Tag: tram (Page 2 of 2)

SBB’s New Double-Deck Train is Getting Better and Better

November 10, 2019 / WIL BALDWIN

Significant increase in reliability and ride comfort

The introduction of the new “FV-Dosto” double-deck long-distance train on the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) route network is making significant and measurable progress. As the manufacturer Bombardier Transportation explained at its Swiss headquarters in Zurich, the reliability of the 25 trains available to the SBB has been increased by a factor of seven, and ride comfort has been substantially improved thanks to newly installed software. This and the train’s highly energy-efficient drive concept, also led to a significant improvement in punctuality on the routes operated with the FV-Dosto. With the help of software developed and adapted by Bombardier, it has been possible to reduce the previously noticeable vibrations, particularly in the upper decks of trains by up to 75 per cent, thereby substantially increasing ride comfort.

As Stéphane Wettstein, the Swiss Managing Director of Bombardier Transportation, explained, the technical reliability of the FV-Dosto trains used, once again significantly increased to 6,914 km of trouble-free operation in October. This corresponds to an improvement by a factor of seven over the last 11 months. Approximately 34 per cent of service disruptions are caused by operational and passenger-triggered incidents and accordingly affect the overall reliability of operations. Wettstein put the increase in the technical reliability of the trains down to the effectiveness of the agreed actions and the increasing mileage of the Dosto fleet, which has now covered a total of around 2.27 million kilometres. He is therefore confident that technical and operational reliability will continue to improve steadily. Since the timetable change in December 2018, around 75 per cent of the technical causes of disruptions have been eliminated.

Reliability and drive concept have a positive effect on punctuality

The greater reliability and increasing trouble-free availability of the trains also have a positive effect on the punctuality of the IR and IC services operated by the FV-Dosto. According to the surveys on the statistics website pünktlichkeit.ch, it is better in eastern Switzerland than in other parts of the country. This is not only due to higher reliability of the FV-Dosto trains, but also to their drive concept: unlike conventional trains, the FV-Dosto is not pulled or pushed by a locomotive, but driven by high energy-efficient and permanent magnet motors on the axles of the individual carriages. This allows long-distance trains to accelerate much faster, which positively contributes to timetable adherence.

Substantial improvement of ride comfort

In recent weeks, great progress has also been made in terms of ride comfort. With the new software installed in September 2019, it has been possible to eliminate the vibrations that used to be felt, mainly in the upper deck, to such an extent that some of them are now lower than in conventional double-deck trains. However, Stéphane Wettstein pointed out that, although Bombardier’s mechatronic bogies had been able to improve ride comfort, railway infrastructure, which also influences passengers’ level of comfort, has not gotten any better.

The technologically complex system for eliminating vibrations is based on stabilizing the carriage body in every driving situation, in such a way that the passenger feels less of the centrifugal forces in curves and changes of direction when passing over points than in conventional double-deck or tilting trains. While the ICN tilting train, which was also built by Bombardier as the consortium leader, tilts inwards in curves up to 7°, the FV-Dosto stays perpendicular to the track level. Together with the drive system and the pressure-tight carriage body, which prevents unpleasant pressure on the ears, especially when travelling through tunnels, this system is one of the major innovations of what is currently the world’s most modern long-distance train.

SBB already has 25 new trains

“The FV-Dosto is technologically a leading product in the industry in terms of its energy efficiency and the wide range of comfort it offers its passengers, even on a global scale – something Switzerland can be proud of, especially since important systems such as the traction or the bogies were developed in Switzerland and are largely manufactured in Switzerland,” says Swiss Managing Director of Bombardier Transportation Stéphane Wettstein.

Bombardier has now delivered a total of 25 of the FV-Dosto trains, which corresponds to SBB’s planning for the timetable change in 2019. By summer 2021, the entire fleet of (62) trains will have been delivered. The great public interest in the FV-Dosto has also prompted Bombardier to intensify communication regarding this high-tech train. The company has launched a website at swissdosto.ch which provides continually updated information on the introduction and operation of the train on the Swiss rail network.

Bombardier creates considerable value in Switzerland

Bombardier Transportation is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of public transport vehicles, mainly rail vehicles. The company is headquartered in Montreal, Canada and employs around 40,000 people around the world. More than 100,000 Bombardier vehicles are in service worldwide, carrying some 500 million passengers every day. In Switzerland, Bombardier’s roots go back some 120 years; many of the famous Swiss railway manufacturers from Secheron and MFO to BBC, ABB and Schindler Waggonbau to SLM have been combined under Bombardier over the decades. Today, around 870 employees work for Bombardier in Switzerland, 340 of them at the headquarters and global development centre in Zurich and 530 at the Villeneuve (VD) plant. Numerous Swiss suppliers are also involved in the development and production of the FV-Dosto, and their order volume accounts for around 50 per cent of the total external investment volume of CHF 600 million for the (62) ordered trains. After all, Bombardier is not only the supplier of FV-Dosto for SBB, but also of locomotives, technical services and the BOMBARDIER FLEXITYtram, which is already being used successfully in Geneva and Basel and the first of which will also be handed over to the Zurich public transport operator VBZ on November 15, 2019.

