Sky Trail

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=92 BGCOLOR="#111111" TEXT="#F7F7FF"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#33CCFF" FACE="Comic Sans MS" ><B>Seven  Creeks  Roadside  Spring Water</B></FONT><B>     |     </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Seven Creeks Roadside Spring Water"><B>home</B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id22.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Our Water">Our Water</A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id40.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Watershed">Watershed</A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id21.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Contact/Links">Contact/Links</A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id881.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Lucky Putt ">Lucky Putt </A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="hayrides.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Hayrides">Hayrides</A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="hayrides3c5.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Parties">Parties</A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="hayrides3c7.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Flea Market">Flea Market</A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id927.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Locals">Locals</A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id847.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Clay ">Clay </A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id824.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Spiritual">Spiritual</A><B>   |   </B><B>Sky Trail</B><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id800.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Tree Cabin">Tree Cabin</A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id53.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Other ">Other </A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id19.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Latest / Map">Latest / Map</A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=210 BGCOLOR="#111111" TEXT="#F7F7FF"> <div> Sky Trail<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#00FF00" FACE="Comic Sans MS" > meets the three functional requirements for an Elevated Transit & Trail (ET&T) design: 1. It must be elevated 2. It includes a trail for manual movement such as walking, biking, rollerblading, etc 3.  It provides automated transit cars that can reverse direction at each entrance location. </FONT></div> <div> Sky Trail just came  out of the blue.  Pictures of it just appeared. It is a personal transit system for metropolitan areas and any type of terrain. Attached are sketches and a discussion of how it works and can be designed. It is an elegant solution to an age old problem, how to make a rapid transit system that can move lots of people to where ever they want to go, not just where the train normally stops. Oh, by the way, for you naysayers, it will work, and it is affordable, provided you have the right designers, If you think it will not work, just prove it.</div> <div> No doubts about it!</div> <bR> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" height=388 width="100%" BGCOLOR="#111111" TEXT="#F7F7FF"> <div> <I>Sky Trail</I></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> Any questions received will be answered at the bottom of this page.</div> <div> <B>Cover Page</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="1c6fed5e0.jpg" border=0 width="493" height="606" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>Page 1</B></div> <div> Sky Trail General Description</div> <bR> <div> The elevated Sky Trail combines an enclosed walkway with a unique transport system using electric powered jitney that can be used in any urban setting, regardless of topography or weather. It is a very simple system that combines proven structural steel design platforms with the conventional amusement park type cars. The shiny stainless outside surface and enclosed transport system not only add to the value of the neighborhood but provide an all weather elevated walkway and rapid transit system that is quiet. In addition to jitney, the Sky Trail provides an enclosed walking area approximately 20 feet wide to be used for emergency egress and could be used for walking, biking, rollerblading<B>, </B>and etc. This is a system which will require significant money to build, but due to it's simplicity, will not be subject to cost overruns and will provide centuries of low maintenance use and low operating cost and will eventually be the type of system that will have to be used if the human race is to exist in the future with less fossil fuels.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> In a nutshell the Sky Trail is a large diameter hollow pipe, called a limb approximately 50 to 60 feet in diameter supported every 500 feet by 20 feet diameter vertical hollow pipes supported at the base with concrete caissons, which are anchored into the earth, which are called trunks. Rails are attached to the inside surface of the limb that spiral along the inside of the pipe and support a jitney similar to amusement ride jitney except the passenger compartments rotate to keep them from rotating. The spirals allow multiple lines to be installed and allow the jitney to reverse direction every 500 feet when needed.