GB2453790A

GB2453790A - Trackway for personal rapid transport systems

Info

Publication number: GB2453790A
Application number: GB0720558A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Martin V Lowson
Original assignee: Advanced Transport Systems Ltd
Current assignee: Advanced Transport Systems Ltd
Priority date: 2007-10-19
Filing date: 2007-10-19
Publication date: 2009-04-22
Anticipated expiration: 2027-10-19
Also published as: KR20100131415A; CA2702311A1; EP2203594A1; GB0720558D0; JP2011501001A; GB2453790B; WO2009050491A1; EP2203594B1; US20110042474A1

Abstract

A trackway for a personal rapid transport system which comprises track members 111, 113 formed of preformed grid-like structures. The preformed grid-like structures may be formed of fibre reinforced plastic or the like.

Description

TRACKWAY FOR PERSONAL RAPID TRANSPORT SYSTEMS

The present invention relates to a trackway for a personal rapid transport system.

With ever increasing traffic volumes and increased vehicle performance increasing the speed at which vehicles travel, there is a continuing need to improve the running surfaces over which these vehicles travel. Many aspects have been considered for such improvements, for example improved friction between the running surface and the wheels of the vehicles, improved drainage to reduce the effect of water, snow and ice collected on the running surface and noise reduction etc. Many solutions have been proposed to solve these problems which, invariably, are expensive and cumbersome to install and maintain.

Much has been invested in improving the running surfaces of the trackways for personal rapid transport systems. In general, a personal rapid transport (PRT) system comprises a dedicated trackway on which individual vehicles travel between stations.

Each vehicle contains only one passenger or group of passengers, and the vehicle travels continuously between the starting point and the destination without stopping at any intermediate stations. PRT systems thus provide a compromise between a conventional mass transport system such as buses, trains and metro systems, and individual passenger cars.

Typical PRT systems use a rail system to provide guidance for the vehicles. This may be a monorail or dual rail, and points similar to standard railway points are used to direct the vehicles at junctions. An example of such a system is disclosed in US 5,778,796.

An example of an alternative PRT system is disclosed in US 4,061,089. In this system each vehicle is supported by air bearings in such a way that an air gap is maintained between the vehicle and the trackway. Vehicle propulsion is provided by a linear synchronous motor, the primary circuit of which is embedded in the trackway to activate a pair of linear induction motors located on the vehicle.

A further known PRT system is disclosed in UK Patent No. 2384223. In this system a trackway is provided in preformed sections. The running surface of the trackway is formed of reinforced concrete. However, it is found that it would be desirable to reduce noise as vehicles run over concrete running surfaces, particularly when the surface is wet; to improve friction and reduce ice and snow collecting on the running surface, restricting operation of the system during such weather conditions.

The present invention seeks to provide a simple solution of running surface which has improved friction with the vehicle tyres whilst minimising wear, which is quieter when vehicles travel over the surface and which is snow and ice resistant.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a trackway for a personal rapid transport system, the trackway comprising at least one running surface, each of the at least one running surface comprising a preformed, flexible grid-like structure supported at a height above ground.

The flexibility of the grid-like structure enables it to conform to the movement of the vehicle and enabling snow and ice to more easily shed from the surface. Further as the grid-like structure is supported at a height above ground. Any water, snow and ice can fall off the running surface without the need for additional drainage. The grid-like structure may comprise a plurality of intersecting grid members on the surface thereof in the form of separate intersecting members or in the form of grooves and ridges to improve friction of the surface by up to approximately 30% whilst minimising wear of vehicle tyres. The grid members may intersect at an angle to the line of travel of a vehicle travelling over the at least one running surface. This greatly reduces the noise of travel of the vehicle over the running surface. The plurality of intersecting grid members may form a plurality of holes through the grid-like structure which may have a pitch within the range of 20-60mm, and the pitch may vary along the length of the at least one running surface. The pitch size enables easy manufacture and more snow and ice can easily fall off the surface through the holes. Variation in the pitch further reduce noise and varies any noise, making it less of a nuisance. The holes also provide a structure which allows light to pass through making the structure more environmentally attractive.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a trackway for a personal rapid transport system, the trackway comprising at least one running surface, the at least one running surface comprising a grid-like structure, the grid-like structure comprising a plurality of intersecting grid members on the surface thereof, wherein the grid members intersect at an angle to the line of travel of a vehicle travelling over the at least one running surface.

