The Karlsruhe model is a tram-train which reflects urban and heavy rail trains running on the same tracks. It was initially developed and implemented in the city of Karlsruhe, Germany by the local transit authority, Karlsruher Verkehrsverbund. Commencing service in 1992, it provides a connection between the regular railway network and the city's network for its trams. The whole network is now called Karlsruhe Stadtbahn. Passengers may travel from distant towns such as Baden-Baden directly into the city centre of Karlsruhe, bridging the inconvenient distance between the main station and the city centre. For most trips, the number of train changes has reduced significantly. The model has led to the creation of similar tram-trains.
Other systems that have implemented the Karlsruhe model:
- Chemnitz, Germany
- Saarbrücken, Germany
- Kassel, Germany
- Nordhausen, Germany
- Tyne and Wear Metro, UK
- RijnGouweLijn, the Netherlands
- RandstadRail, the Netherlands
Zwickau, Germany has reversed the Karlsruhe model by extending Lightweight RegioSprinter diesel trains from the main-line railway onto the street tramway as TrainTrams.
- The Adelaide Metro in Australia will use the Karlsruhe model for 4.8 km between Bowden and Woodville from 2015, extending another 4.2 km to Port Adelaide from 2018.
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