trolleybus
Enable an agent to recognise a trolleybus, assess its electrical and passenger-service readiness, and determine whether it can operate on a specified route.
Research draft, second pass
A second pass drafted this model: the structure a model of this thing needs, and what is known about it in the world. The line under this one says how the second half was obtained - researched against sources, or recalled without web access, in which case nothing here was read anywhere and every claim is a lead to verify. Unreviewed either way.
recalled by Codex without web access - no source was read
Researched by: Codex
Purpose and description
Enable an agent to recognise a trolleybus, assess its electrical and passenger-service readiness, and determine whether it can operate on a specified route.
A trolleybus is a steerable, rubber-tyred road passenger vehicle propelled by electric motors and designed to receive traction power from two overhead conductors through current collectors, with some types also capable of operating away from the wires.
It can be Classify a vehicle as a trolleybus and distinguish its off-wire operating capability.; Check vehicle compatibility with a route's overhead supply, geometry and unwired sections.; Assess readiness for passenger service from collector, traction, protection and accessibility states.; Estimate whether an off-wire segment is feasible using documented energy and reserve assumptions.; Identify the applicable authorised procedure for dewirements, isolation, towing or reconnection.; Prioritise inspection of collectors, electrical insulation and onboard energy equipment from recorded condition..
Distinguishing features
Runs on road tyres and is steered rather than guided by rails, distinguishing it from a tram.
Collects traction power through separate supply and return contacts with paired overhead conductors; road tyres do not provide a rail-like traction return.
Is designed for passenger transport as a bus, distinguishing it from overhead-powered freight vehicles.
Can receive overhead electrical power while travelling; dependence solely on stationary charging does not establish trolleybus identity.
May include batteries or another auxiliary propulsion source for off-wire travel, so temporary operation with collectors lowered does not exclude it.
Scope
+ Identification by road-running configuration, passenger function and overhead current collection
+ Traction power path, current collectors and optional off-wire propulsion
+ Compatibility with overhead wiring, road geometry and operating routes
+ Passenger accommodation, accessibility and vehicle operating states
+ Electrical protection, maintenance condition and recovery requirements
- Design and maintenance of overhead wiring, substations and feeder networks
- Network timetables, fares and transport operator governance
- Battery-electric buses without traction current collection from overhead conductors
- Rail-guided tram vehicles and their track infrastructure
- Manufacturing organisations and product-line commercial records
Characteristics
- Vehicle configuration
- Rigid or articulated; axle count; driven axle arrangement Determines manoeuvring behaviour, capacity constraints and route suitability.
- Overhead electrical compatibility
- Nominal DC voltage and accepted voltage range in V Supports checking whether the vehicle can use a particular electrical network.
- Current collection arrangement
- Collector design, contact-head type and compatible overhead interface Distinguishes the collection mechanism and constrains wiring compatibility.
- Collector state
- Stowed, connected, dewired, repositioning, isolated or unknown Constrains traction availability and safe recovery actions.
- Propulsion mode
- Overhead supply, battery, auxiliary source, transition, disabled or unknown Identifies the active power path and applicable operating limits.
- Off-wire capability
- None, emergency movement, depot movement or scheduled service; supporting evidence required Prevents treating limited emergency mobility as unrestricted route capability.
- Usable onboard energy
- kWh, with state of charge in %, temperature and reserve assumptions Supports conditional estimates of off-wire operation.
- Permitted lateral deviation from overhead alignment
- m under specified wire height, collector geometry and operating conditions Constrains passing obstacles and approaching stops while remaining connected.
- Road envelope
- Length, width, relevant operating heights and turning envelope in m Supports clearance checks for roads, depots and collection equipment.
- Passenger loading limits
- Seated and standing persons; wheelchair spaces; permitted mass in kg Constrains service assignments and affects traction-energy demand.
- Electrical protection condition
- Verified serviceable, fault indicated, isolated, inspection due or unknown Determines whether connection, boarding or maintenance requires restriction.
- Approved operating network
- Links to network compatibility evidence, route restrictions and applicable approvals Separates general trolleybus identity from permission and fitness to operate locally.
Also called
+18
Where this came from
wikidata · CC0 1.0
Drafted structure
Bundle to layer to finding to question, as the second pass will find it: 6 bundles · 11 layers · 19 findings · 30 questions.
Identity and configuration Establish trolleybus identity and the vehicle configurations covered by the model.
Overhead-powered buses overlap with battery buses, hybrid buses and trams but have distinct recognition tests.
Recognition boundary
Separate trolleybuses from neighbouring transport kinds.
Road-running overhead traction
Record evidence of steerable road operation, passenger use and paired overhead traction current collection.
