Hidden third rail streetcar?

Isn't there a streetcar system that has a hidden third rail along the middle of the track, and the power is induction? I thought DC Streetcar was that but it's using regular catenary line.

The former DC system (Capitol Transit and DC Transit, plus their forerunners) used hidden third rail conduit (see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conduit_c ... collection" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;, hybrid systems) but the current system uses overhead catenary.

There is a newbuild system in Bordeaux (3 routes), where the city authorities didn't want overhead wires in scenic or traditional areas, particularly on the bridge over the Garonne. The third rail is flush with the pavement and only energized when a car is actually over it; I don't know whether it's by induction or actual contact with a shoe. There were some bugs, but they seem to have been straightened out.

The Bordeaux system is Alstom's APS.
http://www.alstom.com/products-services ... er-supply/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Bombardier has a system called PRIMOVE which uses induction. I think there is at least 1 or 2 others.

The problem for me with these systems is the implied vendor lock-in.

The solution to the problem of vendor lock-in is the licence the power supply technologies out to other manufacturers.

Myrtone wrote:The solution to the problem of vendor lock-in is the licence the power supply technologies out to other manufacturers.

Why would the owner of the technology not want to keep the monopoly for the life of its patent? It can leverage the patent to be the sole-source vendor.

Because that might discourage others for adopting this system.