SkyTran - Low Cost Stations for Efficient Passenger Handling
Kubinski also figured out how to make lightweight station modules that could be mass produced for about $5,000 each. Using the track support poles for double duty as the primary structure for the station modules was the key. Maintaining a continuous flow of traffic required a pair of these modular units - an unloading module and a loading module placed about 100 feet apart. It enabled us to always have excess vehicles on hand in a dwell line and was a variant of Disneyland's old Pirates of the Caribbean ride. As one person was exiting at the back of the line another was boarding up front and immediately on his way. No waiting for one person to exit and get out of the way in order to make room for the next to board. The two events were happening simultaneously in two different places.
Fig. 6a. Low cost SkyTran unloading and loading stations (patents applied for) are located on an off-line track parallel to the 100 mph main track. The bottom of the station platform is 8 feet above the ground to minimize the pedestrian interference that would occur if boarding was at ground level. The SkyTran track drops down to this height to minimize how many stairs need to be climbed. Several two-passenger SkyTran vehicles would be waiting and ready at each station - you just walk up, get in and go. No more waiting for a scheduled bus or train and no more rushing to make their scheduled time. Once boarded, a SkyTran becomes your private vehicle. You decide exactly where you want the computer chauffeur to take you. No stopping at each station to let some people off and new people on. No more concerns about unsavory types riding along with you. Your SkyTran vehicle travels overhead on a monorail freeway, safely above all other traffic and only exits this freeway to slow down and stop at your selected destination station. (Artwork courtesy of Brad T. Bowman©1999)
Fig. 6b. Inside a SkyTran station. Here the vehicle is shown suspended from the hollow monorail track with its door open and ready for boarding. Convenient chair height ingress and egress requires that the bottom of the vehicle be 14 inches above the floor. Unlike the typical subway platform drop-off edge, SkyTran stations have a 13 inch tall platform that is a safety barrier marked with yellow and black warning stripes (patents applied for). (Artwork courtesy of Brad T. Bowman©1999)
