This is an old revision of this page, as edited by JzG (talk | contribs) at 07:11, 9 June 2006 (Removing speculation, hyperbole, making it clear that this DOES NOT EXIST. This is about the most we can realistically say about a system which has no objective reality.). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.
Revision as of 07:11, 9 June 2006 by JzG (talk | contribs) (Removing speculation, hyperbole, making it clear that this DOES NOT EXIST. This is about the most we can realistically say about a system which has no objective reality.)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)- For the use of "unimodal" in mathematics and statistics, see Unimodal function
UniModal or SkyTran is a hypothetical concept by Douglas Malewicki for a 160km/h (100mph) personal rapid transit (PRT) system that would use electric linear propulsion and a form of passive magnetic levitation called Inductrack. No protoype exists, and Malewicki has not as yet secured funding for any pilot project.
The Unimodal design calls for vehicles being suspended from an overhead track and aerodynamically streamlined. The proposed system would use speech recognition to interact with riders. Passive magnetic levetation is a new technology still in development, and UniModal is the first to propose using it in a PRT system.
The system is designed to have very few moving parts (for economic reasons), the main moving part being the vehicle itself. The promoters refer to the system as "solid state", however wheels are present for use during starting and stopping, the door moves, as well as any moving conveniences such as fans to air from heaters or air conditioning units.
Guideways would be mounted on poles about 30 feet above the ground and would be made of modular steel components, attached to cemented foundations. In the past, the company has estimated a possible $1 million per mile once in mass production.
The guideway is designed to accommodate a 3D grid design. It is called 3D because the guideway can be built under or over other things - especially other guideways. The main reason to have such a grid is to avoid intersections - guideways can cross over or under other parts of the guideway so that no stops are necessary - much like freeway overpasses allow the cars on the freeway to continue non-stop.
The magnetic levitation system would be the passive Inductrack system. Passive maglev requires no direct power to levitate vehicles, rather the lift is caused by the movement of the vehicle over the coiled wire in the track.