Why Are Tram Wheels "Invisible"? Unveiling the Core Technology of Low-Floor Trams

Trams gliding through city streets appear to almost "float" on their tracks, with smooth, quiet carriages where wheels are rarely seen. This leads many residents to wonder: Do modern trams even have wheels?

Of course they do. The real answer lies in low-floor technology and the unique structure of urban rail vehicles.

Low-Floor Body Hides the Wheels Naturally

Modern trams commonly adopt 70% or 100% low-floor designs, with floor heights typically ranging from 0.29 to 0.36 meters—significantly lower than metro and light rail trains (usually over 1 meter).

This design offers multiple advantages:

· Easier boarding and alighting, allowing the elderly, children, and individuals with disabilities to avoid high steps.

· No need for high platforms, making trams suitable for any location along city streets.

· Ability to navigate tracks with small curve radii, ideal for complex routes in city centers, residential areas, and industrial parks.

· Integrated design with the urban landscape, with wheels fully enclosed within the body.

Thus, as a tram moves smoothly along its tracks, passengers only see the clean, flowing side skirts of the carriage, with no traditionally exposed wheels in sight.

Key Components Hidden Under the Body: Resilient Wheels

Unlike traditional railway vehicles, modern trams widely use resilient wheels.

These wheels are part of the core running gear and consist of the following structures:

· Wheel core, wheel rim, retaining ring

· Elastic rubber blocks

· Grounding strips

· Noise reduction plates

Resilient wheels support the entire vehicle's weight and are responsible for transmitting traction and braking forces.

The rubber blocks between the wheel rim and core are crucial, as they:

· Absorb shocks and vibrations from the track

· Reduce operational noise

· Enhance comfort for city street operation

The grounding strips and noise reduction plates installed on the exterior further ensure safety and quiet performance in complex urban environments.

Hiding the wheels is not "magic" but a testament to technological progress in modern urban rail transit.

The low-floor structure gives trams both elegance and efficiency, while resilient wheels ensure their safe, quiet, and smooth operation.