I don't know what I expected when I started this Blog. It was supposed to be an outlet for ideas I've been thinking about. It's somewhat disappointing that no one reads or comments, but then again I haven't done much to promote it.
I am satisfied to be writing for my own sake.
I am still thinking often about the transportation system idea. Eventually I would like to make a web-site entirely dedicated to it, with schematics and renderings of what it would look like if it is ever built.
The latest design is based on a mono-rail, suspended high above ground level. The "cars" would hang down, much like ski-lift systems, only they would slide on the fixed rail, instead of a rope.
The single track would be suspended by a stretched line above it, in order to compensate for bend due to gravity, so it will be as horizontal as possible. Small hills and valleys can be compensated by varying the height of the poles which support the track.
As I said the weight of each car would be supported on a sliding mechanism as close to frictionless as possible, but the driving force could either be provided by a wheel or by magnetic propulsion.
The best part I think is eliminating heavy engines and batteries, since the track can supply the energy necessary to maintain motion. Furthermore there is a huge energy saving from not needing to make stops from start to destination. Each car can travel independently, changing tracks as needed while in full motion.
The mechanism for changing tracks or coming off to make a stop at a destination is not fully worked out yet. The cars can decouple to the sides or even drop down with a small mechanical turn in part of the track at specific locations. This will all be controlled by the system, no passenger involvement necessary. The goal is to make it as safe as possible, meaning 100 percent in all whether conditions.
This is clearly the domain of Engineers to design it.
Such a system could in principle outperform air-travel over land, not just in speed but cost as well.
The energy required for an airplane to take off and stay in the air is huge in comparison to gliding on a low-friction, fixed track, meters above the ground. In addition the cars themselves could be made as aerodynamic as possible, connecting closely together when traveling on the same in the same route just like a high-speed train.
Note on the sliding mechanism.
I read in a physics book that the coefficient of friction between two surfaces can be greatly reduced by the right vibration, in addition to lubrication. A thin layer of compound could cover the track surface and piazo-electric crystals embedded in the track itself, only activated when there is a car passing, thus lowering resistance even further. This system could rival the best wheel and bearing alternative for this application, especially at high speeds. Wheels tend to wear down because the point of contact is very small. The slider could be much longer and distribute the weight evenly.
A final note on traveling comfort.
Without frequent acceleration, the ride would be very smooth. There would be time to relax or use productively, once freed from the task of driving. This is a good reason to take passenger comfort as a priority. At first I envisioned the vehicles as small compared to today's cars. Now I realize that even on short trips people need to have space, and not feel closed inside a metal box.
It is always good to sight-see when traveling. Being high above ground will offer a good view, so the vehicle needs to have an open frame with large windows, yet also to look safe, as some people might be afraid of heights. There should be the option to shade the occupants if they need privacy or darkness.
Finally, an on-board monitoring system should check to see if anything has been forgotten, since vehicles are shared on the system. This is perhaps the hardest change to get used to. It is personal transit in that a person can travel alone in a car to their destination, however the cars remain in operation for other passengers to use.
The idea for each human to own their own car is a bad one and not in line with my thinking.
This system is simply about getting from point A to point B as comfortably and quickly as possible.