</div> <bR> <div> Trunk and Limb Design (see attached sketch)</div> <bR> <div> The outside skin of both trunks and limbs is made of curved stainless steel sheets, which are welded together and supported on the inside with a skeleton of curved steel, bolted and welded together. The height of the trail will depend on the local topography and neighborhoods below but is envisioned to be about 50 feet. Stainless steel, although more expensive, will reduce the overall long-term maintenance cost and also the keep and nice shiny clean appearance in the local neighborhood. This is very important. The people where this travels have to like it and want it in their neighborhood, not something they are forced to accept.</div> <bR> <div> Inside each of the vertical support pipes or trunks is an elevator and a spiral walkway for pedestrian access and emergency egress. The spacing of about 500 feet will provide convenient access to the neighborhoods below, yet reduce the number of vertical supports so the system can be installed in already existing urban areas with minimal affect on the neighborhood. Conceptual scoping calculations were done and 500 feet is about the longest span that can be used for a trail of 50 to 60 feet in diameter. Longer spans than 500 feet are possible, however, the diameter of the trail will have to be increased considerably or other types of structural support needed.</div> <bR> <div> The twenty feet diameter trunk will provide adequate bending support for the trail for wind loading and enough room for an internal spiral walk way and elevator. No analysis was done for seismic loads, however, the steel design can be modified easily to allow for load changes.</div> <bR> <div> Inside the Sky Trail would be a second smaller hollow pipe, which would separate the pedestrians from the jitney. For instance, if the trail outer diameter was 52 feet, the inner walk way would be 22 feet in diameter. The jitney would operate in the annulus or space between the two pipes and the pedestrians and kiosks would be located on a floor in the inner pipe just below its center and would be about 20</div> <bR> <div> Jitney Design (see attached sketch)</div> <bR> <div> The jitney used to transport the people are approximately 10 feet in diameter and about 20 feet long, enough room for about 20 people and 2 wheel chairs. This number was selected to keep the jitney relatively short in order to make tighter turns yet long enough to provide a relatively smooth ride. The jitneys ride on two aluminum rails, which are made of six-inch pipe welded to an aluminum tee section, which is then bent and bolted to the steel skeleton. Each jitney has four contact points to the aluminum rail, and each contact point has six 6-inch diameter polyurethane wheels, evenly spaced including the support tee section. The wheels provide continuous support around the entire surface of the pipe so the load can rotate. This is similar to the design used for amusement park sides so the jitney can be rotated upside down and still be supported. This allows the base of the jitney to follow the rails as they spiral through the inside of the pipe and allow the base of the jitney to rotate. Of course this is not an amusement ride, so instead of strapping the riders into the seats and turning them upside down, the passenger section of the jitney is mounted in large bearings so it stays horizontal while the base rotates. The center of gravity of the passenger section will tend to keep the jitney horizontal, however, a small amount of force, provided by electronic monitoring, will be required to act as ballast, to even out the passenger jitney when the load inside is unbalanced.</div> <bR> <div> Each of the rectangular bases of the jitney will house the batteries or energy storage system which will be used to drive the liner induction motors located at two opposing sides. The liner induction motors will use the aluminum tee section stem as the stator of the liner induction motor, which will be used for dynamic acceleration and braking. An additional mechanical safety brake will be needed. If batteries are used, they will be recharged at each stop while discharging and picking up passengers and overnight when generally not in use.</div> <bR> <div> Each of the jitney will not only have a side entrance door for normal access, but also a door at both ends than can be used in an emergency so people can move from the broken down jitney to one who has come to their rescue and is at either end.</div> <bR> <div> The jitney will have a special pintle hook, with a round ball end to allow oscillating motion, at each end so they can be connected together to operate as a train or to be used to transport a disabled jitney using a jitney which stops by. These and release of the emergency brake will also have to operated by the other jitney in the even the jitney being towed has been disabled and has no power or local control.