Phileas (public transport)
Phileas is a bus platform from the Dutch manufacturer APTS.
History
The first version of the Phileas was developed as a track bus system. It operates since 2004 as a pilot project for public transport in Eindhoven (Netherlands). The project was developed by Samenwerkingsverband Regio Eindhoven ( SRE). It is intended to link the public transport with high quality without major investment.
The concept emerged in the late 1990s and should also reflect the high technical know -how in the Eindhoven region to attract new jobs in this area.
The name is inspired by Phileas Fogg in Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne and is high speed symbolize.
Technology and application
The Phileas moves mainly in bus lanes. The navigation follows a pre-programmed route, which is constantly checked against by a magnetic guidance system in the street. Technically, the buses could drive autonomously, under the Netherlands legislation, however, is always a rider on board.
The vehicle is offered in a 18-meter version with a joint and two-joint in versions 24 and 26 m length. The transport capacity for standing passengers per square meter are 4/6/8 103/140/177 passengers at 18 m, 129/171/212 passengers at 24 meters and 141/185/230 passengers at 26 m; Deviations are possible depending on the seating arrangement.
In Eindhoven eleven -joint vehicles with 18 m length and a double articulated vehicle come (24 m ) are used. The speed limit is 80 km / h The interior offers 130 and 180 passengers.
In the future there will be vehicles in Douai (France). Other systems are planned in Vilnius, Korea, Israel and Amsterdam.
The Phileas is also used as Metrobüs in Istanbul (Turkey). The system consists Metrobüs since 2007 and now ranges from Avcilar to Kadikoy ( 2009). The used there Phileas buses fall in practice, however, from often. It is reported that they were not suitable for paths with many upgrades.
Hydrogen variant
A one-joint 18 m long hydrogen - hybrid version of the Phileas runs in two copies since 8 September 2011 at the Rhein -Erft and in Cologne. Two powerful 150 kW buses are employed in city traffic in Brühl and Hürth, as well as on the regional bus services. Besides APTS were the construction of the bus Vossloh Kiepe (hybrid technology ), Hoppecke batteries (battery), RWTH Aachen FH Cologne (energy management system ) involved. The fuel cell was purchased from Ballard Power Systems. The necessary for the operation of hydrogen is produced as a waste product from local chemical companies, recovered braking energy can be stored in a 26 kWh battery -making. The GVB in Amsterdam since 2012 set a two of these hydrogen-fueled buses.