On 21st of October 2017, a small but important section of the Rio de Janeiro tram network got opened is reported by Urbanrail.net website. Between Saara and the Gamboa/Pereira Reis junction. The tram line 2 is now complete. 350 meters of the new section got a tunnel too. All in all, this extension is only 1.9km but is an important step towards finishing the VLT Light-Rail Tram system in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
New tram system opened for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro
Not only is this just a new tram part that is finished. But this whole light-rail network is totally new. Also these trams doesn’t use overhead power at all. It uses a third rail between the rails, which provides power to the trams without harming any humans or animals touching them. This is due to the APS system that was invented for the Bordeaux tramway in France in 2000. Until 2011, this was the only place that got this type of power rail in the middle of the rails (since Germany had it many years ago that didn’t work so well because people got power shocks when walking on them!).
APS uses a third rail placed between the running rails, divided electrically into ten-metre rail segments with three-metre neutral sections between. Each tram has two power collection shoes, next to which are antennas that send radio signals to energise the power rail segments as the tram passes over them. At any one time, two consecutive segments under the tram will be live. – Wikipedia
Since 5th of June 2016, Rio de Janeiro have had this APS system that gives the city a much more tidy look for sure. This light-rail tram network is still not done, but by the end of 2017 it will be.
Light rail of Rio de Janeiro with its Alstom Citadis 402 beauties
As you can see in this video above. The light-rail trams network and its Alstom Citadis 402 beauties is for sure beautyness that many cities without light-rail tram systems should have a look at. This system might be a bit more expensive to build, but it gives a more beutiful look to your city. Overhead powerlines isn’t bad and it’s methods making those light-rail tram systems looking as good too. But without any overhead powerlines, you get less powerline mess in the air for sure.
We can all argue about how the 2016 summer olympics went and what it gave the people in Brazil. On one hand many of the arenas is now just not used anymore. However, light-rail tram systems like this is for sure giving something at least to the city. There is something with light-rail tram systems that boosts the spirit of the city a lot.
Source
urbanrail.net
Jontsa73 on YouTube
