leave an oily residue on the surface of the tracks making tram wheels slip and lengthening the braking distance of trams.

Drivers, pedestrians and cyclists are advised to take this into account when moving about the town. Do not cross the street at the last minute if you see a tram coming. Please also remind your children to be careful around the trams.  

Trams can also jerk when starting from a stop and the slippery tracks can cause delays to trams. The situation is the most difficult in areas where trees grow right next to the tracks, for example on Mäkelänkatu and Munkkiniemen puistotie.

HKL’s track cleaning cars are constantly at work but the wind blows more leaves all the time and the cleaned tracks are soon covered with leaves again.