DEVELOPMENT AND TESTING OF A COMPLETELY PASSIVE, AIR SUSPENDED, AIR PROPELLED PERSONAL RAPID TRANSIT VEHICLE

A prototype Uniflo vehicle base with mock-up superstructure was tested on 55 ft. of full-scale track. Sound treatment to meet NCA 60 at 25 ft. from the guideway enclosure and within the vehicle was proposed and the costs determined. A heating and cooling system using passive vehicle heat sink elements with station berth recharging was found desirable because of its lower cost and reliability. An evaluation of the estimated production quantity costs for the vehicle base, guideway surface, levitation and thrust elements showed a reduction of 49% compared to previous design estimates. Extensive tests confirmed the feasibility of the track based linear air turbine used for acceleration and service braking in the Uniflo PRT system. Ride quality measurements indicated a need for improved secondary suspension. Empty vehicle speeds over 20 ft./sec. and accelerations exceeding 5 ft./seconds squared were achieved with an air flow of 72.0 cubic feet/sec. Vehicle starting drag was less than 5 lbs. force. (Author)

• Corporate Authors:

  Uniflo Systems Company

  Minneapolis, MN  United States 
• Authors:
  • Smoot, C H
• Publication Date: 1973-4

Media Info

• Pagination: 95 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Acoustic measuring instruments; Acoustics; Air conditioning systems; Air cushion vehicles; Cost estimating; Estimates; Guideways; Heating (Structures); Intelligent transportation systems; Performance tests; Personal rapid transit; Rapid transit; Suspension systems; Tracked air cushion vehicles; Turbines; Ventilation systems
• Identifier Terms: U.S. Urban Mass Transportation Administration
• Uncontrolled Terms: Experimental design
• Old TRIS Terms: Acoustic measurement; Advanced systems; Levitation; Rapid transit railways; Space heating
• Subject Areas: Operations and Traffic Management; Public Transportation; Railroads; Terminals and Facilities; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00047273
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: Final Rpt
• Contract Numbers: DOT-TSC-367
• Files: NTIS, TRIS
• Created Date: Sep 27 1981 12:00AM