Smart trolley-bus systems: Why a presumed dead relic makes the difference to re-electrify public transportation

This paper deals with the electrification of public transportation. Initially the possible benefits are addressed and actual prospects for electrification are discussed. One of them is the Battery augmented trolley coach, which is object of a new research project around the city of Solingen. Still employing Germany's largest trolley-bus fleet they schedule to gradually exchange all remaining diesel buses. One main step in this course is a smart contact line grid, which helps to limit infrastructural investments and also leads to additional benefits.