The SD-100 and SD-160 are light-rail

Light rail

Light rail or light rail transit is a form of urban rail public transportation that generally has a lower capacity and lower speed than heavy rail and metro systems, but higher capacity and higher speed than traditional street-running tram systems...

 vehicles manufactured by Siemens

Siemens AG

Siemens AG is a German multinational conglomerate company headquartered in Munich, Germany. It is the largest Europe-based electronics and electrical engineering company....

. The SD-100 uses motors that run on direct-current electricity while the SD-160 model features newer motors that run using alternating current. Both models are suited for loading at street level and high-platform level. The two models of car are in use in San Diego (SD-100), Salt Lake City (both models), Denver (both models), Calgary (SD-160) and Edmonton (SD-160).

Technical details

The SD-160's dimensions are 24.802 metres (81.4 ft) by 2.654 metres (8.7 ft) by 3.811 metres (12.5 ft) and can be used in trains of up to six cars. It is powered by four AC

Alternating current

In alternating current the movement of electric charge periodically reverses direction. In direct current , the flow of electric charge is only in one direction....

 motors which provide a maximum of 580 kW and a maximum speed of 80 kilometres per hour (49.7 mph). It accelerates at 1.07 m/s² and decelerates at 1.31 m/s², with emergency braking deceleration of 2.63 m/s². The brakes also serve as a generator, passively regenerating power back in the city's electrical lines. It has a passenger capacity of 236 passengers (standing) with 64 seats.

Regarding its predecessor, the Siemens-Duewag U2

Siemens-Duewag U2

The Siemens-Duewag U2 is a type of light-rail vehicle . The cars were built by consortium of Siemens, Wegmann & Co. and Duewag. The U2 design was built on the Siemens U1 prototype tram built in 1965 ....

, its driver's cabin is significantly larger, but the total length is still less than 25 metres (82 ft), allowing three vehicles to be combined and still be under the 75 metres (246.1 ft) maximum length of a German streetcar consist. Each vehicle also features an onboard closed circuit TV security camera system for increased passenger safety.

See also

• Edmonton LRT
• C-Train
  C-Train
  C-Train is the light rail transit system in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. It has been in operation since May 25, 1981. The system is operated by Calgary Transit, a department of the Calgary municipal government.-Operations:...
  
  
• San Diego Trolley
  San Diego Trolley
  The San Diego Trolley is a light rail system operating in the metropolitan area of San Diego. The operator, San Diego Trolley, Inc. , is a subsidiary of the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System ...
  
  
• UTA TRAX
  UTA TRAX
  TRAX is a three-line light rail system in Utah's Salt Lake Valley, serving Salt Lake City and several of its suburbs throughout Salt Lake County. The system is operated by the Utah Transit Authority ....
  
  
• Siemens–Duewag U2
• Siemens SD-400
  Siemens SD-400
  The Siemens SD-400 LRV is an electric light rail vehicle locomotive built by Siemens-Duewag AG. It is powered by four individual Siemens DC-IBGT electric motors with each one developing and creating a combined total power output of . Electric current is received via an overhead catenary wire...
  
  
• Siemens SD-460
  Siemens SD-460
  The Siemens SD-460 LRV is an electric light rail vehicle locomotive built by Siemens-USA AG; it is very similar in appearance to the older Siemens SD-400 model with the exception of this version using AC traction motors and updated electronic systems instead...