LUAS - Design

Tram Design
Citadis trams, manufactured by Alstom, were selected for the Luas following detailed assessment. Contracts for the supply of 40 trams for Lines A, B and C have been signed and delivery is well underway.

Capacity: - The basic 30 metre tram can carry up to approximately 235 persons - 60 of whom will be seated. Tram extensions and frequency can be combined to offer a wide range of capacities.

Environment: - Trams are electrically powered and therefore there are no smoke or gaseous emissions. A number of design features including resilient wheels, skirting, etc. combined with the fact that trams are electrically powered offer surprisingly quiet trams.

Accessibility: - Trams have been designed with the needs of mobility-impaired persons in mind - features include tram floors at same level as stop platforms to allow level boarding.

Length: - The basic tram is c.30 metres long and can be extended by adding modules of c.10 m to respond to additional capacity requirements. Of the 40 trams on order 22 are 30 metres long and 18 are 40 metres long

Height: - 3.27 metres excluding pantograph (the pantograph is the arm which reaches above the tram to connect with the overhead power lines).

Power: - Trams will be powered by electricity drawn from over-head wires at 750V D.C.

Maximum Speed: - 70 km/h

LRT Pathway ("swept path")
Width: - The width of the tram pathway (or "swept path") ranges from approximately 6.2 to 7.3 metres depending on the curvature of the alignment. This width accommodates two tracks (allowing trams to move in either direction along an LRT line independently of each other) and also allows for safety clearances from trams.

Marking: - The LRT swept path may be marked out by using distinctive coloured surfacing or materials, raising the path slightly above the adjacent road surface or a combination of these approaches.

Sharing: - Tracks will be set flush with the surface of the LRT pathway which means that it will be possible for other vehicles to cross the LRT pathway at junctions. To ensure the reliability of the system all other vehicles will in most instances be prohibited or otherwise discouraged from driving along the LRT pathway.

Power: - Power will be provided by means of over-head power lines which will be supported by cables attached to poles or adjacent buildings.

Gauge: - The track gauge is 1435 mm. ("gauge" is the spacing between the two rails of a track). This gauge is the standard European gauge - an obvious choice when the purchasing of trams and a whole host of other factors are considered.

Stops
Stops will typically comprise two platforms (one each side of the tracks) raised to about 330 mm above the level of the LRT path surface (i.e. about twice the height of a normal city centre kerb). These platforms will be 50 metres long and will include two 5 metre long ramped sections at each end to provide easy access to the 40 metre long level section of the platform for persons in wheelchairs and others whose mobility is impaired.

At some stops an "island" platform will be provided between the tracks instead of the more usual "lateral" platform arrangement referred to above.
Typically stops will incorporate...

• shelters similar to those provided at bus stops
• ticket vending machines
• ticket validators and
• a vertical cylindrical drum housing communications equipment, etc.

Park and Ride facilities will be provided at a number of stops such as at Red Cow stop on Line A and Sandyford, Stillorgan and Balally stops on Line B. Bus and heavy-rail interchange facilities will also be provided at key locations.