Thursday, October 20, 2022
Yutong entrusts Lander with the development of a trolleybus simulator for the STE in Mexico
The current Mexico City government has made significant investments to revitalise the STE (Electric Transport Service), an urban transport system that is essential for the daily movement of millions of people in one of the largest cities on the planet.
As a result of the modernising drive of the capital city’s authorities, the STE has renewed its entire vehicle fleet, completing the purchase of 100 new 12-metre rigid trolleybuses from the Chinese manufacturer Yutong this September. This is in addition to the 80 rigid trolleybuses (12m) acquired in 2020 and 63 rigid trolleybuses (12m) acquired in 2019. Also, during this time, 58 articulated 18-metre trolleybuses were purchased, making a total of 301 new rigid and articulated trolleybuses.
Yutong has been the successful company in all the STE tenders for the purchase of electric trolleybuses, and the new trolleybuses also have the approval of the users, who have been able to enjoy notable improvements, such as a more modern vehicle design and the absence of engine noise, given that this is an electric vehicle, as well as the installation of surveillance cameras to safeguard security.
An important issue that concerns the Mexican government and the authorities responsible for the STE is to guarantee the safety of the citizens who take advantage of the urban transport service. The trolleybus operation is powered by catenary, and in certain parts of the route it runs in a confined lane, while in others it interacts with traffic, which means that its operation is not without risk and requires specialised driving skills.
That is why the STE decided to request the delivery of a driving simulator as part of the purchase of the new trolleybuses, in order to be able to provide training for trolleybus drivers in a controlled and safe environment that matches the complex reality that they experience in the day-to-day hours of operation.
Faced with the challenge of simulating a real scenario that reproduces real elements and situations on the STE trolleybus line, as well as the need to simulate real trolleybuses, Yutong made the decision to select Lander Simulation as a technological partner, trusting in the extensive experience of the company in the development of similar simulation projects with BRT systems and electric buses.
In these complex times where the energy crisis is raising the cost of living, the main advantage of having a driving simulator lies in being able to provide training in efficient driving, which results in optimising electricity consumption in the operation of the trolleybuses, without the need to use the real vehicle.
Lander Simulation is looking forward to bringing the company’s experience and knowledge of the urban passenger transport sector to the project, contributing to the provision of a safe, efficient and quality public transport system for Mexico City.