AutoTram® Extra Grand

The AutoTram^® Extra Grand was developed within the research program »Innovative Regionale Wachstumskerne«, which was initiated by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF).

The project demonstrated a future-oriented technology for public transport. As an intermediate public transport vehicle, it combines features of conventional buses (e.g. high flexibility, low infrastructure costs and moderate life cycle costs) with the advantages of trams like high transport capacity, driving comfort and the possibility of partial emission-free operation.

One feature of special importance is the excellent maneuverability of the double-articulated, over 30 m-long vehicle. Due to its novel joint and gangway systems in combination with an electronic multi-axle steering system, it is almost swept path-free in curves, both in forward and in reverse drive. With its turning circle of 12.5 meters, which is extremely small considering its length, the AutoTram^® Extra Grand meets the registration criteria for road vehicles in public transport. Due to its high passenger capacity, comparably low costs and high operational flexibility, the AutoTram^® Extra Grand is especially well-suited for urban areas and mega cities with a fast-growing demand for transportation.

The foundations for the intermediary vehicle concept have been developed at the Fraunhofer IVI over the course of several years.

Development and simulation of conventional, hybrid and electric drivetrains; intermediary vehicles; hybrid, battery und fuel cell buses; energy management and auxiliary control strategies; operational strategies

Modeling, configuration and state diagnosis of electromechanical, electrochemical and thermo-dynamic storages and converters; complex development environment for the design and modeling of the propulsion control for vehicles and transport systems; control and regulation of mechatronic systems

Test environment for the application of fuel cells and energy storage units in vehicle technology

Battery system development

Novel multi-axle steering systems; cornering characteristics and vehicle dynamics (kinetic and kinematic multi-body systems, simulation); automated lane guidance for vehicles; test vehicles with measuring equipment;  

• Electronic lane guidance
• Electronic multi-axle steering system

System solutions for the fast transmission of electric energy to vehicles; ageing diagnoses and operating concepts

Investigation of galvanic high current contacts

Machine-based methods for the planning and assessment of obstacle bypassing; consumption displays; feasibility studies; risk analyses

Planning of obstacle bypassing with vehicles

Simulation tool IVIsion

Support for vehicle and vehicle component registration

Models of transport demand and transport network for public and private transport; Studies on the implementation of innovative transportation systems; operating concepts for public transport systems; lifecycle cost and cost-benefit analyses

Electric bus systems – introduction concepts

Energy and power demand in public transport vehicles