In a further embodiment the grid-like structures comprise a plurality of preformed sections longitudinally interconnected to form a continuous running surface which may be interconnected at an oblique angle. This oblique angle may be varied randomly between successive sections. This allows the tyre loading to be transferred easily and progressively between two sections. It prevents the tyres hitting the down stream section with impact, thus preventing damage to the running surface, further reducing noise and tyre wear.

The grid-like structure of the running surface provides a strong structure and consequently may be simply formed of fibre reinforced plastic or the like. Thus making the structure easy to manufacture, less expensive and flexible Preferably, the track members have substantially flat upper surfaces acting as running surfaces which may comprise a top surface coating of an anti-skid material to further improve friction between the tyres of the vehicles and the surface.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided a trackway for a personal rapid transport system, the trackway comprising a plurality of longitudinally adjoining trackway sections, each section comprising a pair of elongate, parallel track members the track members providing running surfaces of the trackway and a plurality of cross-members, the cross-members supporting the track members, and comprising preformed grid-like structures.

The grid-like structures provide increased friction with the vehicle tyres whilst minimising wear. In snow and ice conditions, the snow and ice has poor adhesion to the running surface and the snow and ice shed from the grid surface. Further the grid-like running surface is quieter when vehicles run over its surface ever, when the surface is wet.

In an embodiment in accordance with the present invention each section of the trackway comprises a pair of parallel side beams interconnected by said cross members, said track members extending parallel to the side beams. The load on the track members is transferred to the edges of the track members and into the side beams.

In an embodiment, the cross members are connected to the side beams at the lower regions of the side beams, whereby the side beams form side walls which extend upwardly from the cross members. Preferably, the side beams extend above the running surfaces.

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is now made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of part of a trackway section according to an embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 2 is a cross section view taken along the axis A-A of the trackway of Figure 1.

The trackway according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to Figures 1 and 2. The trackway comprises a series of trackway sections 100 which are laid end-to-end to form a continuous trackway for passage of vehicles. Each section 100 comprises a plurality of spaced-apart parallel identical cross members 101, each comprising a hollow, thin walled rectangular cross section beam with rounded corners, extending laterally across the width of the trackway. The cross members 101 extend between a pair of side beams 103, 105.

The side beams 103, 105 are identical thin walled rectangular cross-section members which extend along the sides of the trackway section 100. The vertically extending innermost side wall 107, 109 of each side beam 103, 105 is welded to the cross members 101 at the base of the side wall 103, 105. Accordingly, the side beams 103, each extend vertically above the cross members 101. In the embodiment shown, the vertical dimensions of the cross members 101 and the side beams 103, 105 are mm and 450 mm respectively. The cross numbers 101 are located at equidistant intervals of approximately 2m along the length of the trackway.

First and second elongate track members 111, 113 are secured to the upper surfaces of a first pair of elongate support members 115, 117 and a second pair of elongate support members 119, 121, respectively. The support members 115, 117, 119,121 extend along the length of the track member 111, 113 toward the outer, longitudinal edges, parallel to the outer, longitudinal edges. The support members are identical thin walled rectangular cross section beams. The support members 115, 117, 119, 121 are welded to the upper surfaces of the cross members 101 perpendicular to the cross members 101. The track members 111,113 are secured to the support members 115, 117, 119, 121 either by edge clamping or retaining bolts (not shown).

In between the track members may, conveniently, locate a cable tray 123 and lid 125 for housing the cabling for the trackway. The cable tray and lid 123, 125 extend along the length of the trackway parallel to the facing longitudinal edges of the first and second track members 111, 113. The cable tray 123 sits between a pair of supports 127, 129. The cable tray supports 127, 129 are welded to the upper surface of the cross members 101.

The upper surfaces of the first and second track members 111, 113 are substantially flat and provide first and second running surfaces 131, 133 respectively.

Although the embodiment is described with reference to a pair of running surfaces, it can be appreciated that the running surface may comprise a single track member which is the width of the vehicle.

The trackway section 100 may be supported in an elevated position as disclosed, for example, in UK Patent No. 2384223.

The first and second track members 111, 113 comprise preformed grid-like structures.

Preferably the grid is formed of fibre reinforced plastic or the like. Alternatively the grid may be formed of any other suitable material. The material is moulded in an open mould using a fibre deposition head that feeds continuous fibre rovings that are passed through a pre-wetting bath of resin. The top surface of the track members is coated with an anti-skid material which may comprise a variety of materials, for example, shot-blast grit, silica sand or calcinated bauxite embedded in a resin.

