TRAMPLUS: THERE'S NEW QUALITY FOR A MATURE TRAMWAY SYSTEM

This article describes the development of the new tramway system in the city of Rotterdam in the Netherlands. In the early 1990s, tram speeds were falling as the city expanded and journeys became longer and more complex. The operating company undertook an analysis of factors influencing tram speed, and planned TramPlus. Functional elements of this are reduced stopping times at platforms, obstacle-free platforms, easily accessible stations and platforms for elderly and disabled travellers, specified platform lengths and shelter size, and dynamic passenger information. TramPlus embodies metro technology to reduce halting times. The tram used has a low floor access, wide doors spread evenly down the vehicle, and wide spaces inside. The network is not a coherent system nor a direct competitor with the Rotterdam Metro; there are interchange points. One route, north-south line 20, is described in detail, and other routes in brief. The article also mentions developments in the RandstadRail light rail connection between Den Haag and Rotterdam.