Sighting of hi-tech light rail tram gives city a glimpse into the future of travel
THERE was an unusual sight on city streets as one of Coventry’s future trams could be spotted wending its way around some familiar landmarks.
However rather than being on rails the futuristic Very Light Rail (VLR) carriage was being transported atop a low loader.
The prototype VLR vehicle, which has the potential to transform how people move about the city, is in the process of being moved on to a new destination ready for real on track testing.
Over the last two years researchers from WMG, University of Warwick, together with Transport
Design International (TDI), have been designing and building the new Coventry VLR vehicle for Coventry City Council.
The project will see an electric powered, zero-emissions, lightweight, rail-based public transport system arrive in Coventry.
The vehicle is in the process of being moved from the city for some static software testing before moving to a dedicated track at BCIMO in Dudley.
The prototype vehicle completed a short tour of Coventry so it could see its future operational home.
After leaving the vehicle production site in Coventry it stopped outside the Co-op building and the Coventry Transport Museum so the public could get a better view.
Councillor Jim O’boyle, cabinet member for jobs and regeneration and Coventry and Warwickshire LEP board director, said: “I am really pleased to see the first prototype vehicle out of the factory and on to our city’s streets.
“Even on a low loader it looks impressive - modern, sleek and of course the fact it’s battery powered means it’s good for the environment and air quality too.
“Very Light Rail has reached this really important point thanks to all of the researchers, innovators, engineers and manufacturing skills we have right here in the city. “And I believe that we can create jobs and opportunities for local people as we lead the green industrial revolution.”
Cllr O’boyle added: “Coventry was the beating heart of the carbon revolution and now with projects like this, UKBIC, our electric bus fleet and our plans for a gigafactory we will lead the zero-carbon revolution too. On track testing will take some time - but it should prove the concept - and at that stage I expect there to be lots of interest in VLR from other areas of the UK and abroad. This is a very exciting moment.”
Dr Darren Hughes, from WMG, University of Warwick, added: ”It is very exciting for us to see the development of the Coventry Very Light Rail vehicle move onto the next phase of testing in Dudley, and to see the vehicle in the city which it will one day call home. The vehicle has been constructed within Coventry with a reliance on a regional supply chain where possible, showing the strength in depth of local manufacturing. It is a unique vehicle with state-of-the-art technologies including an advanced battery power-train and resilient glazing making it even safer for public use.”
Darren Smith, head of TDI, said: “The TDI team are extremely pleased with the project’s progress to date.
“The future economic benefits, both nationally and locally, this project will bring cannot be underestimated and TDI are very proud to be entrusted to deliver it for our client, WMG.”