Project Description
COVENTRY VLR
TYPE: Rail
CLIENT: Coventry City Council
DESCRIPTION
TDI is developing an innovative, very light rail vehicle which will be part of a new transport solution for Coventry.
The Coventry VLR vehicle is a zero emission battery electric prototype representing a novel, low-cost, low-carbon, rail-based public transport system, interoperable with existing rail systems and will ultimately be capable of operating without a driver.
The vehicle is significantly lighter than existing rail platforms, enabling the use of novel, low-cost lightweight infrastructure, improving affordability to smaller cities such as Coventry.
Due for delivery in 2021 (in the year of ‘Coventry City of Culture’) TDI’s prototype vehicle will be capable of carrying 20 seated passengers and a maximum of 70 including standees. It will be tested at the Very Light Rail National Innovation Centre in Dudley before a permanent tracked route is installed across Coventry and a fleet of vehicles manufactured.
FEATURES
SPECIFICATIONS
| Service Life: | 20 years |
| Power: | >175kW continuous power |
| Speed: | <70kph |
| Range: | >10 km (route dependant) |
| Guidance: | Steel track with resilient wheels |
| Passengers: | 20 Seated and 50+ Standing crush load |
| Accessibility: | RVAR compliant |
| Dimensions: | 11000L x 2650W x 3175H |
| Door Opening: | 900W x 1950H |
| Exterior Bodywork: | Lightweight Carbon Composite panels |
There is great potential for VLR vehicles to be used on disused branch lines across the UK, many of which have been closed since the early 1960s. The UK has the necessary design talent and manufacturing capacity to create next generation VLR vehicles for domestic and export markets.
GALLERY
