Geneva, Switzerland

Delivery: 2005-2006

The lighTram is a state-of-the-art lightweight aluminium vehicle developed in cooperation with Hess as a new transport system providing communities and transportation companies with an extremely attractive and reasonably priced alternative for conventional trolleybus and streetcar LRV systems.

With a transport capacity of up to 200 passengers per vehicle the lighTram closes the gap between streetcars and buses. The use of standardized bus components ensures that the high quality requirements are met right from the start. The electric drive makes it possible to realize "zero emission" operation.

The 24 m bi-articulated vehicle can be used on simple travel routes and public roads. The vehicle has a turning circle similar to that of an 18 m articulated bus even with its width of 2.55 m which makes it an optimum vehicle for use in inner-city areas. In contrast to rail-bound vehicles the Kiepe current collector system makes it possible to drive the lighTram with a lateral offset of up to 4 m from the optimum lane, e.g. to avoid obstacles like crashed cars. The auxiliary power unit increases the flexibility of the vehicle and makes it possible to operate it without overhead lines.

As it has not been possible to increase the driving frequency in the Geneva inner-city area and integration of a streetcar system is too complex and too costly, the Geneva transport services, TPG, have ordered 10 lighTrams from Vossloh Kiepe and Hess to manage the higher passenger volume. These vehicles are used as airport shuttle buses commuting between the airport, the city centre, and a densely populated district of Geneva. To manage the higher flow of passengers the 100 % low-floor vehicles are equipped with 5 doors.

Acceleration of the vehicle that can have a weight of up to 39 t is ensured by two 160 kW asynchronous motors. Power supply to these motors is realized by two Kiepe IGBT direct pulse inverters. Higher-ranking control tasks are performed by drive control modules which are proprietary developments of Vossloh Kiepe. These devices, which are equipped with several powerful processors, capture operating data, perform complete drive diagnosis, and manage both power and resources. The separate control of the two traction motors ensures exact adjustment of traction and braking torques of the two drive axles. Unlike a diesel drive the Kiepe "Two-Axle Drive" makes it possible to use the vehicle on demanding surfaces.

To ensure a comprehensive exchange of data within the vehicle all main components are connected to a CANopen vehicle bus. The uncompromising further development and direct connection of the driver workplace to the Kiepe data bus make it possible to visualize various up-to-date data on the color display of the driver workplace.

The double insulation required for trolleybuses is thoroughly implemented. To save weight this insulation is realized by modern insulation materials and the use of fibre optic cables. In addition, the insulation watchdog developed by Vossloh Kiepe monitors the potential of the vehicle.

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