November 11, 2024 – The Barcelona Metropolitan Transport Authority (ATM) today put into commercial service the new extension of Barcelona’s tramway, an extension of approximately two kilometres – that incorporates Alstom’s innovative catenary-free technology, known as APS. This extension can transport an additional 24,000 passengers per day, thus helping to eliminate around 2,000 cars from the city center. Barcelona’s tramway is in the backbone of the city’s plan to encourage more sustainable mobility, with a commitment to eco-friendly, accessible, equitable and healthy urban development.
Alstom has been responsible for the design and supply of the new ground-based dynamic feeding system (APS) which eliminates the use of catenary while maintaining equivalent performance. Alstom’s teams in Madrid and Barcelona have been responsible for both the APS elements – required in the infrastructure and the adaptation of the current fleet of 18 Citadis trams – to make them compatible with the new electrical power supply system.
The APS system consists of the installation of a third conductor rail on the track, which serves as a power supply system. This third conductor rail is divided into sections that are automatically activated and deactivated as the tram travels over them, eradicating any risk to pedestrians and road users. Moreover, compared to other solutions, this technology does not compromise the autonomy of the trams in increasingly extreme weather conditions or in the event of traffic cuts or, for that matter, any other incident that interrupts the movement of the convoys.
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Alstom catenary free technology