HEAG mobilo GmbH is modernising the tram network in Darmstadt. The aim is to provide comfortable boarding and alighting with fewer steps for all passengers. Instead of costly full-scale conversions, the transport company is opting for partial platform height increases.
63 modular ramp systems made of glass fibre-reinforced plastic (GRP) from fisco are being used. They reduce the boarding height by five centimetres. Secure anchoring in the ground is provided by fischer UltraCut FBS II concrete screws made of stainless steel.
Darmstadt is a major centre for science and business. Around 76,500 people commute to the city every day. Barrier-free local public transport is indispensable. Step-reduced boarding helps wheelchair users and people using walking aids. Families with pushchairs and travellers with heavy luggage also benefit from this.
Most HEAG mobilo stops are already considered largely accessible. Nevertheless, a step of around five centimetres remained at many stations. Many platforms date back to the 1990s. Substrates, materials and gradients vary considerably. 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-fibre-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. For combined bus and train stops, a variant with a length of 5.80 m is available.
Low weight: One element weighs less than 11 kg. Installation can be carried out manually 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 pushchairs roll over it effortlessly.
Robust material: GRP is extremely durable, weatherproof, UV-resistant and does not conduct electricity. The yellow signal colour ensures good visibility.
Compensation for unevenness: The system reliably compensates for slopes and unevenness in the subsoil. The ramps remain permanently stable.
Every station comes with its own conditions. Against this backdrop, our modular ramp system and the fastening solution used have proven to be particularly practical.
The installation was preceded by an extensive testing phase. As early as 2022, HEAG mobilo tested ramps from fisco across its rail network. Passenger surveys gave top marks for comfort, safety and visibility. The components also proved to be wear-resistant and low-maintenance throughout all seasons.
With the project in Darmstadt, fisco is setting another milestone in infrastructure expansion. Previously, 67 platform height increases were completed in Jena, along with 81 curb height increases in Kassel.
