Ground-level power supply, also known as surface current collection and Alimentation par Sol (APS) is a modern method of third-rail electrical pick-up for street trams. It was invented for the Bordeaux tramway, which was constructed from 2000 and opened in 2003. Currently this is the only place it is used.
Track with APS under construction in Place Paul Doumer, Bordeaux.
A section of APS track showing the neutral sections at the end of the powered segments plus one of the insulating joint boxes which mechanically and electrically join the APS rail segments.
Tram travelling on APS arrives at Gavinies Tramstop which is transition point between APS and Overhead wires. The sign on the CCTV post tells the tram driver to travel in APS mode.
