In the 21st century new approaches to urban electric transport improvement are required. As a tram is one of the best means of passenger transportation it is essential to enhance its operation. So the aim of this article is to consider improving the energy performance of the electric traction drive of urban electric transport by improving its electrical equipment. The analysis of traction systems of electric trams which are in operation in the cities of Ukraine is carried out, their

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... s are displayed. A new structure and control algorithms for the electric traction drive system with pulse converters of tram cars are proposed. The structure makes it possible to reduce the number of semiconductor devices in pulse converters and improve the energy performance of the electric traction drive.It allows to reverse tram trajectory without using contact equipment,to provide a smooth field weakening of traction motors, limit the voltage of the traction motors at the nominal level, provide redundancy of the equipment in pulse converters, as well as ensure electric braking. A modernized field attenuation circuit using a DC/DC converter for traction electric motors of sequential excitation is suggested. The results of research are given. The comparative characteristics of various traction drive systems in terms of energy indicators are provided.