Transport for Greater Manchester have confirmed \u00a34.6 million worth of funding to install new sensors on Manchester Metrolink trams to try and help stop tram surfers. Tram surfing \u2013 where individuals grab hold of the back of trams, or on the couplers between two coupled trams \u2013 has long been a scourge of tramways and after two people died in 2021, TfGM were told they needed to take action to prevent any further incidents.<\/p>\n
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New technology, known as LIDAR, uses lasers to paint a 3D map of the gap between two trams, and this should be able to identify to the driver if someone is located on the coupling. Its said similar technology is used by cars for cruise control and emergency braking.<\/p>\n
Danny Vaughan, TfGM\u2019s Chief Network Officer, said: \u201cThere\u2019s huge number of priorities from a safety perspective. This is one of many. The reason we focus on trams is it\u2019s a risk to the operation of Metrolink. We had two fatalities at the end of 2021 where people fell into the gap between the coupling. They were not necessarily surfing.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Office for Road and Rail (ORR) expressed some concern about our operation of the coupling. If we cannot run doubles then we limit capacity. The ORR said to operate doubles we have to mitigate the risk. We did everything they recommended, and the remaining thing was to investigate if we could employ new technology.\u201d<\/p>\n
The decision has not been met with unanimous approval from local Councillors though who feel the cash could be better spent elsewhere. This included Cllr Alan Quinn from Bury Council who told the Bee Network Committee: \u201cI am saying to say if you jump into two trams you know what you are doing. They are making a calculated choice. That money could be spent elsewhere. The people know exactly what they are doing.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Transport for Greater Manchester have confirmed \u00a34.6 million worth of funding to install new sensors on Manchester Metrolink trams to try and help stop tram surfers. Tram surfing \u2013 where individuals grab hold of the back of trams, or on … Continue reading