The grid-like members are secured to their respective support members 115, 117, 119, 121 in longitudinally adjoining sections, each section is approximately 6m in length.

The sections of the first and second track members 111, 113 is secured to successive sections at an oblique angle. The sections may be bonded together with a suitable adhesive or, alternatively clamped at the underside surface of the track members by a C-clamp with a captive nut (not shown). The oblique angle between successive sections may be randomly variable to the extent that ends of the sections are interconnected having the same oblique angle such that the ends of the sections meet to form a continuous surface. The track members are then bonded to the supporting structure for additional stability. Each track member 111, 113 comprises a framed section of a plurality intersecting grid members. The grid members intersect each other at 900 and extend from the frame at an oblique angle such that the grid members form a plurality of square holes which may have a pitch in the range of 20-60mm, preferably 38mm. The square holes are at an oblique angle to the direction of travel of the vehicle. The oblique angles may be randomly variable between the sections of track members. Alternatively, the grid-like structures may be formed of intersecting ridges or grooves in the running surface.

In operation, a vehicle is guided over the running surfaces 131, 133 of the trackway such that tyres on each side of the vehicle run over the running surfaces of the first and second track members 111, 113, respectively. The tyres are centred on the running surfaces 131, 133 of the first and second track members 111, 113. The grid-like structures of the running surfaces provide increased friction between the tyres and running surface whilst minimising wear to the tyres, preventing slipping or skidding of the vehicles even in wet conditions whilst reducing noise. Friction is further improved by a coating on the running surface of an anti-skid material.

The support members 115, 117, 119, 121 elevate the grid structures of the first and second track members 111, 113 such that ice and snow will not collect on the running surface such that the running surface is kept clear. Consequently, the PRT system can still operate in such weather conditions.

Although a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the foregoing description, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiment disclosed but is capable of numerous modifications without departing from the scope of the invention set Out in the following claims.

Claims

1. A trackway for a personal rapid transport system, the trackway comprising at least one running surface, each of said at least one running surface comprising a preformed, flexible grid-like structure supported at a height above ground.

2. A trackway according to claim 1, wherein said grid-like structure comprises a plurality of intersecting grid members on the surface thereof.

3. A trackway according to claim 2, wherein said grid members intersect at an angle to the Jine of travel of a vehicle travelling over said at least one running surface.

4. A trackway according to claim 2 or 3, wherein said plurality of intersecting grid members form a plurality of holes through said grid-like structure.

5. A trackway according to claim 4, wherein the pitch of said holes is within the range of 20-60mm.

6. A trackway according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the pitch of said holes varies along the length of said at least one running surface.

7. A trackway for a personal rapid transport system, the trackway comprising at least one running surface, said at least one running surface comprising a grid-like structure, said grid-like structure comprising a plurality of intersecting grid members on the surface thereof, wherein said grid members intersect at an angle to the line of travel of a vehicle travelling over said at least one running surface.

8. A trackway according to claim 7, wherein said grid-like structure is flexible.

9. A trackway according to claim 7 or 8, wherein said grid-like structure is supported at a height above ground.

I

10. A trackway according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one grid-like structure comprises a plurality of preformed sections longitudinally interconnected to form a continuous running surface.

11. A trackway according to claim 10, wherein said sections of said grid-like structure are interconnected at an oblique angle.

12. A trackway according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said grid-like structure is formed of fibre reinforced plastic or the like.

13. A trackway according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one running surface has a top surface coating of an anti-skid material.

14. A trackway for a personal rapid transport system, the trackway comprising a plurality of longitudinally adjoining trackway sections, each section comprising a pair of elongate, parallel track members and a plurality of cross members, said cross members supporting said track members, said track members providing running surfaces of the trackway, and comprising preformed grid-like structures.

15. A trackway according to claim 14, wherein each section further comprises a pair of parallel side beams interconnected by said cross members, said track members extending parallel to said side beams.

16. A trackway according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the track members have substantially flat upper surfaces acting as running surfaces.

17. A trackway according to any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein said track members are elevated above the top surface of said cross members.

18. A trackway substantially as herein before described with reference to any one of the accompanying drawings.

19. A personal rapid transport system comprising a trackway as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.