Alstom’s Tram Enters Service in Avignon

October 20, 2019 / WIL BALDWIN

Alstom has commissioned its first new-generation Citadis X05 tram in its short version, on the first tramway line of Grand Avignon. The inauguration took place in the presence of Elisabeth Borne, Minister of the Ecological and Solidarity Transition, Renaud Muselier, President of Région Sud, Maurice Chabert, President of the Vaucluse Department, Patrick Vacaris, President of Grand Avignon, Cécile Helle, Mayor of Avignon, Jean-Marc Roubaud, President of Técélys and Jean-Baptiste Eyméoud, President of Alstom France.

“Alstom and its teams are proud to be present at the commissioning of this first tramway line in Avignon. Thanks to their reliability, availability and easier maintenance, we are fully confident in the ability of the 14 Citadis trams to address the major travel challenges of the Agglomeration Community of Grand Avignon. I would also like to thank the members of Grand Avignon for having entrusted us with part of the infrastructural work. This new line will become a showcase for the expertise of the French rail sector,” said Jean-Baptiste Eyméoud, President of Alstom in France.

24 metres long, equipped with 4 double doors on each side, the Citadis X05 tram for Grand Avignon will be able to carry more than 140 passengers. The full low floor and double doors facilitate accessibility and passenger exchange in stations. Everything has been designed for a pleasant travel experience: large bay windows covering 40% of the tram, LEDs with diffusers for soft, homogenous lighting, a state-of-the-art information system, large seats, air conditioning, and a video protection system.

Citadis X05 has standardised, proven, more accessible components, providing residents of the Avignon area with reliable, readily available material. Citadis X05 is particularly energy efficient and up to 99% recyclable.

Alstom offers a wide range of products and services and has also provided the tracks (studies, supply and assembly), the 750 V electrical substation and 6 km of overhead contact lines (studies, supply, installation and testing) in partnership with TSO.

Seven of Alstom’s thirteen sites in France are involved in the design and manufacture of the tram for Grand Avignon: La Rochelle (for the design and assembly of the trams), Ornans (for the engines), Le Creusot (for the bogies), Tarbes (for the traction drive equipment), Valenciennes (for the control system and interior layout), Saint-Ouen (for the design and infrastructure activities) and Villeurbanne (for the on-board electronic systems).

Alstom’s New-Generation Citadis Tram for Caen la Mer

July 29, 2019 / WIL BALDWIN

Alstom has commissioned its new-generation Citadis X05 tram on the three new lines of Caen la Mer. Presided over by Joël Bruneau, President of the Urban Community of Caen la Mer, and Rodolphe Thomas, First Vice-President of Caen la Mer, in charge of transport, travel and infrastructure, the inauguration took place in the presence of Jean-Léonce Dupont, President of Calvados region, Hervé Morin, President of Normandy region, Agnès Monfret, EU delegate, Stéphane Guyon, general Secretary of Calvados Prefecture and Emmanuel Bois, Sales Director for Alstom in France.

“Just one year after the first tram was presented at the La Rochelle site, it is with great pride that Alstom and its teams take part in this inauguration. Thanks to their reliability, availability and ease of maintenance, we have total confidence in the ability of the 26 Citadis trams to meet the growing mobility requirements of the inhabitants of the Urban Community of Caen la Mer,” says Jean-Baptiste Eyméoud, Senior Vice President France at Alstom.

33 metres long and featuring 6 double doors on each side, the Citadis X05 for Caen la Mer can carry more than 210 passengers. It has 6 extra-wide passenger information screens, large windows covering 45% of the vehicle and will offer USB charging sockets, a first in France. In addition, the Citadis X05 for the Urban Community of Caen la Mer can climb slopes with gradients of up to 8% and has standardised, proven and more accessible components. Last but not least, the tram demonstrates a particularly high level of performance in terms of environmental sustainability, thanks in particular to its 100% LED lighting and optimised air conditioning. It is particularly energy efficient and 95% recyclable.

Eight of Alstom’s 13 sites in France designed and manufactured the Citadis trams for the Urban Community of Caen la Mer: La Rochelle (design, assembly, validation, commercial entry into service and warranty), Ornans (engines), Le Creusot (bogies), Tarbes (traction modules), Valenciennes (interior layout), Villeurbanne (on-board computerised systems), Aix en Provence (tachymetry, for measuring travel speed) and Saint-Ouen (design).In total, more than 2,600 Citadis trams have been sold to more than 50 cities in 20 countries.