- What observed equipment or technical documentation establishes that this vehicle receives traction power from paired overhead conductors while moving? definition
- Which features distinguish it from a tram, a stationary-charge battery bus or an overhead-powered freight vehicle? boundary
Configuration variants
Represent body and propulsion variants without creating separate kinds unnecessarily.
Variant and instance separation
Separate kind-defining features from manufacturer options and the condition of a particular vehicle.
- Which body, articulation and auxiliary propulsion configurations occur within the trolleybus kind? definition
- Which recorded properties describe the kind, a product variant or only an individual vehicle? boundary
Current collection and traction Describe how overhead power reaches the traction system and how collection states constrain movement.
The paired overhead interface is central to trolleybus identity and creates distinctive compatibility and failure conditions.
Electrical interface
Capture vehicle requirements at the supply and return contacts.
Supply and return compatibility
Record the documented voltage, polarity handling and collection interface needed for network matching.
- What nominal voltage, operating voltage range and polarity conditions does the vehicle accept? measurement
- Which manufacturer or operator documents establish compatibility between its collectors and the network's contact wires and special work? provenance
Collector and drive states
Connect physical collector condition with traction availability and transition restrictions.
Collection state transitions
Record recognised connection states and the documented controls for losing, restoring or changing supply.
- How does the vehicle detect and indicate loss of contact, dewirements or an unavailable overhead supply? definition
- Under what documented conditions may traction resume after reconnection or transfer to another power source? action
Route fit and off-wire operation Determine where the vehicle can travel while connected and whether it can bridge unwired sections.
Trolleybus route feasibility depends on both road clearance and the geometry and availability of overhead supply.
Wired route envelope
Represent constraints imposed by collector reach, road geometry and overhead junctions.
Connected movement limits
Capture evidenced limits for manoeuvring beneath the wiring and traversing its junctions.
- What lateral deviation and wire-height envelope are permitted for the installed collectors? measurement
- Which route locations impose vehicle-specific restrictions at overhead switches, crossings, curves or unwired gaps? boundary
Off-wire energy
Represent autonomous movement capability and the assumptions behind its usable extent.
Off-wire service feasibility
Distinguish emergency mobility from scheduled off-wire service and relate both to available energy.
- Is off-wire propulsion approved for depot movement, emergencies or scheduled passenger operation? boundary
- What usable energy, route demand, auxiliary loads and reserve requirements determine whether a proposed unwired segment is feasible? measurement
- What connection time and charging conditions are required to restore the energy used on that segment? measurement
Passenger service and protection Assess service suitability at the intersection of bus accommodation and overhead electrical exposure.
A trolleybus must support accessible boarding while maintaining the protection required for an externally powered road vehicle.
Boarding and loading
Connect passenger accommodation with connected approaches to stops and vehicle loading.
Stop and load compatibility
Record whether the vehicle can serve the intended stops and carry the intended load within its operating limits.
- Can the vehicle approach the boarding position and deploy its accessibility equipment within the permitted collector envelope? boundary
- What passenger, wheelchair-space and mass limits apply to the configuration being assessed? measurement
Electrical service protection
Capture protection evidence and fault responses relevant to passengers and road-level personnel.
Body isolation and fault response
Record how hazardous electrical conditions are detected and how they restrict vehicle use.
- What documented insulation, monitoring and protective arrangements address faults between the traction circuit and accessible vehicle parts? provenance
- Which fault indications require service withdrawal or a specific authorised passenger-handling procedure? action
Maintenance, recovery and approval Connect trolleybus-specific wear, failures and recovery procedures to evidence of continued serviceability.
Collectors and high-voltage equipment require maintenance and recovery decisions beyond ordinary roadworthiness checks.
Collection system condition
Assess wear and damage in equipment that mechanically and electrically interfaces with the overhead network.
Collector inspection and recovery
Record inspection criteria and the authorised recovery path after collection-system incidents.
- What inspection intervals and rejection limits apply to contact inserts, collector heads, poles, retrievers and associated insulation? measurement
- Following a dewirement or collector strike, what inspection and personnel authorisation are required before reconnection or towing? action
Serviceability evidence
Identify the approvals and inspection records needed for the vehicle's actual jurisdiction and network.
Applicable requirements and records
Keep legal approval, technical compliance and operator acceptance traceable to their issuing authorities.
- Which road-vehicle, trolleybus electrical-safety, electromagnetic-compatibility and accessibility requirements apply, and who issues each? provenance
- Which approval records, inspection results and outstanding defects determine whether this vehicle may return to service on the intended network? action
Evidence and external alignment What the world already says about this thing, gathered so the model can be checked against it.
A model that cannot be lined up against existing standards, identifiers and practice cannot be adopted by anyone who already uses them.
Reported evidence
Findings from the breadth pass, kept separate from the structural claims.
Check these first
Recalled without web access and unsourced; every item is a lead to verify.
