Title:
TRANSIT SYSTEM
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO2004018276
Kind Code:
A3
Abstract:
A point-to-point transit system for individual vehicles includes a guideway (12) with a transit lane and a transition lane. Disposed along the guideway (12) are selectively actuable portals (24), configured to allow substantially transverse ingress and egress of vehicles into the transition lane. The vehicles (28) are configured for automatic control within the guideway and during ingress and egress, and may also be configured for independent control by a driver outside the guideway. In the transition lane the vehicles accelerate to a transit speed and merge into the adjacent transit lane. Upon approaching a selected destination portal, an individual vehicle merges back into the transition lane to decelerate for exit. The guidance system allows the vehicles (28) to combine into controllably linked "trains" in the transit lane. The guideway may also include a plurality of selectively actuable rider access portals configured to allow ingress and egress of riders to autonomous vehicles in the guideway.
Inventors:
RICHARDS BRYAN (US)
Application Number:
PCT/US2003/026410
Publication Date:
November 11, 2004
Filing Date:
August 20, 2003
Export Citation:
Assignee:
RICHARDS BRYAN (US)
International Classes:
B61B15/00; B62D1/28; E01B2/00; E01B25/28; E01C1/00; (IPC1-7): B61B12/04
Foreign References:
| US3593262A | 1971-07-13 | |||
| US5760709A | 1998-06-02 | |||
| US5962833A | 1999-10-05 | |||
| US6658392B2 | 2003-12-02 | |||
| US5799263A | 1998-08-25 | |||
| US4069888A | 1978-01-24 | |||
| US5168451A | 1992-12-01 |
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