Škoda 15 T
Encyclopedia
Škoda 15T is a 100% low floor tram
developed by Škoda
(Plzeň) for the Transport Company of Prague in the years 2005-2008. The order and subsequent construction was influenced by experiences with operation of the Škoda 14 T
in the Prague tram network
. The operation of the 14T five-segmented tram with fixed bogies had a mixed outcome, mostly because of unequal loads on axles, considering the tram, and due to missing Track transition curve
s and the high proportion of tracks with low maximum load capacity, considering the tracks. This led to a new bidding procedure for a tram with pivoting bogies. The resulting design, the ForCity (15T) offered 3 segments carried on 4 pivoting bogies - two pivoting at the ends of the tram and two Jacobs bogie
s between the segments. This array evokes the style of the Tatra KT8D5
or Duewag GT8
high-floor articulated trams but its construction differs significantly. Absence of outhangs at the ends allows construction of the ends to the full width of the tram, and reduces the tram's swept path (kinematic envelope). The tram has 2 double-doors in each segment (or 4 in bi-directional version) to allow fast boarding of passengers and one extra side door leading to the driver's cabin.
or bi-directional
. It can have from 60% of wheels driven up to all of the wheels driven for networks in hilly cities. As the bogies are under articulations and don't interfere with the inner space of the body sections, there is unlimited choice of interior lay-out and location of doors.
The basic vehicle length can be modified. It is also possible to couple two or more vehicles. The tram's appearance, colours and front design are user-defined.
s under the articulations and pivoting bogies at the tram's ends. Currently it is the only true 100% low floor tram with pivoting bogies in production, although the Alstom Citadis X04, an experimental 100% low floor tram currently being developed with pivoting bogies (but with sections of high floor seating over the bogies), has made an initial production appearance as a modified Citadis 301 (with a fixed centre bogie) in Istanbul. With the same length of tramcar, the Škoda 15 T has also four bogies compared to the predecessor Škoda 14 T
's three (same on most other 100% low floor trams) (fixed) bogies, which decreases the load each wheel puts on the track. The most of the tram floor is at height of 350 mm (13.78 in) above rail; the height over the bogies is 450 mm (17.72 in) above rail; the transition is inclined, without interior steps. The corridor above the central bogies is 700 mm (27.56 in) wide. The bogies may be all driven, or some of them may be normal ones, depending on the customer's preferences. The bogies have two axles and two-level springing. The mounted wheels are made of rubber-sprung wheels with integrated brake-discs and axle bearing. On the axle bearings there is a combined, dynamically resistant, primary rubber-bonded-metal-sprung bogie framework. This bogie framework supports four traction motors and one (in outer bogies) or two (in inner bogies) sprung swing bolsters. The secondary springing of the swing bolsters is secured by steel coil springs with parallel hydraulic rotating dampers. On the swing bolsters there are pivot bearings, which facilitate full rotation of the bogie below the body without any limitations.
The vehicle is driven by traction units. Each unit consists of traction container on the vehicle roof and of four traction motors, which drive wheels of one driving bogie. Individual wheel drive on respective bogies secures perfect use of adhesive conditions and ideal ride both in bends and on straight lines. There are three-phase synchronous motors with permanent magnet excitation on rotor. They are fixed to the bogie framework from the wheels outside. The traction motors don't use a gear box - they drive tram wheels directly through a mechanically disconnectable jaw clutch.
While the drive is controlled by two control units connected together by fast serial communication, the safety circuits and functions are hardware-resolved.
(about 68 million CZK
per unit (2,3 million €
per unit - 1€
2005=29,6CZK
)).
The trials of the first prototype started in 2009, the first rides with passengers started in October 2010 and the last tramcar will be delivered in 2017. The prototype had 3 types of seats - wooden, plastic and with fabric upholstery. Passengers have decided in an internet poll that the wooden seats will be used in the delivered version.
