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Proto Travolator

6th June 1987, Page 25
6th June 1987
Page 25
Page 25, 6th June 1987 — Proto Travolator
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• A revolutionary concept in PSV construction debuted last week at the UITP show in Lausaunne (see page 24). The DAB Travolator is a hydrostatically-driven, all-wheel-steering, prototype city bus which has load bearing elements built into its roof, rather than the floor.

The unusual single decker has been built by Leyland-DAB of Denmark, working with the Copenhagen College of Engineering and Arhus Sporveje, one of the most progressive Danish public transport undertakings.

To achieve a low floor, and a boarding height of 320mm, the Travolator has a portal-type frame which links front and rear sections by putting structural members in the roof, reducing underbody elements to 'the basic' flooring sandwich.

What architects call 'curtain walling' is then hung from the roof. Seafs are attached to these sidewalls and to tubular hangers fixed in the roof. This relieves the floor loading and provides improved passenger comfort and easier cleaning.

The section above the front axle, however, is rather cramped with a narrow aisle and precipitous footstools for the seven seats.

The main saloon has 20 seats with large standing areas behind the front axle and at the rear of the passenger section; total carrying capacity is 75. This is far less than a conventional 12m-long bus, due partly to the space taken up by the engine compartment, which is above the drive axle at the extreme rear of the bus.

To compensate for the Travolator's exceptionally-long 8.9m wheelbase, and to provide good manoeuvrability, both front and rear axles are steered at speeds up to 30Iun/h, while the drive axle is locked-up at speeds above. The steering arrangement also allows the Travolator to crab sideways at low speeds.

The prototype Leyland DAB bus is powered by a transversely mounted 143kW MAN engine driving a Rexroth hydraulic pump linked to the hydrostatic wheel motors and a secondary pump for the steering. Control of the driveline and energy storage systems is all by microprocessor.

The rear suspension, on rubber elements, is fixed to the floor supports and roof structure, but is so designed that the entire power pack and drive wheels can be removed from the main structure in less than an hour.

The Travolator features a passenger information system developed by Arhus which includes pre-programmed announcements via a distancelinked tape device. The 'SEinform' installation uses a visual display as well as loudspeakers and can compensate for tyre wear, minor detours, and stops not served on all workings.

The Travolator prototype is due to enter service by the autumn and is likely to undergo 18 months of trials before any decision is taken on a final production specification. Leyland Bus has taken shares in Leyland DAB.


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