Six million kilometres for the world's first wireless
tramway

Since Bordeauxs Citadis trams went into
operation at the end of 2003, they have covered more than six
million kilometres using the APS wireless power supply system,
invented and developed by Alstom Transport. The Communauté
Urbaine de Bordeaux (CUB), which transports around 200,000
passengers on its three tram lines every day, was the first
metropolitan area in the world to opt for this technology on 14
of the networks 44 kilometres. The APS availability rate
on the three lines is over 99%. Angers, Reims and Orléans
subsequently chose APS technology in 2006, followed by Dubai in
2008.

APS is a totally innovative solution and is
exclusive to Alstom. It is a power supply system without overhead
lines that enables the tram to travel wirelessly
over any distance, ensuring it blends seamlessly into the urban
environment. The tram is supplied with power via a rail embedded
in the track. The energy transmitted is then captured by two
collector slippers located at the centre of the tramset. To
ensure total safety for pedestrians, the charging of the
conductor segments is only triggered when they are covered by the
tram. In addition to giving an identical performance to that of a
conventional tram, for example in terms of speed, the APS system
also preserves the urban environment and the heritage of historic
city centres. It is a relevant solution to cross zones that might
not otherwise have been accessible. It is also compatible with a
variety of ground coverings and is easy to extend for the
development of a line or network.

• Visit the Alstom Transport website