HEAG mobilo GmbH is modernizing the tram network in Darmstadt. The aim is to ensure comfortable, low-step boarding and alighting for all passengers. Instead of costly complete conversions, the transport company is opting for partial platform height increases.
63 modular ramp systems made of glass fiber-reinforced plastic (GRP) from fisco are being used. They reduce the boarding height by five centimeters. fischer UltraCut FBS II concrete screws made of stainless steel ensure secure anchoring in the substrate.
Darmstadt is an important center for science and business. Around 76,500 people commute to the city every day. Accessible local public transport is indispensable. Low-step entry helps wheelchair users and people with walking aids. Families with strollers and travelers with heavy luggage also benefit.
Most HEAG mobilo stops are already considered low-barrier. Nevertheless, a step of around five centimeters remained at many stations. Many platforms date back to the 1990s. Substrates, materials and gradients vary greatly. Completely rebuilding the stops would have been very expensive and would have blocked rail traffic for months.
The structural adaptation is carried out specifically in the boarding area of low-floor trains. The fischer subsidiary fisco developed precisely fitting ramp systems made of glass-fiber-reinforced plastic for this purpose.
Precisely fitting dimensions: Depending on the stop, installation depths of 57 cm or 84 cm are available. The standard length is 4.60 m. A 5.80 m long version is available for combined bus and train stops.
Low weight: One element weighs less than 11 kg. Installation can be carried out by hand without heavy lifting equipment. This saves valuable time.
High safety: The surface meets slip resistance class R13. A flat leading edge prevents tripping hazards. Wheelchairs and strollers roll over it effortlessly.
Robust material: GRP is extremely resilient, weather-resistant, UV-resistant and does not conduct electricity. The yellow signal color ensures good visibility.
Compensation for unevenness: The system reliably compensates for slopes and unevenness in the substrate. The ramps remain permanently stable.
Every stop comes with its own conditions. It is precisely against this backdrop that our modular ramp system and the fastening solution used prove to be particularly practical.
The installation was preceded by an extensive testing phase. From as early as 2022, HEAG mobilo tested ramps from fisco throughout its rail network. Passenger surveys gave top marks for comfort, safety and visibility. The components also proved to be wear-resistant and low-maintenance in all seasons.
With the project in Darmstadt, fisco is setting another milestone in infrastructure expansion. Previously, 67 platform height increases were completed in Jena, as well as 81 curb elevations in Kassel.
