Bombardier GLT/TVR
A “tram” approaches the southwestern terminal of the line.
( 30.06.2008 , Yury Maller )
Bombardier GLT/TVR
The guidance rail is laid within the segment of the line in the city center, as well as in the areas that would have required extensive steering, which includes both terminals. Thus, GLT vehicles detach / reattach to the guidance rail several times throughout the regular service route.
( 30.06.2008 , Yury Maller )
Bombardier GLT/TVR
A short layover a the southwestern terminal of the line.
( 30.06.2008 , Yury Maller )
Bombardier GLT/TVR
A “tram” leaves the terminal.
( 30.06.2008 , Yury Maller )
Bombardier GLT/TVR
A “tram” operates as a conventional trolleybus within segments of the line that are not equipped with the guidance rail. In this photo the “tram” bypasses a stop due to lack of passengers – all stops are theoretically made on request only.
( 30.06.2008 , Yury Maller )
Bombardier GLT/TVR
The city of Nancy is situated in a valley amid low mountains, which nevertheless provides for steep grades for some streets at the fringes of the city.
( 30.06.2008 , Yury Maller )
Bombardier GLT/TVR
The GLT technology is criticized over poor steering and low controllability of vehicles in unguided mode.
( 30.06.2008 , Yury Maller )
Bombardier GLT/TVR
Ability to overtake steep grades is one of claimed advantages of rubber-tired tram technologies. This quality does not, however, necessitates guidance: within most segments with grades Nancy “trams” operate as simple conventional trolleybuses.
( 30.06.2008 , Yury Maller )
Bombardier GLT/TVR
( 30.06.2008 , Yury Maller )
Bombardier GLT/TVR
( 30.06.2008 , Yury Maller )
Bombardier GLT/TVR
( 30.06.2008 , Yury Maller )
Bombardier GLT/TVR
The 150 m. long section of the line via Avenue Jean Jaures between Rue Leon Blum and Avenue du Vieux Chateau follows a narrow section of the street that allows for passage of one vehicle at-a-time in each direction, which move is controlled by signals.
( 30.06.2008 , Yury Maller )
Bombardier GLT/TVR
An inbound “tram” is about to attach to the guidance rail at the designated port. The rail would guide the “tram” via the segment of the line through the central part of the city.
( 30.06.2008 , Yury Maller )
Bombardier GLT/TVR
An outbound “tram” detaches from the guidance rail without a need for a port – the guidance rail simply ends in the middle of the street.
( 30.06.2008 , Yury Maller )
Bombardier GLT/TVR
“Tram” stops along unguided segments of the line resemble simple bus stops, while stops within the guided segment are complex station installations.
( 30.06.2008 , Yury Maller )
Bombardier GLT/TVR
Next to all guided segments of the line are built on a reservation with no other automobile traffic allowed over the guidance rail. Moreover, there are only limited segments with mix operation with diesel buses.
( 30.06.2008 , Yury Maller )
Bombardier GLT/TVR
Aligned docking at low-floor platforms with comfortable boarding and no need for additional loading equipment for wheelchairs – are one of few claimed advantages of guided rubber-tired vehicles. Note pole-trappers mounted on the overhead. These are followed by a docking port for reattachment to the guidance rail further down the line. Nancy GLT vehicles are capable of operating in diesel mode as well as in electric mode, and thus do not depend on infrastructure availability at all times.
( 30.06.2008 , Yury Maller )
Bombardier GLT/TVR
Note intermediate docking ports for impromptu attachment to the guidance rail setup at many locations along the line.
( 30.06.2008 , Yury Maller )
Bombardier GLT/TVR
Next to all guided segments of the line are built on a reservation with no other automobile traffic allowed over the guidance rail. Nevertheless, cars do move over the GLT right-of-way in order to reach roadside parking spaces.
( 30.06.2008 , Yury Maller )
Bombardier GLT/TVR
( 30.06.2008 , Yury Maller )
Bombardier GLT/TVR
Note one of many speed restriction signs for "trams" posted along the guided segment fo the line.
( 30.06.2008 , Yury Maller )
Bombardier GLT/TVR
Note significant wear and tear of the road surface within the “tram” right-of-way occurring due to rubber tires of excessively heavy GLT vehicles continuously following the same path. This does not provide for a comfortable ride that rubber-tired guided technologies claim as its advantage.
( 30.06.2008 , Yury Maller )
Diesel bus
A depot access service track spur off the main line.
( 30.06.2008 , Yury Maller )
Bombardier GLT/TVR
Note the third set of overhead wires that lead to a turn off toward the Depot.
( 30.06.2008 , Yury Maller )
Bombardier GLT/TVR
A “tram” in the square in-front of the Main Railroad Station.
( 30.06.2008 , Yury Maller )
Bombardier GLT/TVR
A “tram” in the square in-front of the Main Railroad Station. After a series of derailments within curves, the speed restriction in all curves is now set at 10 km/h.
( 30.06.2008 , Yury Maller )
Bombardier GLT/TVR
The segment via successive Rue Pierre Semard, Rue Saint-Jean and Rue Saint-Geroges (which is technically the same continuous street) is a dedicated GLT-pedestrian mall only.
( 30.06.2008 , Yury Maller )
A conventional electric tramway operated in Nancy between 1899 - 1958. The given street is the site of the future GLT-pedastrian mall.
( 1901 , Free license )
( 1901 , Free license )
Renault PER 180 dual-mode trolleybus
A conventional trolleybus operated in Nancy between 1982 - 1998. The system was closed in favor of the GLT project with some infrastructure including sections of the overhead utilized by the new rubber-tired "tram". The given street is the site of the future GLT-pedastrian mall.
( 19.04.1986 , Free license )
Bombardier GLT/TVR
The only segment of the line where "trams" operate in guided mode while in mixed traffic with other cars. This segment is also used by diesel city buses.
( 30.06.2008 , Yury Maller )
Bombardier GLT/TVR
An inbound “tram” is about to attach to the guidance rail at the designated port. The rail would guide the “tram” via the segment of the line through the central part of the city. Outbound “trams” detach from the guidance rail earlier and operate in the opposite direction in a conventional trolleybus mode.
( 30.06.2008 , Yury Maller )
Bombardier GLT/TVR
An inbound “tram” operates in a conventional trolleybus mode as it crosses an outbound path of the same line, courtesy to a curious arrangement of one-way streets at the eastern end of the line.
( 30.06.2008 , Yury Maller )
Bombardier GLT/TVR
Rubber-tired guided trams are infamous for requiring scrupulous infrastructure monitoring and maintenance. The 250 m. long segment of the line on Rue des Pres (behind workers in this photo) that precedes the northeastern Essey Mouzimpre Terminal, is a "single-track" section, where a single guidance rail is used by vehicles operating in either direction.
( 30.06.2008 , Yury Maller )
Bombardier GLT/TVR
( 30.06.2008 , Yury Maller )
Bombardier GLT/TVR
A “tram” enters the terminal loop at the northeastern end of the line.
( 30.06.2008 , Yury Maller )
Bombardier GLT/TVR
An intermodal transfer with a suburban feeder bus.
( 30.06.2008 , Yury Maller )
Bombardier GLT/TVR
The northeastern terminal is designated point for longer layovers between runs stretching up to one interval between consecutive “trams”. This allows for an opportunity to size up what a 2-car train of GLT vehicles might have looked like.
( 30.06.2008 , Yury Maller )