During the delivery of the first batch in 2011, the Prague transport company started negotiations with Škoda regarding instalment of air conditioning for the passenger compartment. It also raised concern, that 1000 horse power streetcar may be unnecessarily powerful and proposed solution used at Riga version, which has only three out of four boogies driven. In view of the transport company the price of additional air conditioning should be covered by elimination of the first boogie's engines. As of May 2011, it is not yet decided, whether this solution will be applied. Firstly there is issue that participants of the original tender may contest the change and require a new competition for the delivery of Prague's trams, secondly it has to be tested, whether 15 T without full adhesion would be able to drive on Prague's hilly network.
transport company (Latvia
) for delivery of 20 trams (with option
for another 32) worth 1,3 billion CZK
(about 65 million CZK
per unit (2,6 million €
per unit - 1€
2008 = 25CZK
)). The bidding process started in 2007 and altogether 9 companies took part in it. The Riga variant is three-segmented, like the Prague version, with air-conditioning for whole tram (Prague only for driver's cabin) and it is in white-blue livery. Unlike Prague's version, which has all bogies driven due to difficult adhesive conditions (Prague has hilly terrain), the Riga tram has 3 bogies driven (the 1st bogie doesn't have motors). The tram has upholstered seats similar to those in Škoda trolleybuses used in Riga.
The first tram was delivered to Riga in March 2010, the second in August 2010 and the other 18 will be delivered before the end of 2010. The first rides with passengers were in June 2010 after preceding test-drives.
There will also be 6 four-segmented tramcars (41 meters long) made for Riga
, Latvia
, as the town decided to apply a part of the preagreed option
of 32 (which was part of the previous order for 20).
city of Rostock
with the ForCity tram. Škoda did not win this tender.
The 15T was also submitted in a proposal for Helsinki
, Finland
, but did not win the tenders, but in Miskolc
, Hungary
won for 31 units, but the contract is not signed yet. Currently, Škoda has entered a tender for Zürich
, Switzerland
.
In April 2011 Škoda announced it will start a law suit against transport authority of Essen
, Germany
, which announced a selection procedure for delivery of 27 new trams. Škoda believes the procedure's technical requirements to be so specific that they effectively reduced competition (contrary to European law), leaving Škoda not able to offer its bid.
(previously known also as Karl-Marx-Stadt) from March 2011 until May 2011.
Tram
A tram is a passenger rail vehicle which runs on tracks along public urban streets and also sometimes on separate rights of way. It may also run between cities and/or towns , and/or partially grade separated even in the cities...
developed by Škoda
Škoda Works
Škoda Works was the largest industrial enterprise in Austro-Hungary and later in Czechoslovakia, one of its successor states. It was also one of the largest industrial conglomerates in Europe in the 20th century...
(Plzeň) for the Transport Company of Prague in the years 2005-2008. The order and subsequent construction was influenced by experiences with operation of the Škoda 14 T
Škoda 14 T
The Škoda 14 T is a five carbody section low-floor uni-directional tram, developed by Škoda for the Prague tram system.The vehicle's body was designed by Porsche Design Group. The 14 T has six axles, and the low-floor area represents 50 % of the entire vehicle floor...
in the Prague tram network
Prague Tram System
The Prague tram system is the largest tram system in the Czech Republic, consisting of 140 kilometres of track, over 900 tram cars, and 33 lines with a total route length of 540 km. It is operated by Dopravní podnik hlavního města Prahy a.s., a company owned by the City of Prague. The system...
. The operation of the 14T five-segmented tram with fixed bogies had a mixed outcome, mostly because of unequal loads on axles, considering the tram, and due to missing Track transition curve
Track transition curve
A track transition curve, or spiral easement, is a mathematically calculated curve on a section of highway, or railroad track, where a straight section changes into a curve. It is designed to prevent sudden changes in centripetal force...
s and the high proportion of tracks with low maximum load capacity, considering the tracks. This led to a new bidding procedure for a tram with pivoting bogies. The resulting design, the ForCity (15T) offered 3 segments carried on 4 pivoting bogies - two pivoting at the ends of the tram and two Jacobs bogie
Jacobs bogie
Jacobs bogies are a type of rail vehicle bogie commonly found on articulated railcars and tramway vehicles....
s between the segments. This array evokes the style of the Tatra KT8D5
Tatra KT8D5
Tatra KT8D5 is bidirectional light rail vehicle operating in Europe and Asia. In several variations, it was designed and manufactured by Czech engineering corporation ČKD Tatra from 1984 to 1999...
or Duewag GT8
DUEWAG
The DUEWAG AG was one of Germany's major manufacturers for rail vehicles. The business was sold in 1999 to Siemens transportation.- History :The company was founded in 1898 as Waggonfabrik Uerdingen AG in Uerdingen...
high-floor articulated trams but its construction differs significantly. Absence of outhangs at the ends allows construction of the ends to the full width of the tram, and reduces the tram's swept path (kinematic envelope). The tram has 2 double-doors in each segment (or 4 in bi-directional version) to allow fast boarding of passengers and one extra side door leading to the driver's cabin.
