On 14/12/18 10:43 am, Prescott wrote:
> The typical fold-out (or electro/hydraulic, e.g. Perth) wheelchair

> ramp in trams and buses isn't designed to go down to the ground. It

> would be too long to fit if it was to comply with the required

> gradient. It's designed to bridge to a kerb (or a standard European

> bus and tram platform) which is typically about 150 mm high off the

> ground.

Given our buses tendency to catch on fire, getting wheel chairs off to
the ground safely could be an issue. The driver won't always be in a
position to pull over to the curb when the engine compartment bursts
into flames :-)

> To bridge to the ground from a typical 300 mm high tram doorway you

> need a wheelchair lift:

>

> http://www.railwaypreservation.com/vintagetrolley/InnoTrans_2010_Skoda_interior_7_sm.jpg

A large complex machine that will have a tendency not to work when you
need it most..... (Like when your engine has just burst into flames :-)

>

> On the other hand, our accomplished friends at PETS at Whiteman Park

> have obviously taken a leaf from the ferry handbook and built a

> "wharf" and gangway!

>

> http://www.historyworks.com.au/W1017e.jpg

>

The ramp I pictured on 2107 is used in a similar way with the 'back
platform' to get guests on and off the Y1 and other similar large
compartment trams. It's wasn't bought for the Vario, I just thought I'd
try it out when I discovered the supplied ramps wouldn't work.

On Saturday a younger member's grandmother did comment that she could
actually get in and out of 2107 relatively easily, while getting up into
the P was a struggle. Sydney Toastracks may have moved the masses, but
they were not for those with 'mobility challenges'.

In Vienna it will be interesting to see of the new Flexities can get
around corners with out flange squeal and destroying the track.  Wiener
Linien may have swapped the maintenance pain of the ULF design for the
maintenance pain of having to replace all their curves every 5 years.

One thing can be said of the ULF design, it goes around sharp curves
almost silently.