Vehicle Overview
The ULTra Heathrow vehicle design.
The ULTra vehicle's modern design immediately conveys the feeling of travelling in an iconic “streamlined” mode of travel, with clean and subtle lines the result of extensive design and customer focus research. ATS began developing the ULTra system in 1995, and the design of the vehicles has progressed from initial concept, through prototyping and testing (the Cardiff Test Facility opened in 2001), to reach the sleek and high quality product supplied to BAA for the London Heathrow application.
Capacity
A standard ULTra vehicle is fitted with four contoured seats, with ample space for other items such as shopping, pushchairs and luggage (Total ~450kg). Other arrangements are possible, such as bench seating (selected by BAA for the Heathrow vehicles) which allows further flexibility in group sizing, such as five adults plus luggage, or two adults with four children. The vehicles can also easily accommodate bicycles and wheelchairs, and are designed to meet access requirements for both the UK (Disability Discrimination Act, DDA) and the US (Americans with Disabilities Act, ADA) - see the Accessibility page for further information.
An example of an ULTra vehicle interior; this option is fitted with four contoured seats, with room for shopping, pushchairs or luggage. The vehicles can also easily accommodate bicycles and wheelchairs.
The vehicle is designed to make the passenger feel safe, secure, and comfortable at all times.
Passenger Comfort & Security
The personal nature of the ULTra experience ensures that passengers feel safe and secure at all times: passengers have exclusive use of their vehicles and travel only with chosen companions - once a passenger journey starts the vehicles do not stop to pick up other passengers. In addition, the vehicle is continuously monitored by the control system during use - passengers may contact the system controller at any time, and the controller can talk to the passengers, see them via onboard CCTV, and respond to any concerns immediately.
Air-conditioning and heating systems provide passenger comfort during journeys, and can be adapted to suit the most extreme environments. The vehicle controls, lighting and information systems are designed to the latest standards to aid usability, with the option of in-vehicle media systems (e.g. music/video clips) to provide entertainment if desired.
For further details, please see the pages on the user benefits of the ULTra system.
An ULTra vehicle under construction.
Construction
ULTra vehicles are four wheeled with rubber pneumatic tyres, front-wheel steering and conventional damped spring suspension. They comprise an aluminium ladder frame chassis on which the majority of the vehicle propulsion and guidance equipment is mounted. Sitting on top of the chassis is an aluminium honeycomb floor. The above floor level is constructed of a steel frame and an ABS panel body that can be fitted with single side or double side electric doors.
See the Configuration & Features and Vehicle Specifications pages for more details.
Guidance and Power
Vehicles use a laser sensor system to guide the vehicles on the guideway and in the stations. Vehicles are currently lead acid battery powered to allow for rapid charging (up to 150amps) and to achieve recyclability. The vehicles are designed to be adaptable for future battery developments and for other power sources such as hydrogen fuel cells, ultracapacitors, and Tesla Motors-style lithium ion battery systems. Batteries are charged via electrical contacts at station berths, or at waiting points. ULTra vehicles have a very low energy usage of 0.15Kw h/vehicle km at 25mph.
See the Control Systems page for an operational overview of the ULTra control system.
Videos
The ULTra passenger experience