UK: The prototype Coventry Very Light Rail vehicle is now being tested on a 220 m demonstration section of track in the city centre.
Trial running began on May 30, carrying invited guests and members of the public who pre-booked for the chance to ride on the vehicle. The trials on a section of on-street track follow extensive testing on a private track at the Very Light Rail National Innovation Centre in Dudley.
The VLR project led by Coventry City Council aims to a low-cost alternative to conventional light rail. The ambition is that a VLR line could be built in half the time and at less than half the cost of a traditional tramway, making light rail viable for small and medium-sized cities.
VLR comprises a novel design of track designed for rapid and low-cost installation without the need for extensive excavations and expensive utility relocations, as well as a lightweight battery powered vehicle with a capacity of up to 60 passengers.
The city council says soft market testing has found ‘numerous opportunities’ for VLR across the UK and overseas, with a potential annual market of £2·3bn by 2040.
- Learn more: read Rail Business UK’s in-depth article on the Coventry Very Light Rail project.