</div> <bR> <div> Jitney Support Rails and Switches</div> <bR> <div> Each jitney is supported by the two aluminum pipe rail sections mounted about six feet apart. The rails are fastened to the steel skeleton. The rails are bent to form spirals on the inside of the large sky trail pipe so the jitney can go completely around the inside of the pipe. Again, while the base of the jitney rotates, the passenger section remains vertical at all times, the large bearings mounting it to the base allowing it to rotate. This spiral rotation allows the jitney to change direction between in less than 500 feet of the distance between the trunks so the jitney can be routed depending on the load. In order to do this the jitney will have to cross other tracks. This can be done by allowing the aluminum pipe rail sections to be unlocked, bent slightly and relocked into place, similar to what is done in trains today, except the entire pipe section has to move. This means that a jitney traveling in one direction, can spiral to the other side of the trail pipe, past a junction, and reverse direction to go where it just came from. Of course the occupants would be facing backwards unless the seats backs can be flopped.</div> <bR> <div> The force needed to bend the pipe rail sections to switchthe jitneys would be applied <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFCC33" FACE="Times" >using </FONT>air pressure and pneumatic cylinders. Inside ot each of the pipe rail section where it separates would be a stainless pin, which would also be forced in and out using a pneumatic cylinder to lock each of the pipe rail sections together before the jitney, passes by.</div> <bR> <div> Powers Supply</div> <bR> <div> Each of the jitneys would have its own supply of power, via batteries or other energy storage methods, so a central power failure has insignificant. Each of the switch stations would not only use small independent air compressors so again, a central air compressor failure would have insignificant failure. All of the jitneys would have their own vehicle and switch detections system in addition to a central system. All of the data collection computer systems and probes would be relatively inexpensive but would be four deep so in the event of one system or instrument, you would still have three to use for operation until the fourth one is repaired. If the third system fails before the fourth system is repaired, the jitney would transfer to a slow safe mode and notify central control for additional monitoring until the jitney reaches a safe zone.</div> <bR> <div> Rail Inspection and Repair</div> <bR> <div> Each of the cars would be able to monitor inspection of the system including tracks and switches as they travel. A dedicated inspection car with serious inspection equipment would daily check not only the operation of the switches but also the track using high precision laser dimensioning for wear and non destructive inspection such as ultrasonic and eddy current for rail crack detection. </div> <bR> <div> Minor rail repair to remove wear spots or uneven surfaces would be done by an automated jitney, which would essentially pass along the rail with special grinding wheels to dress the surface as needed. For areas lacking material, the pipe could be squeezed between contact points to make the pipe rail bulge at the contact points and the metal machined as necessary. Since the entire pipe rail turns are uniform, replacement rails inventory would be minimized.</div> <bR> <div> Fans Assisted Propulsion</div> <bR> <div> For longer runs or higher speeds, blowers could be stationed every so often to force an airflow in each direction to reduce the energy losses on the jitney so the on board storage energy will last longer. The blowers can be operated by separate electrical sources or other means such as steam turbines powered by other sources of energy, such as perhaps methane gas produced by local sewage treatment plants. (Aside, instead of flushing all that sewage down the drain, perhaps we could convert most of it to energy and use the remaining waste as fertilizer for agriculture. For more info on using human waste for agriculture contact read the Humanure handbook.)</div> <bR> <div> Scenic Jitneys</div> <bR> <div> An additional set of rails and jitneys could be counted on the outside of the Sky Trail for those interested in a scenic ride. Access to the jitney would be at the trunks. In the event a jitney malfunctions removing passengers would be a concern with this idea due to the height, however, another jitney can be dispatched to either push the disabled jitney to a regular stop or unload the passengers through the doors in each end. Although identified as an addition to the inside car system, a system using outside cars only is also an option if desired.</div> <bR> <div> Cargo</div> <bR> <div> Cargo jitneys could also be included is desired. The freight would be containerized to fit in  modified jitneys and scheduled delivery around busy times. Night time would be a good time for most cargo delivery.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> The End</div> <bR> <div> <B>SketchA</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="1c700b370.jpg" border=0 width="779" height="567" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>Sketch B</B></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="1c71049d0.jpg" border=0 width="516" height="669" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> Question</div> <div> I was just looking at your transit system. It is elegant! There are a lot of elements I really like.