Ultra Low Floor

The Ultra Low Floor tram (ULF) is a low-floor tram operating in Vienna, Austria and Oradea, Romania, built by a consortium composed of Siemens and ELIN in Vienna. It has the lowest floor-height of any such vehicle.

ULF (B1) in Vienna (April 2009)
ULF (A1) Oradea (June 2009)
Engine of an ULF

Overview

In contrast to other low-floor trams, the floor in the interior of ULF is at sidewalk height (about 18 cm or 7 inches above the road surface), which makes access to trams easy for passengers in wheelchairs or with baby carriages. This configuration required a new undercarriage. The axles had to be replaced by a complex electronic steering of the traction motors. Auxiliary devices are installed largely under the car's roof.

The ULF technology went into testing in the early 1990s. Since 1998, ULFs have been in use on Vienna's tram network. As of mid-2008, 302 cars were in operation (150 cars since mid-2006, and another 152 as of 2007).

Siemens ULF trams were introduced in Oradea, Romania on 24 April 2008, and are the only ULF trams outside Austria.[1]

Technical specifications
City / Operator Type designation Built in Number of vehicles Length Width Weight (empty) Maximum power
Vienna / Wiener LinienA1995 (prototype), 19975024.20 2.40 30 t6 x 60 kW
Vienna / Wiener LinienA12007–20158024.20 2.40 30 t6 x 36 kW
Vienna / Wiener LinienB1995 (prototype), 199810035.30 2.40 43 t8 x 60 kW
Vienna / Wiener LinienB12009–10035.30 2.40 43 t8 x 36 kW
Oradea / OTLA12008–20091024.20 2.40 30 t6 x 36 kW
  • Electronic and engine parts on the head of two ULF
  • Trial unit of a ULF in Vienna, 1994
  • Short version (Type A) of first-generation ULF in Vienna
  • Long version (Type B) of the second-generation ULF in Vienna
  • Short version (Type A1) of the second-generation ULF in Vienna
  • Long version (Type A1) of the second-generation ULF in Vienna
  • ULF (A1) Oradea (June 2009)
  • Interior of a first-generation ULF
  • Interior of a second-generation ULF

Notes
  1. "Oradea orders export ULF". Railway Gazette International. 5 Feb 2008.
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