Enotrac, an independent engineering consultancy was commissioned by Verkehrsbetriebe Karlsruhe VBK to provide a cost estimate for the electrical system refit of their GT6/8-70D/N low-floor light rail vehicles. This estimate was intended to provide decision-makers with a basis for determining whether to proceed with the vehicle refit.
Photo © Armin Schwarz
About the project
70D/N tram models across various lines. Delivered between 1995 and 2005, the earliest of these vehicles are now nearing the end of their projected lifespan. Several electrical components have already been discontinued by suppliers, with further obsolescence anticipated.
In light of plans for new vehicles procurement, the VDK is currently weighting up the future of its GT6/8-70D/N. Key questions include:
- Should the trams be retired and replaced entirely?
- Would it be viable to refurbish a portion of the fleet and continue operations using spare parts salvaged from the retired vehicles?
- Or should a complete refit be carried out on the entire fleet to ensure another 10–15 years of service?
Our contribution
Our Enotrac team provided VBK with a cost and effort estimate for a complete refit of all electronic and electrical systems across their entire fleet of 70 trams. The priority here was a quick turnaround within a few weeks, rather than an in-depth technical analysis.
Leveraging our experience and budget proposals for a handful of key cost drivers, we were able to estimate the material costs and the effort for engineering and assembly within a range of +/- 15%.
Our cost estimate helped VBK validate their own projections, ultimately providing a solid foundation for their decision-making process.
Facts and Figures
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Client
VBK Verkehrsbetriebe Karlsruhe GmbH
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Period
July – September 2021
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Location
Karlsruhe, Germany
Our services in the project
