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LRVs – Where from, where to?

• The low-floor revolution

• Wireless power

2

LRVs – Why have low floors?

• Accessibility – different approaches in Europe and USA

• USA version: Sliding ramp under vehicle No step or gap for wheelchair Slow to deploy LRV floor about 100mm above platform Near - perfect access for wheelchairs is at the expense of

others

3

LRVs – Why have low floors?

• Accessibility – different approaches in Europe and USA

• European version: No moving parts Step and gap about 50mm max Benefits everyone Almost all wheelchair passengers can negotiate it

4

LRVs – Why have low floors?• Boarding a high-floor LRV from street is difficult – typically three steps up • High platforms are obtrusive in the streetscape and it is harder to provide good access:

5

LRVs – Why have low floors?• Low platforms fit the streetscape and can be built into footways

6

LRVs – Consequences of low floors

• Gangway must pass through middle of bogie. Wheels etc. fit under seats.

Boarding height about 300mm. Can be with or without axles

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LRVs – Consequences of low floors

• Various seating arrangements above the floor, driven by what lies beneath!

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LRVs – Consequences of low floors

• Bogies can’t swivel, so European LRVs have become modular, some modules with wheels, some without.

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LRVs – Consequences of low floors• Someone always has to be different! Floor height 180mm

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LRVs – Consequences of low floors

• USA LRT needs higher top speed, so has moved to partial low floor, with traditional bogies at the ends

• Still plenty of seats at boarding level, but with steps in the gangways

• Difficult to do a vehicle bigger than 30m

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LRVs – Consequences of low floors

• Most equipment is on the roof• Depots have changed

12

LRV – the future?

Only 2 articulations like a 70% low-floor LRV, low gangway like a 100% low floor LRV

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WIRELESS SUPPLY

Continuous supply – wired without wires• One proven system - Alstom• Segmented third rail• Now adequately reliable • Most expensive • Proprietary • Five Cities in France, more on order

elsewhere including Sydney• Total about 50km

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WIRELESS SUPPLY

Continuous supply – wired without wires• One proven system - Alstom• Segmented third rail• Now adequately reliable • Most expensive • Proprietary • Five Cities in France, more on order

elsewhere including Sydney• Total about 42km

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WIRELESS SUPPLYIntermittent supply with energy storage• Charged at stops, either above or below • Some service experience (Zaragoza, Sevilla,

Nice, Kaohsiung, Nanjing)• Some vehicles running on wired systems to

reduce maximum power demand• Talked about much more than done! • May become cheaper than wired, but energy

storage units have limited life, are expensive, and difficult to dispose of, o not yet cheaper

• Compatibility simpler than third rail• Rescue, Priority and Load shedding issues

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WIRELESS SUPPLY - CLAIMS

…” rapid charge accumulators allow trains to operate wirelessly if the stations are within 1,400 meters of each other”

“The Guangzhou system will use batteries that automatically recharge from an underground power supply at passenger stations. One recharge takes 10-30 seconds, and powers the tram for up to 4 kilometres”

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WIRELESS SUPPLY – REALITY?

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WIRELESS SUPPLY – REALITY?