Two STTS vehicles, specially designed for the Channel Tunnel service tunnel, pass safely using a buried guidance wire system.
The Channel Tunnel Service Tunnel Transportation System Vehicles (STTS) are unique rubber-tyred, diesel-engined vehicles driven from both ends and used only in the service tunnel. A fleet of 24 STTS vehicles was made by Daimler Benz in Switzerland and is used mainly for tunnel maintenance but are designed to be utilised for other purposes when required such as fire fighting, ambulance or police. Removable and interchangeable pods with different purposes to a payload of –5 tonnes, are inserted into the side of the vehicles. The STTS vehicles cannot turn around within the tunnel and thus can be driven from either end at a maximum speed of 80 km/h (50 mph) when the steering is locked. Guidance in the service tunnel is automatically provided by a unique electronically controlled hydraulic system (called Electronic Track Guidance) in which the vehicles respond to signals from cables buried in the tunnel floor. This enables two STTS vehicles to pass at speed in the narrow tunnel without risk of collision. Although the STTS vehicles are unique and were specially designed for the Eurotunnel system, many of their components are ‘off-the shelf’ from existing Mercedes vehicles, making for ease of maintenance and low cost of spares. The Eurotunnel system consists of two rail tunnels with a smaller central service tunnel between the two providing a safe haven throughout the length of the system. The ventilation systems maintain the air pressure in the service tunnel at a higher level than in the rail tunnels to ensure that smoke or fumes cannot enter the service tunnel. The service tunnel is patrolled 24 hours a day, 365 days a year by emergency response teams in special vehicles adapted for the service tunnel. The Channel Tunnel is no ordinary project. The four types of cross-channel service that the Tunnel offers - conventional freight and passenger trains, plus two types of road vehicle shuttle have made it into the busiest railway in the world.
Size: 3257px × 3318px
Location: Channel Tunnel Service Tunnel between UK and France.
Photo credit: © qaphotos.com / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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