Rivium

Name	Business Park Rivium GRT Application
Client	Stadsregio Rotterdam and operating company ConneXXion
Location	Business Park Rivium, Capelle aan den IJssel, the Netherlands
Function	The ParkShuttle connects business park Rivium and the residential area Fascinatio (both located in the city of Capelle aan den IJssel) as well as business park Brainpark III (located in the city of Rotterdam) with the metro and bus station Kralingse Zoom (located in the city of Rotterdam).
Status	Live operation from November 2008, following generation 1 operations from February 1999. The operations contract through December 2016 has recently been awarded to Connexxion ensuring operations are continuing.
Description	1.8km of (dual-lane) guideway (at grade) with 6 vehicles connecting 5 stations. Most of the track is created at grade, even featuring at grade intersections with pedestrians (5) and cars (3). In addition there are two grade separated crossings where the track crosses underneath an interstate and over a highway.Most of the stations are located within the Rivium business park (3), with an additional station servicing both the Brainpark III business park and the residential area Fascinatio.The system operates on schedule in peak hours, with all 6 vehicles available for transportation. In off peak hours the vehicles alternate charging, with the vehicles remaining in service operating on-demand. Distribution over the track is such that the waiting time for passengers at each stop is minimized.The system is operational on weekdays, from 06.00 in the morning until 21.00 at night. A single operator is on duty during operational hours, supported by a small maintenance engineer during ‘ office-hours’. Each Friday (when demand is typically lower) one of the vehicles is serviced.
Capacity	The capacity of is theoretically 480 passengers per hour per direction, based on a 20 passenger occupancy. In practice the actual occupancy of the vehicles during peak hours can be higher.
Supplier	2getthere, Utrecht, the Netherlands
End Users Benefits	all top softwar free torrent Rivium business park employees are provided with a (maximum) 7,5 minute connection, where previous bus lines provided a (minimum) 15 minute connection. The service level has been greatly optimized, with an interval of 2,5 minutes instead of the previous 12 minute interval for the bus. The service level in off-peak hours is ensured by operations on-demand, with the vehicles positioning themselves such to minimize waiting time at all stations. There are no emissions at the point of use. The system uses lead acid batteries which provide a 75+km range. The vehicle features a flat floor which aligns accurately with stations to allow safe and easy access for push chairs, wheelchairs, luggage and people, meeting the access requirements for disabled passengers.
Owner Benefits	The system is operated against costs similar to that of a bus line, but provides a much better service level (2,5 vs. 12 minutes). Personnel costs are substantially lower as only one operator is required to keep 6 vehicles running. The system ensures the city meets its requirements in regard to the accessibility of the business park with public transportation. There are no emissions at the point of use. The system uses lead acid batteries which provide a 75+km range. As the system operates on demand outside peak hours, no energy is consumed when there are no passengers.
Technical	The system runs up to a maximum speed of 32 KpH (technically 36 KpH is possible, with the speed being constrained due to the lay-out). The vehicles operate on a completely flat track, according to virtual routes. The position of the vehicle is verified relative to external reference points (magnets embedded in the road surface) The supervisory monitoring system has a distributed architecture ensuring robustness and flexibility. The system has a distributor function ensuring that during off peak hours the vehicles distribute themselves over the track such that the waiting time at each station is minimized. In peak hours the system operates on schedule. The headway (time between vehicles) is 10 seconds minimum. Separation of the vehicles is ensured through radio based communications and the obstacle detection system of the vehicles. Vehicles are powered by Lead-Acid batteries (Track-air) providing a range of approximately 75 kilometers. Recharging is done when during the night hours and with vehicles alternating during mid-day, ensuring all vehicles are operational during the morning and afternoon peak hours. Recharging is an automatic process conducted in the maintenance facility. All vehicles are equipped with an advanced obstacle detection system, allowing the vehicle to slow and stop for obstacles near or in the vehicle driving path respectively. Each vehicle has 2 way communications between the operator and passenger. On board CCTV and heating is provided. On board LCD screens display journey status and other useful passenger messages.
Safety	The Rivium application has undergone detailed, qualitative evaluation by the Dutch Organization of Applied Scientific Research (TNO) with additional tests conducted to proof the accuracy of the guidance principle and the obstacle detection systems. 2getthere and Connexxion participated closely in the evaluation.
Contributors	The following organisations played a key part in the design and development of Rivium GRT system: Stadsregio Rotterdam – Concessionaire City of Capelle aan den IJssel – Owner Connexxion – Operating Company 2getthere – System supplier Advanced Netherlands Transport (ANT) – Project Management TNO – Safety Analysis, Testing Verfication Spijkstaal – Chassis Manufacture Cargotec ACT – Controls Development Frog AGV Systems – Supervisory System support Qcat – Communication design and realization Unihorn – Infrastructure Engineering Ko Hartog – Signalling design and realization
Feedback	Passenger feedback on the system has been overwhelmingly positive with people showing no reservations and/or fear of using trackless vehicles. As operating company Connexxion has also expressed its content with the performance of the system and the service it is delivering.
Video	In Operation