GRAVITY ASSISTED MASS TRANSIT

In fixed guideway transit with established station stops, the propulsion energy can be reduced by grading the guideway downward on leaving the station (using gravity to assist in the acceleration) and grading upward on arrival at the next station (again using gravity, but this time to assist in the braking). A computerized conceptual cost model has been developed incorporating parameters relating to required elevated structures and required dynamical considerations. The increase in total cost required to construct a station stop at a given elevation above the guideway level between stops is calculated by the computer program to be compared with the resultant decrease in energy consumed in acceleration and deceleration. Because today's costs are extremely uncertain, unit costs are input by the user to determine the increased construction and operating costs and the resultant energy savings. The program outputs suggestions for structural design and associated cost data.

• Corporate Authors:

  Dayton University

  300 College Park Avenue
  Dayton, OH  United States  45409

  Urban Mass Transportation Administration

  400 7th Street, SW
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Kovacs, A Z
  • Shaw, G B
  • Weiss, R F
  • Nelson, JKJ
• Publication Date: 1975-6

Media Info

• Pagination: 120 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Analysis; Braking; Braking performance; Computer programs; Construction; Costs; Elevated guideways; Energy conservation; Gravitation; Gravity; Guideways; Intelligent transportation systems; Kinetic energy; Operating costs; Railroad stations; Slopes; Structural design; Urban transportation
• Uncontrolled Terms: Construction costs; Cost analysis; Cost models
• Old TRIS Terms: Advanced systems; Gravity augmentation; Guideway systems; Mechanical guides
• Subject Areas: Construction; Energy; Environment; Finance; Operations and Traffic Management; Railroads; Terminals and Facilities;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00136988
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: UDSE-TR-75-02, UMTA-OH-11-0002-75-1
• Files: NTIS, TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Aug 11 1976 12:00AM