14 DAY TRIAL // KINKISHARYO’s prototype of the 100 percent low-floor, electro-hybrid streetcar specifically designed for North America, will be ending a year-long tour at the American Public Transportation Association Expo next month.
Having so far stopped in Charlotte, Dallas, Austin, Kansas City, Phoenix and Tempe, citizens of New Orleans will now have the chance to take a tour with the ameriTRAM prototype.
The ameriTRAM is powered by e-Brid, a propulsion technology that enables operation powered by overhead catenary or on-board lithium-ion batteries.
e-Brid charges the batteries while running on catenary power and when braking. In battery mode, e-Brid uses the stored electricity to operate at full performance without overhead wires. Depending on conditions, ameriTRAM can run on battery power for up to five miles.
Thanks to the e-Brid system, will reportedly save municipalities millions of dollars in capital investment and operational costs.
Also, because e-Brid enables battery-powered operation for up to five miles, ameriTRAM delivers immediate savings through lower power consumption and also eliminates harmful greenhouse gas emissions.
“The ameriTRAM is the ideal streetcar for downtown and historic areas, particularly those with preservation or aesthetic requirements where overhead catenary power is not feasible. The ameriTRAM defines the new standards for light rail vehicles because it reduces operational costs, improves public access and safety, is environmentally responsible and delivers overall greater value,” added Rainer Hombach, vice president and general manager of KINKISHARYO International.
What's more, ameriTRAM has a modular design allowing the length of the cars to be increased thereby increasing passenger capacity without increasing the total fleet size.
"Not only did we engineer ameriTRAM to comply with North American regulations and standards, we also integrated ideas from transportation officials and riders alike," said Bill Kleppinger, project manager of KINKISHARYO International.