Expert Review Panel Notes
January 18, 2001 at 3-5 pm
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Fixed Guideway Systems
(a) Low Capacity
Aeromobile
¨ · Hovercraft
¨ · 4-5 people, go up different grades in steps
Austrans
¨ · Prototype working in Sydney
¨ · Steel wheels, rail
¨ Replace a few large vehicles with a fleet of smaller vehicles
¨ · $24 million/mile
CyberTran
¨ Large number of smaller vehicles, 10-20 passengers per vehicle
¨ · Maximum grade is 10%
¨ · Prototype track in Almeda, CA, ready for deployment in two years
The Flash
¨ · For urban use
¨ · 4 people per vehicle
¨ · No track, antenna in middle of concrete
FlexiTaxi
¨ Uses pressurized air
Knolle Magnetrans
¨ · Reliability is questionable
¨ · Prototype and small test track
¨ · "Like old mining train"
Taxi 2000
¨ · Electric motor, propulsion "Likely to be deployed"
¨ · System to haul people during the day and garbage at night?
¨ · Rosemont demonstration but Raytheon pulled out
¨ · SeaTac was going to see how Rosemont went, was thinking of trying it
¨ · Cardiff Wales will be operating by 2003
(b) Medium Capacity
System 21
¨ · One guideway, cars on either side
¨ · 52 people per car Sharp turning radius
¨ · ¼ size prototype, building a full scale 1.4 mile track in Charleston SC
High Road
¨ · Monorail
AeroRail
¨ 55-80 mph
¨ · Prototype in N. Texas
¨ · Good for accessibility, ground stations possible
¨ · Could have elevated stations
¨ · Trying to procure funding for a test site
Whoosh
¨ · Atmospheric engine for propulsion
¨ Concept stage only
HSST
¨ · 8 mm gap, but could operate in snow and other adverse weather conditions
¨ · Vehicle wrapped around rail, Maglev system
¨ · 2 vehicle sizes, 300-1,000 passengers/train
¨ · Is in development, 3 demonstration projects in the works
Maglev 2000
¨ · 6-8" gap (levitation space)
¨ · Concern in group about the size of the gap/ Consultant to look into reason why so big.
¨ · Test track near Cape Canaveral
¨ · Demonstration project near Cape Canaveral, 20 miles in length, to be operational by 2009
¨ · Comment: Government interest in Maglev technology
(c) Hiqh Capacity
Aerobus
¨ · By Cable?
¨ · Discussion about use across Lake Washington. Conclusion that the lake is too wide, and towers would require significant right-of-way acquisition
¨ · Used now at ski resorts
SkyTrain
¨ · Overhead suspended light rail
¨ · Lots of car sizes
¨ · Patented suspension system
¨ · Off-the-shelf technology
Aeromovel
¨ · Waiting for cost information
¨ · 2 installations- Brazil, Indonesia
¨ · Magnetodynamic suspension
M-VI Monorail
¨ · 290 people per car
¨ · Installed in Disney, installing in Las Vegas
¨ · Roughly $75 million per mile
¨ · Similar to Seattle's monorail. If designed like Seattle's max speed 60-65 mph
(d) General Comments
Do proposals reflect reality. Example, 2 second headways?
Are cost considerations comprehensive? Do they for example, include things like emergency walkways?
For elevated systems, what do you do if one vehicle is disabled? Have to back up all other vehicles on line to get the disabled one out.
Note that many systems are installed in amusement parks or ski resorts, aren't used as a primary source for commuting.
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