Design
The Škoda 15 T ForCity was developed as highly modular; it is offered with up to five car body sections and 50.6 metres (166 ft) in length. It may be used on gauges from up to and the body may be 2300–2650 mm (90.6–104.3 ) wide. The tram can be uni-directionalUni-directional
Unidirectional refers to an object that moves in only one direction at one time.It can refer to:*In communications theory, it is referred to as simplex communication or using ITU standards it refers to half-duplex signaling behavior....
or bi-directional
Bi-directional
Bi-directional may refer to:* Bi-directional text* Two-way communication* Bi-directional railway signalling* Controls at each end of a tram or railcar...
. It can have from 60% of wheels driven up to all of the wheels driven for networks in hilly cities. As the bogies are under articulations and don't interfere with the inner space of the body sections, there is unlimited choice of interior lay-out and location of doors.
The basic vehicle length can be modified. It is also possible to couple two or more vehicles. The tram's appearance, colours and front design are user-defined.
Bogies
The fixed bogies which are used by most 100% low floor trams increase track wear and decrease the speed at which a tram can drive through a curve (usually 4 – in 20 m (65.62 ft) radius curve). The 15 T is designed to cope with these issues through Jacobs bogieJacobs bogie
Jacobs bogies are a type of rail vehicle bogie commonly found on articulated railcars and tramway vehicles....
s under the articulations and pivoting bogies at the tram's ends. Currently it is the only true 100% low floor tram with pivoting bogies in production, although the Alstom Citadis X04, an experimental 100% low floor tram currently being developed with pivoting bogies (but with sections of high floor seating over the bogies), has made an initial production appearance as a modified Citadis 301 (with a fixed centre bogie) in Istanbul. With the same length of tramcar, the Škoda 15 T has also four bogies compared to the predecessor Škoda 14 T
Škoda 14 T
The Škoda 14 T is a five carbody section low-floor uni-directional tram, developed by Škoda for the Prague tram system.The vehicle's body was designed by Porsche Design Group. The 14 T has six axles, and the low-floor area represents 50 % of the entire vehicle floor...
's three (same on most other 100% low floor trams) (fixed) bogies, which decreases the load each wheel puts on the track. The most of the tram floor is at height of 350 mm (13.78 in) above rail; the height over the bogies is 450 mm (17.72 in) above rail; the transition is inclined, without interior steps. The corridor above the central bogies is 700 mm (27.56 in) wide. The bogies may be all driven, or some of them may be normal ones, depending on the customer's preferences. The bogies have two axles and two-level springing. The mounted wheels are made of rubber-sprung wheels with integrated brake-discs and axle bearing. On the axle bearings there is a combined, dynamically resistant, primary rubber-bonded-metal-sprung bogie framework. This bogie framework supports four traction motors and one (in outer bogies) or two (in inner bogies) sprung swing bolsters. The secondary springing of the swing bolsters is secured by steel coil springs with parallel hydraulic rotating dampers. On the swing bolsters there are pivot bearings, which facilitate full rotation of the bogie below the body without any limitations.
Wheels and engines
All bogies are equipped with identical wheels, which have tyres damping rubber pads to minimize noise. Selected bogies could be equipped with a sanding system.The vehicle is driven by traction units. Each unit consists of traction container on the vehicle roof and of four traction motors, which drive wheels of one driving bogie. Individual wheel drive on respective bogies secures perfect use of adhesive conditions and ideal ride both in bends and on straight lines. There are three-phase synchronous motors with permanent magnet excitation on rotor. They are fixed to the bogie framework from the wheels outside. The traction motors don't use a gear box - they drive tram wheels directly through a mechanically disconnectable jaw clutch.
While the drive is controlled by two control units connected together by fast serial communication, the safety circuits and functions are hardware-resolved.
