Roadway for decelerating a vehicle including a delayed release means for depressed runway panels

摘要

A method for slowing a vehicle traveling over a movable surface in a direction of travel is provided where the vehicle has a first wheel and at least a second wheel offset from the first wheel in a direction opposite to the direction of travel. The method includes: deploying the movable surface to an open position; moving the movable surface to a closed position due to the weight exerted on the movable surface by a first wheel of the vehicle as it travels over the movable surface; locking the movable surface in the closed position to convert at least a portion of a kinetic energy of the vehicle into potential energy to slow the vehicle; and redeploying the movable surface to the open position such that at least the moving can be repeated due to the weight exerted on the movable surface by a second wheel of the vehicle.