French breakthrough innovation on Zurich trams could revolutionize public safety

This unique concept, brought to life by French engineers, debuted on the streets of Zurich, marking a world-first in public transport innovation. In this city, a new approach to public transport safety was trialled, showcasing a potential game-changer that could save countless lives across the globe.

The demonstration, involving a mannequin, was nothing short of breathtaking. It simulated an accident involving a careless pedestrian straying onto the tracks.

As the tram heads directly towards the mannequin, it isn't speeding, but a collision seems inevitable. Then, just before the expected impact, which would almost certainly result in tragedy were it a real person, something extraordinary occurs. A cushion, resembling an inflatable mattress, suddenly inflates at the tram's front and absorbs the impact. Miraculously, the mannequin remains unharmed.

The experiments took place at the VBZ tram depot in Zurich Altstetten and were overseen by the Federal Office of Transport. The prototype, the brainchild of French rail vehicle manufacturer Alstom, was meticulously developed over 2.5 years.

ZüriToday reported that project manager Marcel Kunz shared the positive outcomes of these tests with the Swiss media. The results confirmed the airbag's ability to deploy swiftly and its practical benefits.

This innovation has the potential to significantly reduce the severity of tram collisions with pedestrians or vehicles, changing the face of urban safety.

Despite the success of these initial tests, it may be some time before such technology is widely adopted. Alstom has already begun patenting this invention, with plans to refine the system further. The focus now is on enhancing the device's responsiveness.

Marcel Kunz emphasized the goal of improving the airbag's reaction time. Sensors that detect imminent danger activate the airbag, an aspect of the technology still being perfected.