Brakes
Braking is mainly done by electrodynamic brake enabling recuperation of the braking energy back to the electrical grid. If there is no need of it, the braking energy is being used primarily for feeding the vehicle's auxiliary equipment with the rest depleted in the brake resistors. The electrodynamic brake is able to automatically run even during grid's voltage failure. In case of failure braking is automatically done by the system of friction disc brake, which works until the vehicle comes to a complete halt. The friction disc brake is hydraulically controlled with an electric compression unit. Each bogies is also equipped with a pair of electromagnetic rail brakes with voltage of 24 V DC. The friction disc brake also ensures the parking brake function.Doors
The vehicle has two double doors on each body unit (or four of them on bi-directional version), or alternatively there can be one door each side on each body unit located in place of any of the side panels. The driver has a separate door leading to the driver's cabin. The doors slide outwards. Each door is equipped with an individual control unit, which operates it and communicates with the vehicle central control unit. In selected double-doors area there could be either ramp or lift enabling easy entry for passengers with restricted mobility. There could be also a room for bicycles and prams.Prague
Škoda ForCity won the bidding process of the Prague transport company for 250 new trams in 2005. The order is worth 17 billion CZKCzech koruna
The Czech koruna or Czech crown has been the currency of the Czech Republic since 8 February 1993 when, together with its Slovak counterpart, it replaced the Czechoslovak koruna at par....
(about 68 million CZK
Czech koruna
The Czech koruna or Czech crown has been the currency of the Czech Republic since 8 February 1993 when, together with its Slovak counterpart, it replaced the Czechoslovak koruna at par....
per unit (2,3 million €
Euro
The euro is the official currency of the eurozone: 17 of the 27 member states of the European Union. It is also the currency used by the Institutions of the European Union. The eurozone consists of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,...
per unit - 1€
Euro
The euro is the official currency of the eurozone: 17 of the 27 member states of the European Union. It is also the currency used by the Institutions of the European Union. The eurozone consists of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,...
2005=29,6CZK
Czech koruna
The Czech koruna or Czech crown has been the currency of the Czech Republic since 8 February 1993 when, together with its Slovak counterpart, it replaced the Czechoslovak koruna at par....
)).
The trials of the first prototype started in 2009, the first rides with passengers started in October 2010 and the last tramcar will be delivered in 2017. The prototype had 3 types of seats - wooden, plastic and with fabric upholstery. Passengers have decided in an internet poll that the wooden seats will be used in the delivered version.
During the delivery of the first batch in 2011, the Prague transport company started negotiations with Škoda regarding instalment of air conditioning for the passenger compartment. It also raised concern, that 1000 horse power streetcar may be unnecessarily powerful and proposed solution used at Riga version, which has only three out of four boogies driven. In view of the transport company the price of additional air conditioning should be covered by elimination of the first boogie's engines. As of May 2011, it is not yet decided, whether this solution will be applied. Firstly there is issue that participants of the original tender may contest the change and require a new competition for the delivery of Prague's trams, secondly it has to be tested, whether 15 T without full adhesion would be able to drive on Prague's hilly network.
Riga
In May 2008 Škoda made a contract with the RigaRiga
Riga is the capital and largest city of Latvia. With 702,891 inhabitants Riga is the largest city of the Baltic states, one of the largest cities in Northern Europe and home to more than one third of Latvia's population. The city is an important seaport and a major industrial, commercial,...
transport company (Latvia
Latvia
Latvia , officially the Republic of Latvia , is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by Estonia , to the south by Lithuania , to the east by the Russian Federation , to the southeast by Belarus and shares maritime borders to the west with Sweden...
) for delivery of 20 trams (with option
Real option
Real options valuation, also often termed Real options analysis, applies option valuation techniques to capital budgeting decisions. A real option itself, is the right — but not the obligation — to undertake some business decision; typically the option to make, abandon, expand, or contract a...
for another 32) worth 1,3 billion CZK
Czech koruna
The Czech koruna or Czech crown has been the currency of the Czech Republic since 8 February 1993 when, together with its Slovak counterpart, it replaced the Czechoslovak koruna at par....
(about 65 million CZK
Czech koruna
The Czech koruna or Czech crown has been the currency of the Czech Republic since 8 February 1993 when, together with its Slovak counterpart, it replaced the Czechoslovak koruna at par....
per unit (2,6 million €
Euro
The euro is the official currency of the eurozone: 17 of the 27 member states of the European Union. It is also the currency used by the Institutions of the European Union. The eurozone consists of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,...
per unit - 1€
Euro
The euro is the official currency of the eurozone: 17 of the 27 member states of the European Union. It is also the currency used by the Institutions of the European Union. The eurozone consists of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,...