- This describes the vehicle kind, not an individual vehicle, manufacturer's model or complete overhead-wire transport system.
- Dimensions and voltages are indicative of common configurations, not defining limits; passenger capacity depends strongly on layout and permitted standing density.
- Regulatory applicability and the relevant amendment series require jurisdiction-specific checking; no sources were consulted for this recall.
- Which of these check these first hold for the sense of trolleybus this model covers, and on what evidence? provenance
Kinds and varieties
Recalled without web access and unsourced; every item is a lead to verify.
- Rigid trolleybus
- Articulated trolleybus
- Bi-articulated trolleybus
- Double-deck trolleybus
- Battery-equipped trolleybus with in-motion charging
- Dual-mode trolleybus with an onboard engine-generator
- Which of these kinds and varieties hold for the sense of trolleybus this model covers, and on what evidence? provenance
Identifiers and schemes
Recalled without web access and unsourced; every item is a lead to verify.
- Vehicle identification number (VIN) - 17-character alphanumeric identifier - Identifies an individual vehicle where the applicable vehicle identification system requires it; older vehicles may use other chassis identifiers.
- Operator fleet number - Locally assigned number or alphanumeric code - Identifies a vehicle within a transport operator's fleet; not globally unique.
- Which of these identifiers and schemes hold for the sense of trolleybus this model covers, and on what evidence? provenance
Standards and regulation
Recalled without web access and unsourced; every item is a lead to verify.
- UN Regulation No. 107, issued through UNECE: general construction requirements for category M2 and M3 passenger vehicles, including provisions specific to trolleybuses.
- Which of these standards and regulation hold for the sense of trolleybus this model covers, and on what evidence? provenance
Real-world use
Recalled without web access and unsourced; every item is a lead to verify.
- Scheduled urban passenger transport
- High-frequency services on corridors equipped with overhead wiring
- Passenger service on steep urban routes
- Routes combining wired sections with battery-powered extensions
- Which of these real-world use hold for the sense of trolleybus this model covers, and on what evidence? provenance
Typical measurements
Recalled without web access and unsourced; every item is a lead to verify.
- Nominal overhead supply voltage - 600-750 - V DC
- Vehicle length for common rigid and articulated configurations - 12-18 - m
- Overall body width - 2.5-2.55 - m
- Which of these typical measurements hold for the sense of trolleybus this model covers, and on what evidence? provenance
Failure modes and hazards
Recalled without web access and unsourced; every item is a lead to verify.
- Current collectors can leave the overhead wires, interrupting traction power and potentially damaging collectors or overhead equipment.
- Electrical insulation failure can create hazardous touch voltages on accessible vehicle parts.
- Worn collector contact inserts or defective overhead junctions can cause arcing and unreliable current collection.
- Brake, tyre or steering failures can cause loss of vehicle control.
- Battery-equipped vehicles can suffer battery overheating or fire; depleted batteries can prevent completion of an unwired section.
- Which of these failure modes and hazards hold for the sense of trolleybus this model covers, and on what evidence? provenance
Regional variation
Recalled without web access and unsourced; every item is a lead to verify.
- Supply voltage, overhead junction design and current-collection arrangements vary between networks.
- Vehicle dimensions, accessibility requirements and permitted passenger loads depend on local road and public-transport rules.
- Some networks depend almost entirely on continuous overhead wiring, while others use onboard batteries for substantial unwired sections.
- Which of these regional variation hold for the sense of trolleybus this model covers, and on what evidence? provenance
Neighbouring kinds and how to tell them apart
Recalled without web access and unsourced; every item is a lead to verify.
- Bus - A trolleybus is a subtype of bus distinguished by electric traction designed to draw power from overhead conductors.
- Battery-electric bus - A battery-electric bus ordinarily draws traction energy from onboard batteries; a trolleybus is designed to receive traction power from overhead wires while moving, even when it also carries batteries.
- Tram - A tram runs on rails that guide it; a trolleybus runs on road tyres and is steered.
- Trolley truck - A trolley truck uses overhead electric power for a goods-carrying or haulage vehicle rather than a passenger bus.
- Which of these neighbouring kinds and how to tell them apart hold for the sense of trolleybus this model covers, and on what evidence? provenance
What the second pass must settle
- Which authoritative definition should govern classification of dual-mode and in-motion-charging variants within this registry entry?
- Which standards, editions and approval regimes apply across the jurisdictions the model is intended to cover?
- What sourced ranges for dimensions, passenger capacity, supply voltage and off-wire capability are representative without being mistaken for universal limits?
- Which collector geometries and overhead interfaces require explicit compatibility categories, particularly for switches, crossings and automatic reconnection?
- Which protection thresholds, maintenance limits and recovery actions must remain specific to the manufacturer and operator rather than being generalised across trolleybuses?