The Ultra Low Floor tram (ULF) is a low floortram currently operating only in Vienna, Austria. It has the lowest floor-height in the world.
In contrast to regular low floor trams, the floor in the interior of ULF is low enough to be at the same height as a sidewalk (about 18 cm above the road surface), which makes access to trams particularly easy for passengers in wheelchairs or with perambulators. This configuration required a completely new design of the undercarriage, and the axles had to be replaced by a complicated electronic steering of the traction motors. Auxiliary devices are installed largely under the roofs of the cars.
The ULF technology went into testing in the early 1990s. Since 1998, ULFs have been in use in Vienna's tram network; they were built by a consortium composed of Siemens and Elin in Vienna. As of June 20, 2004, 128 cars were in operation. An additional 152 are to enter into service in mid-2006. The order was placed in mid-2004. The producers also hope for orders from other cities, the prospects for which now seem to be improved in light of the technical problems with the Combino.
An ultralowfloortram (ULF) in Vienna, Austria (July 2003)
In contrast to regular lowfloortrams, the floor in the interior of ULF is low enough to be at the same height as a sidewalk (about 18 cm above the road surface), which makes access to trams particularly easy for passengers in wheelchairs or with perambulators.
Since 1998, ULFs have been in use in Vienna'stram network; they were built by a consortium composed of Siemens and Elin in Vienna.
A recent development in the transport industry, vehicles of this type have a stepless entry and usually have an area without seating next to at least one of the doors where wheelchairs and perambulators can be parked.
The lowfloor may extend over the complete length of the vehicle, or some parts may be higher with ramps or steps inside the passenger compartment to allow for under-floor components.
In buses and trolleybuses, lowfloors can be complemented by a hydraulic 'kneeling device', which can be used when the bus is not in motion, tilting it to one side and thus lowering it even further towards the surface level of the road.
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