A unique aspect of a few of Paris' Métro lines is the use of rubber tires instead of steel wheels. Metro trains travel along a fixed guideway track, but are still electric with power supplied by one of the guiderails. A comprehensive diagram of how a rubber tired metro train receives and returns electricity can he found here. Steel back-up tracks exist adjacent to the tire's rollways. In case of a flat tire, the conventional rail tracks can be used. When Paris first implemented the tires, the system was focusing on expanding capacity. Rubber tires allow the trains to quickly accelerate and to brake, allowing trains to run closer to each other.Tires also eliminated the screeches on curves, a relief to those living near elevated sections (line 6). Other cities have adopted the rubber tired metro, such as Montréal, Lille, and Taipei.
Photo of a rubber tired metro on Paris Metro line 6. By wiki user Pline. Used under the Creative Commons Share-alike version 2.5.
