Visiting party from Boston and Blackpool staff beside the prototype
Numerous options of length, width, door arrangement and seating layout are available from the tram design. The preferred design for Edinburgh would have the following characteristics:-
| Length | 28.00m |
| Width | 2.40m or 2.65m |
| Height (excluding pantograph) | 2.90m |
| Weight (unladen) | 20 tonnes |
| Weight (max load) | 35 tonnes |
| Min. horizontal radius | 15m |
| Min. vertical radius | 200m |
| Maximum speed | 90kmh (56mph) |
| Service acceleration/deceleration | 1.5m/sec2 |
| Emergency braking | 3.3m/sec2 |
| Seated passengers | 80 |
| Max. standing passengers | 120 |
Prototype tram in Blackpool being driven by a representative from Boston
The tram would have a cab at each end and four sets of double plug doors on either side. The doors would give access to the low floor section of the car, which represents 65% of the total floor area. The floor in this section is 300mm above rail/ground level, permitting level access from the stops. The floor at either end is 800mm above ground level to clear the motor bogies. It is accessed by two 250mm steps. The two 90kW (120hp) motors are located under the driver's cabs and drive all wheels of the adjacent bogie. The grille visible in the picture above covers the end of motor, which is part of the crash protection system of the tram. The unladen power to weight ratio is 12kW/tonne. For a fully loaded vehicle with 80 seated and 120 standing it is 7kW/tonne. These are similar to mainland standards for comparative vehicles.
The exact seating to standing ratio and the internal layout of the cars will be determined at the detailed design stage. Adequate provision will be made for luggage, pushchairs, buggies, as well as for wheelchairs and guide dogs. Bicycles could also be carried. An adequate number of stanchions will be provided, together with seat-back and horizontal grab rails.
The prototype TRAM has been extensively tested. Details of this testing are available. The concept is of a low weight, long life, operator orientated, user friendly vehicle with good performance and lower costs. This has been proven by the eight year development process. The vehicle is approved for carrying passengers by the UK Railway Inspectorate and meets all the relevant standards. The vehicle is modular, has a short delivery time, is assembled off the shelf and is software configured.
TRAM Power Ltd have their own web site www.trampower.co.uk which has the latest details on the TRAM.