Bombardier Wins Order to Supply 12 Commuter Trains for Adelaide, Australia

June 28, 2019 / WIL BALDWIN

Adelaide’s electric multiple unit trains, manufactured locally by Bombardier, were the first electric trains to operate in South Australia

Mobility solution provider Bombardier Transportation has received a contract variation from the Government of South Australia for 12 three-car A-City electric multiple unit (EMU) trains. This latest order will increase Bombardier’s fleet of A-City EMUs to a total of 34 trains and provide a much-needed capacity increase on Adelaide’s suburban rail network.

Wendy McMillan, President, South East Asia and Australia Region, Bombardier Transportation, said, “Since 2005, Bombardier has been supporting Adelaide’s mobility needs with its diesel and electric commuter trains and this contract variation is another huge endorsement of our workforce and the quality of the products designed, built and maintained here in Australia.” She added, “We are proud to deepen our long-term partnership in this important market, built on a strong track record of delivery performance, best-in-class rail technology and value-adding long-term solutions; which has laid the foundation to further support South Australian Government’s great efforts to meet a higher demand for public transport that will ensure the comfort and ease of every passenger’s journey.”

Bombardier is the only rail manufacturer in Australia with the ability and capacity to singlehandedly manufacture trains and trams in Australia. We have industrial design, engineering, manufacturing, maintenance and rail signalling teams based in Australia which allows us to maintain the highest level of local content across the majority of our projects.

Bombardier has been delivering Adelaide DMU’s from 2005 and since 2011, our Dandenong facility in Victoria, Australia is involved in delivering the Adelaide A-City EMU fleet. Our local engineers have developed an in-depth knowledge of Adelaide’s rail network over these years, information which enabled Bombardier to propose the most efficient and network-friendly EMU solution which has resulted in high reliability and availability of trains, reduced operational cost and increased performance.

These three-car trains, operating on Seaford and Gawler Line, can accommodate 240 seated passengers as well as up to 300 standees, can provide premium passenger comfort and are equipped to handle Adelaide’s hot summers. These environmentally-friendly trains have generated more than 200 local jobs, achieved high local content from almost zero when we started in Dry Creek to more than 60% today, which has created a robust supply-chain in Australia, enhanced local talent pools with skills development and training programs and developed critical asset management capabilities for Australia’s rail industry.

The Adelaide A-City EMU trains won Bombardier a Good Design Award at the 2015 Australian International Design Awards. Bombardier has been investing in Australia for more than 70 years. As a trusted rail industry partner with over 1,000 employees, Bombardier designs, engineers, manufactures and maintains rolling stock across Australia, along with providing signalling, rail equipment, asset management and through-life support to customers and operators.

This latest order will increase Bombardier’s fleet of A-City EMUs to a total of 34 trains.

Bombardier Unveils New Light Rail Vehicle Safety System

June 10, 2019 / WIL BALDWIN

Bombardier unveils new innovative light rail vehicle safety system at UITP 2019 in Stockholm, Sweden.

COMPAS provides enhanced safety for passengers and drivers, helping to prevent derailing
Innovative overspeed protection system co-developed with Austrian Institute of Technology

Today, mobility solution provider Bombardier Transportation presented its new and innovative safety system for urban light rail vehicles at the UITP Global Public Transportation Summit in Stockholm. Called COMPAS (Collision and Overspeed Monitoring and Prevention Assistance System), the technology was developed in cooperation with Bombardier Transportation’s research partner the Austrian Institute of Technology & Mission Embedded and enhances safety for tram passengers and drivers.

Christian Diewald, Managing Director of Bombardier Transportation in Austria, said, “We have completed the development phase of COMPAS and will shortly start the operational evaluation in two existing vehicle fleets. I am especially happy that we are testing this safety innovation in the new vehicles for our customer Wiener Linien in Austria, but also with our customer in Blackpool, UK.”

COMPAS is the transportation industry’s only system that combines two of the most requested driver assistance functions, a vision-based overspeed prevention and an automated obstacle detection assistance system. It’s designed to ensure the driver always maintains full control over the vehicle by using digital track data and visual odometry to prevent the vehicle from exceeding its pre-defined speed limits, thus enhancing safety for those in and around the vehicle.

The new system is expected to be granted commercial service authorization by mid-2020, with additional functions, such as increased vehicle autonomy enabling automated operation in depots, planned to for future integration.

COMPAS builds upon Bombardier’s proven Obstacle Detection Assistance System (ODAS ), a cutting-edge safety innovation already proven in passenger in service since being introduced in Frankfurt, Germany in 2017. Overall, the ODAS system has been selected by five light rail vehicle operators.