AUSTRIA: Linz Linien, Kapsch CarrierCom and Bombardier have announced the results of a ‘smart tram’ pilot project which began in September.
Sensors were fitted to 23 Bombardier Cityrunner trams. These collected data on 50 parameters and transmitted them to the operations control centre for analysis. The results were then used to implement measures to improve energy efficiency, operating costs and passenger comfort.
Linz Linien CEO Erich Haider says that this has enabled energy requirements to be reduced by 10·2%, primarily through more efficient heating, and improved acceleration and braking performance. It also improves fleet maintenance. ‘We now have significantly better information about the condition of the vehicles and can carry out maintenance work in a far more targeted way than before’, he said.
