The CITADIS range of low-floor light rail vehicles from Alstom is described in relation to the worldwide trend towards building new light rail schemes. The first contract for the vehicles was from Dublin, followed by Montpellier, Orleans and Lyon. The CITADIS range is a modular family with a range of modules available to add to the basic construction. The basic ideas behind the development of the CITADIS carbody were sturdy construction to ensure at least 30 years of trouble-free life, modularity at component level to match all layouts and body widths, and damage limited to structural elements that can easily be replaced if damaged in a collision. The design of the CITADIS range is discussed with reference to bogies and trucks, the Arpege truck, the Solfege truck, the Corege truck and the driver's cab. Challenges for the future are identitied.
Abstract