EBSF

Since 1997 Rouen has three rapid-transit guided-bus routes, called TEOR (Transport Est Ouest Rouennais). 66 vehicles are equipped with optical guidance systems of which 36 Irisbus AGORA L Euro II and 28 Irisbus CITELIS 18m Euro III. Each vehicle covers a distance of approximately 39,000 km per year, which is a total of more than two million kilometers.

Vertical and horizontal gaps between the bus door and the station palatform are a considerable obstacle to the objective of  "accessibility for everyone". The optical guidance on the TEOR network enables a better orientation of the bus at the station, but still there are vertical and horizontal gaps. These "holes" are always present and vary of a few centimeters. This makes accessing the vehicle difficult for reduced mobility people, ederly people and parents with prams.

Use Case Objectives

The EBSF innovations in Rouen are a further step forward to granting easy access to all, including those with special needs. Accessibility is improved thanks to two innovative solutions completing the current optical guidance system and removing all gaps between vehicle and dock of station: a high regulation and a miniflap called "gap filler"

The expected results are also to improve more generally the quality of passengers and potential users in promoting buses as an accessible mode of transportation for everyone.

Description of the work

In the Use Case of Rouen, two new systems are implemented by EBSF to limit the vertical gap:

- Adjustable electric system for height regulation and for vertical gap filling: The height regulation system detects the height of the dock thanks to electronic cells placed on the side of the vehicle. The system regulates automatically the vehicle's height with a suspension system and so putting the bus at the same level as the dock when the vehicle is approaching the bus station. This operation is realized automatically when the vehicle is in a bus station and stopped. Moreover, the movements due to suspension are similar to those produced by a conventional electronic suspension

- The gap filler between the bus and the dock with a retractable step: The system deploys as soon as the doors open, and retracts once the door is completely closed. The result is simple: the platform will deploy and settle on the dock suppressing the horizontal gap.

The test execution condition consists to equip 2 vehicles IrisBus (one Agora and one Citelis). The Agora is equipped by two systems: disposition of suspension electronic control and gap filler installation. The Citelis is equipped by the disposition of suspension electronic control.

Watch a video about the EBSF project in Rouen

(featuring Madrid Use Case)