RAPID TRANSIT SYSTEM

摘要

TITLE RAPID TRANSIT SYSTEM An enclosed roadway supported by a superstructure forms an endless transit loop on which vehicles are propelled for the mass transportation of passengers between selected stations in the transit loop. A stabilizing system maintains the vehicles on the roadway and includes a stabilizing track having recessed portions that are supported above and at opposite sides of the roadway. A circumferential bumper surrounds each vehicle and is positioned within the recessed portions of the stabilizing track. Braking apparatus mounted on the bumper are operable to frictionally engage the recessed portions of the stabilizing track to slow and stop the vehicle on the roadway. Traction motors mounted on the front and rearward end portions of each vehicle include drive shafts that support driven wheels on the upper surface of the stabilizing track for propelling the vehicle along the roadway. A guidance system controls movement of the vehicles on the roadway and includes a pair of spaced parallel guide rails positioned on the roadway and a guideway positioned in parallel relation between the guide rails on the roadway. Guide plates extend downwardly from the body portion of each vehicle into a recessed portion of the guideway to maintain guide wheels of each vehicle in contact with the guide rails. An additional feature includes a plurality of endless transit loops that radiate outwardly from a main terminal to provide transportation by the vehicles in a plurality of directions to and from the main terminal.