The SMRrTRAM Synchronization Architecture will use battery-electric, hybrid, or catenary powered tramcars. Village Technology has designed a concept low-floor tramcar which has rubber-tired wheels guided by a single rail.

The SMRrTRAM Synchronization Architecture has two characteristics that make it an ideal application for simple, battery-electric trams:

1. The relatively slow speeds (9-18 mph average) of the Synchronization Architecture are ideal for battery powered traction drives.

2. The fixed, repetitive routes with frequent stops are ideal for multiple inductive "opportunity" battery-charging strategies.

Low-floors, and multiple door-sets for fast, convenient boarding are essential features. In their "docking" position at a Stop-Boarding Area, wheel-chairs and baby strollers will be able to roll on directly from the sidewalk boarding area.

For the European market, the English Company HilTECH is developing the Tesla 50, an ultra-light city transport vehicle which is being tailored to utilize the SMRrTRAM People-Mover Architecture. The Tesla 50 has several unique features, including changeable bogie-suspension systems for either fixed-rail or rubber-tire operations. Three energy source options will be offered: 1. Battery/super-capacitor with high-frequency inductive charging; 2. CNG/biogas genset hybrids; 3. Hydrogen fuel cell. CONTACT: jholden@hiltechdevelopments.com