Berlin streetcar made secure

Locking solutions for public transport must meet special requirements. Vandalism, corrosion and weather all put high demands on security systems for heavy-duty vehicles.

The Berlin Transportation Company (Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe, or BVG) manages the Berlin subway, light-rail and bus networks as well as several ferry lines. ASSA ABLOY’s brand Ikon, already a long-time supplier for buildings and stations, has now installed a security system for BVG’s new Flexity light-rail streetcars.

“We wanted a secure, robust and universal solution,” says Oliver Heisel at BVG. He is particularly pleased with the cooperation with the key account manager for vehicles and traffic at ASSA ABLOY Sicherheitstechnik GmbH, Gilbert Schlechtendahl. “He understood the objective for the installation and ensured it all went smoothly.”

The project team needed to cover the safety technical aspects but also to have pure functionality in mind. The cylinders used for BVG ensure both. “For instance, the strong vibrations to which rail vehicles are often exposed must be taken into account in order to guarantee long-term operational reliability,” Gilbert says.

It was also important to adapt the door-closer solutions to special requirements such as rattling business, to guarantee smooth driving conditions. Another requirement was routines for fast and cost-effective maintenance.

“We are happy with the products,” Oliver Heisel says. “We would definitely choose Ikon again because of its maintenance program and constant quality improvement, and, of course, thanks to our contacts with Gilbert.”