Alstom APS

Conduit current collection was used in historic tram systems in Washington, Manhattan, Paris, Berlin, Marseilles, Vienna, Budapest and London.

[8] Unlike the track-side third rail that is used by most metro trains and some main-line railways, APS poses no danger to people or animals and so can be used in pedestrian areas and city streets.

The first ground-level power supply system developed to modern safety standards was the Ansaldo Stream, although Alstom APS was the first to be commercially implemented in 2003.

Construction and testing continued through 2001 to 2003, and the first section of the tramway opened on 21 December 2003 in the presence of President Jacques Chirac, and the mayor of Bordeaux, Alain Juppé.

[15] Alstom, Elonroad, and other companies in 2020 began drafting a standard for ground-level power supply electric roads.

[26][27] A working group of the French Ministry of Ecology considers rail ground-level power supply technology to be the most likely candidate for electric roads.

Bordeaux tram using APS on route B near the Roustaing tramstop
A section of APS track showing the neutral sections at the end of the powered segments plus one of the insulating joint boxes which mechanically and electrically join the APS rail segments
Track with APS under construction in Place Paul Doumer, Bordeaux
Alstom APS tracks on the CBD and South East Light Rail in Sydney