Ultra low floor Guide, Meaning , Facts, Information and Description
The Ultra Low Floor tram (ULF) is a low floor tram currently operationg only in Vienna. It has the lowset floor-height in the world.In contrast to regular low floor trams, the floor in the interior of ULF is low enough to be at the same height as a sidewalk (about 18 cm above the road surfact), which makes access to trams particularly easy for passangers in wheelchairs or with perambulators. This required a completely new design of the undercarriage, where the axes had to be replaced by a complicated electronic steering of the traction motors. Auxiliary devices are installed largely under the roof of the cars.
The ULF technology went into testing in the early 1990s. Since 1998, ULFs are in use in Vienna's tram network, which where built by a consortium composed of Siemens and Elin in Vienna. As of June 20, 2004, 128 cars are in operation. 152 more are to enter into service until mid-2006. The order was placed in mid-2004. The producers also hope for orders from other cities, the prospects for which now seem to be improved given the technical problems of the Combino.
An ultra low floor tram (ULF) in Vienna, Austria (July 2003)