</div> <div> I don't mean to criticize your system but there are a lot of issues you need address. Having been through the design and development myself, I thought I would help you along by asking a few questions.</div> <div>  Energy efficiency: How much energy does it take to move a car one mile?  Compare this energy to an average automobile moving down the road. </div> <div> ANSWER</div> <div> I DON'T KNOW, BUT DON'T THINK IT WILL THAT MUCH DIFFERENT PER PASSENGER AND DON'T THINK IT IS THAT IMPORTANT FOR THE CONCEPTUAL DESIGN</div> <div> Question</div> <div> Is your system passenger oriented or mass transit (cattle car) oriented. How does it network? Is your competing technology the subway or the taxi cab? Where does your system fit into the average city? What is your market nitch? </div> <div> ANSWER</div> <div> WITH THE INCLUDED TRAIL IT HAS NO COMPETITION  </div> <div> Question<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#00FF00" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> I am a little concerned with the size of your systems' sky print. It has been a big issue for our system, and our guide-way is 6” tall and 3' wide. Your system is over 20' in diameter; It will have a tremendous sky print (i.e. it will block out the sky over the average roadway). If your target market is suburban, I think you will have to address the sky print issue of putting your guideway over a roadway in an average neighborhood.</div> <div> ANSWER</div> <div> BIG IS NOT THE PROBLEM, BIG AND UGLY IS. A LARGE SHINY STAINLESS STEEL ELEVATED TRANSIT AND INDOOR TRAIL WOULD SEEM TO BE DESIRABLE. INSTEAD OF A BORING TRANSIT RIDE WOULDN'T IT BE NICE TO HAVE ONE THAT PEOPLE WANT TO RIDE AND SHOW OFF? I WOULD</div> <div> Question</div> <div> I think you may be on to something in terms of a station and line switching. You might rethink your system in terms of Personal Rapid Transit and look at designing your system with 2-6 passenger cars.  The next time you are driving down the road or highway note the average passengers per car; my bet is that the average number you come up with is between 1 and 2. This should say something about how people like to travel (direct to destination and individually). But I will get off my soap box.</div> <div> ANSWER</div> <div> THE HEART OF THIS AS YOU HAVE DISCERNED IS THE SWITCHING. IT LETS YOU SEND CARS TO A DESTINATION AND LET THEM RETURN WITHOUT HAVING TO TRAVEL THE ENTIRE LENGTH.</div> <div> Question</div> <div> You have a very unique PRT approach. What are the construction and</div> <div> operational costs? One of the items we keep get poked on is the visual</div> <div> impact of an elevate PRT guide way. I do not know if guide way elevation is</div> <div> a PRT requirement, but it strongly supports an efficient mode of operation.</div> <div> Your approach sounds interesting. Keep me informed on your progress. I will</div> <div> have the other members of CPRT check out your web site</div> <div> (sky trail). Thanks.</div> <div> ANSWER </div> <div> THANKS FOR THE RESPONSE. I HAVEN'T DONE A CONSTRUCTION OR OPERATIONAL COST ESTIMATE FOR THE CONCEPTUAL DESIGN, SO I DON'T HAVE ANY NUMBERS FOR YOU. BEFORE A SOLID CONSTRUCTION COST ESTIMATE CAN BE DONE, A PRELIMINARY DESIGN WOULD NEED TO BE COMPLETED, NOT A SMALL TASK, HOWEVER, MY GUT FEEL IS THAT IT IS AFFORDABLE. AS YOU ARE AWARE THE DEVIL IS IN THE DETAILS.</div> <bR> <div> THE OPERATIONAL COST WILL BE DETERMINED HOW AUTOMATED IT IS WHICH IS  SOMETIMES BASED ON POLITICS.</div> <bR> <div> YOU ARE RIGHT, THIS HAS VISUAL IMPACT, BUT I THINK IT IS POSITIVE. INSTEAD OF TRYING TO HIDE IT AND BURY IT LIKE A LOT OF SUBWAYS, I THINK A LARGE STAINLESS STEEL ELEVATED TRANSIT AND TRAIL SYSTEM LIKE THIS WOULD BE A PLUS. THE CONSTRUCTION COSTS WOULD BE MORE PREDICTABLE THAN AN UNDERGROUND SUBWAY IN AN URBAN ENVIRONMENT WITH ALL OF THE KNOWN (AND UNKNOWN) UNDERGROUND UTILITIES AND OBSTRUCTIONS.</div> <bR> <div> I'LL LET YOU KNOW HOW IT GOES.</div> <div> Question</div> <div> What about Noise? It seems like this will be very noisy.</div> <div> ANSWER </div> <div> ONES PERSONS NOISE IS ANOTHER PERSONS' MUSIC.  AGREED THAT IT WILL GENERATE  NOISE, HOWEVER, AS LONG AS THIS IS ADDRESSED IN THE DESIGN I THINK IT CAN BE DELT WITH REASONABLY. FIRST, A CONSTANT LOW BACKGROUND NOISE IS NOT OBJECTABLE, BUT A  CLOSE LOUD NOISE IS.  FOR INSTANCE, A TRAIN NEXT DOOR IN DESCONCERTING, HOWEVER, A TRAIN IN THE DISTANCE CREATES A SOUND WHICH CAN PUT PEOPLE TO SLEEP. SO NOT ONLY SHOULD THE DESIGN FOCUS ON REDUCING NOISE, BUT ALSO PROVIDING A BACKGROUND  SOUND THAT IS PLEASANT AND HELPS MASK LOUD SOUNDS.</div> <div> Question</div> <div> How steep can it be? </div> <div> ANSWER</div> <div> SINCE THE CARS ARE INDUCTION POWERED, THE CAR ANGLE CAN BE STEEP, HOWEVER, THE WALKWAY INSIDE THE TRAIL HAS TO MAINTAIN A SLOPE WHICH IS ACCEPTABLE TO THOSE USING IT. FOR INSTANCE BIKES AND WHEELCHAIRS ARE LIMITED TO A CERTAIN SLOPE IF THEY ARE EXPECTED TO ALSO USE IT.</div> </td> </tr></table></body>