[sustran] More on Walton, Cowherd, Hook, Cervero, Dinesh, Obwon.. becak, bajajs, ojek et al

[Obwon]

Christine Laurence wrote:
> 
> Obwan wrote:
> >
> >  I like elevated monorails because they cut CO2 emissions and provide
> >good entertaining views.  They also would allow us to release land
> >coverage (roadways) which have an auxilliary effect of dividing natural
> >animal habitats (and human habitats as well).  It's nice to have large
> >contiguous spaces/areas where we can roam as pedestrians.  Since HPV's
> >are relatively non polluting and because of their lower power and speed,
> >they can operate among pedestrians quite safely and without creating
> >expectation or perceptions of danger that interfere with the enjoyment
> >of locationg adjacent to carways.
> 
> >
> >  Obwon
> >
> 
> Elevated monorails?! How do we get up to them? What if I have a pram with
> me, or parcels, or am in a wheelchair? Do you plan to build lifts at every
> entry point?
> 
> It seems to me that elevated monorails are a piece of high tech nonsense.
> 
> What is wrong with simple light rail? They are on the ground - easy to get
> on, easy to get off, they can move lots of people easily. And because we
> know exaclty where they go, because of the rails, we can feel confident
> that they aren't going to suddenly lurch at us and bowl us over. And,
> unlike other forms of road based public transport I could mention, they
> don't belch out poisonous fumes or ear piercing noises.
> 
> You can share the road easily with light rail, so why go to all that extra
> expense?
> 
> Christine
-------------------------------------------

  A series of good questions, I'll try to explain.

----------------------------------------\                /------
                                         \ express      /
---------\                /---------------\------------/-------- 
          \              /
local      \------------/ 


  Now there!  Let's suppose that the local stations are at ground
level.  But as the local trains leave the station the rail rises.   Now
some where out and about, it needs to connect with express trains that
cover much greater distances between stops.  These Express trains would
decend and meet at the elevated local/express stations.  The locals
would then continue along and again decend at the next local station. 

  Next the express train would rise to yet another height to meet with
intercity trains which in turn would rise to meet regional ones.  Trains
already go up and down hills.  So why not plan the hills and make that
work for us?  These 'hills' would be small and they would be put there
with a purpose in mind.  Releasing the land that's under their right of
way.

  No need for escalators at all, the elevated stations could be
anywhere, inside/through  buildings perhaps where elevators and
escalators are already in place.  The grounds nearby the local stations
would be pleasant pedestrian malls and parks.  Sunken roadways or
tunnels would whisk feeder traffic in and out quickly with little impact
on quality of life in the area.  The almost noiseless monorails
themselves would be an entertaining sight to behold as they move around
above ground.  The views they could present would almost tempt one to
ride them.

   Since the trains rise and settle to meet the next level of service
there's no impediment to either people carrying packages or people in
wheelchairs or even on stretchers.  In fact, with a little adjustment,
made at the request of a central computer and based on the destinations
selected at key pads, whole trains could be simply switched from local
service tracks to express service tracks without the passengers even
needing to disembark at all. 

  During off peak times smaller self propelled units could be available
and moved to where requested by the same central computer.  Simply walk
to a station and tap the keypad, viola you're carrage is waiting on
track number 3, the yellow one numbered 11!  Each local station could
have several tracks (of course the switching means would have to be
worked out) so you aren't limited to merely an uptown or downtown track
or train.  
 The 'trains' are assembled from individual units going in the same
direction or to the same destination.  There's not even a need to wait
in the station at every stop the train needs to make, while other
passengers get on and off.  The train just uncouples the cars for that
stop, picks up the ones already loaded and continues on.  

  Yes! The technical problems abound.  But the basic idea seems to
provide ameliorations worth shooting for.

  Obwon