Cologne: Low-Floor Light Rail Vehicle K4500
Delivery: 2004-2010
Cologne Transit Authority (Kölner Verkehrs-Betriebe AG, KVB) operates the second largest tramway and light rail system in Germany with a track length of more than 190 km.
According to an existing contract for 146 light rail
vehicles (LRV), KVB called up an option of 69 low-floor K4500 vehicles,
in December 2002. These are due to be supplied by the group Bombardier
Transportation and Vossloh Kiepe (former Kiepe Elektrik). The delivery of these new bidirectional LRVs begins
with a delivery of a pre-production series consisting of four vehicles
in the first half of 2005. After a six month break the new vehicles
will be continuously supplied from the end of 2005 to the end of 2007. The K4500 design is based on the modern light rail
vehicle K5000, i.e. many parts, modules and systems which are already
used by KVB were integrated in the new electrical equipment. In effect,
a symbiosis of K4000 and K5000, this vehicle combines modern and proven
technologies. As system supplier Vossloh Kiepe is responsible for the
project realization, delivery and commissioning of the entire
electrical equipment for the low-floor vehicles. Vossloh Kiepe supplies
the complete traction system, the static converters, the air
conditioning and heating units, the integrated vehicle data management
with wireless LAN data transmission, the passenger information system
as well as the automatic train control. Each vehicle features two IGBT traction inverters which
are directly supplied from the line voltage. Each inverter feeds two
low-maintenance, fully suspended three-phase asynchronous motors. For
the redundant on-board power supply two static IGBT-converters are
used. Two separate IGBT auxiliary converters feed the air conditioning
units. A traction inverter, a static converter and an
auxiliary converter are integrated into the Kiepe roof container. All
of these units are easily accessible on the roof. Most of the control functions are executed by a
standardized data bus system based on CANopen. In addition, all safety
relevant features are hard-wired, giving a fall-back control system in
case of a general bus failure. Via the train bus it is possible to
control mixed trains of K4000 and K4500 light rail vehicles. Public transport operator KVB’s vehicle park with electrical equipment from Vossloh Kiepe has been increased from 183 vehicles (59 K5000s and 124 K4000s) to 252 vehicles through the supply of 69 K4500 light rail vehicles.
After the delivery of 15 more K5000 LRVs, a total of 267 vehicles with electrical equipment from Vossloh Kiepe will be in operation in KVB’s network from the end of 2010.
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