Qatar Foundation to get turnkey tram system from Siemens

Siemens Rail Systems has received an order from the Qatar Foundation for the turnkey construction of a tram system in the capital Doha aimed at transforming Qatar into a knowledge-based society. The order is worth more than 100 million euros. The scope of supply also includes signaling and communication systems, electrification as well as the depot equipment. Siemens will also be equipping four of the stations with platform edge doors. Nineteen Avenio trams will run on 11.5 kilometers of track without any overhead contact lines. The system will be installed on the university campus and serve 25 stations. The trams will be equipped with the Sitras HES energy storage system from Siemens, with energy being supplied at the tram stops. The tram system will enter service in autumn 2015.

“Siemens is setting new standards in tram and light rail technology with its Avenio platform. The low-floor technology and ergonomic design provide a high level of passenger comfort. Its energy storage system for optimizing the energy balance and its operation without overhead contact lines are further aspects that go toward making the Avenio a model system for sustainable, rail-based mass transit as well as the most modern tram in the world.” That is the assessment of Hans-Joerg Grundmann, CEO of Siemens Rail Systems.

Siemens will supply 19 double-articulated trams each with an overall length of 27.7 m. The vehicles are 2.55 m wide and come with 1435 mm standard gauge bogies. Each tram can carry up to 239 passengers: The cars benefit from an end-to-end low-floor design. These Avenio trams will be specially equipped to cope with the country’s climatic conditions. In addition to an extra powerful air-conditioning system, special sun shades on the roof will protect the electrical equipment from radiant heat. The low-floor design and optimal arrangement of the double-leaf doors featured in the Avenio platform allow passengers to get on and off quickly, thus shortening dwell time at stations.

Engineer Saad Al Muhannadi, Qatar Foundation Vice President of Capital Projects and Facilities Management, said: “This agreement provides yet more evidence that Qatar Foundation is helping to spearhead the nation’s drive towards environmental sustainability. All of our new constructions are designed with the environment in mind, and this innovative transport scheme further demonstrates this commitment. Ultimately, our aim is to make the Qatar Foundation site a car-free zone and, with the introduction of the new tram system, we are well on our way to achieving this goal.”

Running without overhead contact lines has a positive effect on the urban landscape. The Sitras HES (Hybrid Energy Storage) system can be charged at each of the 25 stops even during the shortest of halts by means of centralized rectifier substations and distributed charging stations. Power converters transform the three-phase current with a rated voltage of 11 kV into the 750 V direct current required for charging the energy storage unit. Sitras HES is a system consisting of double-layer capacitors and a traction battery. No pantograph needs to be raised thanks to the special design of the overhead conductor rails at the tram stops.

Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development is a regional Center of Excellence in education and research that will help transform Qatar into a knowledge-based society as part of the Qatar National Vision 2030. It will house a unique cluster of top universities and world-class research and technology centers.