2008 = 25CZK
Czech koruna
The Czech koruna or Czech crown has been the currency of the Czech Republic since 8 February 1993 when, together with its Slovak counterpart, it replaced the Czechoslovak koruna at par....
)). The bidding process started in 2007 and altogether 9 companies took part in it. The Riga variant is three-segmented, like the Prague version, with air-conditioning for whole tram (Prague only for driver's cabin) and it is in white-blue livery. Unlike Prague's version, which has all bogies driven due to difficult adhesive conditions (Prague has hilly terrain), the Riga tram has 3 bogies driven (the 1st bogie doesn't have motors). The tram has upholstered seats similar to those in Škoda trolleybuses used in Riga.
The first tram was delivered to Riga in March 2010, the second in August 2010 and the other 18 will be delivered before the end of 2010. The first rides with passengers were in June 2010 after preceding test-drives.
There will also be 6 four-segmented tramcars (41 meters long) made for Riga
Riga
Riga is the capital and largest city of Latvia. With 702,891 inhabitants Riga is the largest city of the Baltic states, one of the largest cities in Northern Europe and home to more than one third of Latvia's population. The city is an important seaport and a major industrial, commercial,...
, Latvia
Latvia
Latvia , officially the Republic of Latvia , is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by Estonia , to the south by Lithuania , to the east by the Russian Federation , to the southeast by Belarus and shares maritime borders to the west with Sweden...
, as the town decided to apply a part of the preagreed option
Real option
Real options valuation, also often termed Real options analysis, applies option valuation techniques to capital budgeting decisions. A real option itself, is the right — but not the obligation — to undertake some business decision; typically the option to make, abandon, expand, or contract a...
of 32 (which was part of the previous order for 20).
Other tenders
At the end of September 2010 Škoda entered bidding process for 12 new trams of GermanGermany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
city of Rostock
Rostock
Rostock -Early history:In the 11th century Polabian Slavs founded a settlement at the Warnow river called Roztoc ; the name Rostock is derived from that designation. The Danish king Valdemar I set the town aflame in 1161.Afterwards the place was settled by German traders...
with the ForCity tram. Škoda did not win this tender.
The 15T was also submitted in a proposal for Helsinki
Helsinki
Helsinki is the capital and largest city in Finland. It is in the region of Uusimaa, located in southern Finland, on the shore of the Gulf of Finland, an arm of the Baltic Sea. The population of the city of Helsinki is , making it by far the most populous municipality in Finland. Helsinki is...
, Finland
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
, but did not win the tenders, but in Miskolc
Miskolc
Miskolc is a city in northeastern Hungary, mainly with heavy industrial background. With a population close to 170,000 Miskolc is the fourth largest city of Hungary It is also the county capital of Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén and the regional centre of Northern Hungary.- Geography :Miskolc is located...
, Hungary
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
won for 31 units, but the contract is not signed yet. Currently, Škoda has entered a tender for Zürich
Zürich
Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland and the capital of the canton of Zurich. It is located in central Switzerland at the northwestern tip of Lake Zurich...
, Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
.
In April 2011 Škoda announced it will start a law suit against transport authority of Essen
Essen
- Origin of the name :In German-speaking countries, the name of the city Essen often causes confusion as to its origins, because it is commonly known as the German infinitive of the verb for the act of eating, and/or the German noun for food. Although scholars still dispute the interpretation of...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, which announced a selection procedure for delivery of 27 new trams. Škoda believes the procedure's technical requirements to be so specific that they effectively reduced competition (contrary to European law), leaving Škoda not able to offer its bid.
Testing in Chemnitz
There are planned test drives of Škoda 15T in German city ChemnitzChemnitz
Chemnitz is the third-largest city of the Free State of Saxony, Germany. Chemnitz is an independent city which is not part of any county and seat of the government region Direktionsbezirk Chemnitz. Located in the northern foothills of the Ore Mountains, it is a part of the Saxon triangle...
(previously known also as Karl-Marx-Stadt) from March 2011 until May 2011.