Thirty years from now, 70 percent of the population is expected to live in cities. With increased congestion, climate change and pollution, the need for sustainable development in urban transportation systems is driving innovation in the market.
At a recent press trip, Alstom showcased its latest innovation in the light rail market, the Citadis X05, and the ground-based static charging system SRS.
Tram Product Director, LRV Platform, Eric Caplot, gave an overview of the light rail market, pointing out nearly 187 miles of new lines created in 24 countries in 2017. The expected growth from now until 2021 is about 4 percent for Europe, and 6 percent for the Americas.
Passenger Comfort and Optimized Operation
Caplot said Alstom launched the development of Citadis X05 three years ago. This latest member to the Citadis family features improved passenger comfort, optimized operation, increased modularity, lower operating costs and catenary-free options.
The larger central aisles and wider gangways offer a spacious design and 40 percent more window surface gives the cars a more open feel. The double doors provide a 15 percent passenger exchange ratio increase.
The Citadis X05 has up to an 18 percent reduction of preventative maintenance costs, based on Citadis REX and technical innovation. The easier sub-system integration and maintenance reduces the life cycle costs, and with the ONIX 850 traction drive with closed self-ventilated permanent magnet motors and optimized heating, ventilation, and air conditioning function, there’s a 25 percent reduction in energy consumption.
The Citadis X05 goes up to about 50 miles per hour and includes bogies adapted to new and old tracks. More flexibility is obtained through a variety of configurations available. A small LRV can move about 130 passengers, medium about 305 and a longer configuration can move about 405.
Conductive Charging
The SRS charging infrastructure is based on Alstom’s APS catenary-free solution, which has been in service for 15 years.
The conductive ground-based static charging system is designed to charge vehicles equipped with on-board energy storage. The Ecopack SRS technology removes the cables and masts and stores energy on the vehicle and quick charge when the vehicle is stopped at stations.
The charging is automatic, not requiring anything from the driver and no additional constraint on operation. The fast charge happens via contact during the normal dwell time at the platform, in about 20 seconds at 750 volts. 13.5 kWh of energy is stored and the current maximum charging with SRRS is 1,600 amps.
Whether or not SRS is the right option for a system is whether or not catenary is wanted, the size of service and the line configuration.
If the agency wants catenary-free light rail operation, Alstom offers SRS or APS, which is continuous charge from a third rail. With continuing infrastructure between stations for APS, the costs are seen on the infrastructure side. SRS utilizes charging at the station and there is the extra equipment on the vehicle; there’s an equation to consider as one has higher costs on the vehicles, while the other has higher costs on the infrastructure.
For lines operating on hills, there can be increased energy consumption. The climate also can require a higher energy consumption with HVAC demands, so passenger comfort is always a consideration.
The Ecopack SRS solution can recharge LRV or electric buses equipped with on-board energy storage by contact in 20 seconds during normal dwell time at a stop or in a few minutes at the end of a bus line.
By the Numbers: Nice Metropole
Citadis X05 equipped with Ecopack and with SRS charging solution
Number of trams: 25
LRV length: 144 feet
LRV Width: 8.7 feet
Capacity: 300 passengers
