Skip to main content

RFID eliminates overhead wiring for trams

A new RFID system developed by UK company Harting allows electric trams or buses to operate without overhead electric wiring in areas where it would be unacceptably obtrusive, such as historic town centres, or where it might cause interference to sensitive equipment.
May 11, 2015 Read time: 1 min

A new RFID system developed by UK company 8098 Harting allows electric trams or buses to operate without overhead electric wiring in areas where it would be unacceptably obtrusive, such as historic town centres, or where it might cause interference to sensitive equipment.

The use of RFID enables a vehicle to detect the location of a charging station in advance or to determine which operating mode it is permitted to drive in. Harting Ha-VIS RFID systems permit approach detection to a charging station with positioning accuracy of better than 50cm. In addition, the RFID transponder contains information on the authorised operating mode. The RFID transponder may be mounted on a platform, on the track or at a stop, even within concrete to protect from vandalism.

Related Content

  • Caltrans takes the long view of transport
    October 21, 2016
    Caltrans’ Malcolm Dougherty took time out of his schedule at ITS America 2016 in San Jose to talk to ITS International about current and future challenges. As director of California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) since mid-2012, many would say that Malcolm Dougherty has one of the best jobs in transportation. Caltrans is one of the most progressive and innovative transport authorities, implementing policies to encourage cycling, piloting new
  • ProPart AV trial crosses the line
    March 25, 2020
    The perceived safety benefits of autonomous vehicles can only be realised with precise positioning. Ben Spencer reports from Sweden on work by a European consortium which aims to use the technology to allow a truck to carry out an automated lane change
  • Activu and Mitsubishi give New Jersey controllers the big picture
    May 27, 2014
    Mitsubishi and Activu team up to help New Jersey emergency centre with real-time situational awareness. Sandy was the largest Atlantic hurricane in recorded history, with winds spanning an area of 1,100 miles and damages estimated at $68 billion. It killed at least 286 people in seven countries, from Jamaica to the Jersey Shore. But tropical storms are not the only challenge for emergency operations up and down the East Coast.
  • Helsinki commuters use RFID to buy tickets, post messages
    December 7, 2012
    By tapping a Near Field Communication (NFC)-enabled phone against the tags installed at 211 tram stops, passengers nine transit lines operated by Helsinki Region Transport (HRT) can now use their NFC-enabled mobile phones to not only pay for tickets, but also to upload and view comments on Helsinki Region Transport's online message wall. Helsinki Region Transport already enables commuters to purchase tickets using their mobile phones. Travellers can simply input an SMS code and send it as a text message in