A New Paradigm – Instead of defining the “mass” as large groups moving in large vehicles stopping repeatedly at relatively few destinations…SkyTran moves tiny clusters of people (1 or 2) non-stop across a network of many more destinations in a fleet of small vehicles.

Energy efficient – Powered by electricity. Equivalent to over 200 miles per gallon of gasoline.

Low cost – Least expensive of all options to install and operate. Ten times less expensive than light rail.

No waiting, fixed routes or timetables – Takes you straight to your destination. No wasting time stopping at every station.

High speed & capacity – 45 MPH in the city. 150 mph between cities. One guideway has the same capacity as a 3 lane freeway.

The SkyTran vehicles are two person, personalized cabins giving you a comfortable ride so no need to drive. Just enter your destination via voice command or touch screen input and off you go! Like your car but faster, no stop lights, traffic jams or lost time. Adjust the climate controls, select your audio/video entertainment options, or stay in touch with full web access or vehicle to vehicle communication links. A fold down back seat is airline compliant allowing two suitcases and two carry-ons.

The driverless vehicles are kept safe and secure, propelled along elevated guideways to prevent collisions with surface traffic. Passive airbag and seat belts are included in case of unanticipated stops. An emergency button routes you to a hospital or the police for added security. The vehicles use computers, sensors and radar collision avoidance systems to navigate. All weather operation.

SkyTran has a faster average non-stop speed of 150 mph, which beats Transrapid’s typical average speed of 115 mph.

Getting on and off? Well, forget those massive stations or structures overwhelming the neighborhood and local environment, instead small portals are conveniently located every quarter mile or less, for outstanding neighborhood access. Unlike high speed line haul systems which must minimize stations to maintain average speed. AND handicap access, designated stops have electric lift capability to special vehicles for ADA compliance.

The SkyTran vehicle “surfs” on a magnetic wave, literally gliding on air as it is driven forward by an electric induction motor. Magnetic levitation provides a no contact bearing. There are no wheels to fail & replace, no bearings to grease. The only moving part is the vehicle on the guideway, so no maintenance.

It is completely safe, in the unlikely event of a power failure to the motor, the vehicle glides to a gentle stop. Unlike other maglev systems, loss of levitation and a sudden collapse onto the guideway is a physical impossibility with the SkyTran design.

Size matters and SkyTran blends into the urban form with a minimal footprint unlike large, cumbersome, high speed systems like Transrapid. It’s maglev guideway utilizes standard utility poles and universally available stock items. A modular system translates into lower cost components and faster, less complex installations. SkyTran uses off-the-shelf parts and civil engineering principles already proven in monorail and light rail systems. The lightweight, simple modular design translates into lower manufacturing, installation & operational costs.

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Tags: High-speed rail, Light rail, Maglev, magnetic levitation, Physics, SkyTran, Transportation, Transrapid

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