[sustran] Coherent transport systems - EcoTrack

[Gerry Hawkes]

Dear Obwon:

Thanks for the very helpful information on file formats for web
site photos.

 Below I have inserted responses after your questions and
comments regarding the EcoTrack system.

- Gerry Hawkes
   Bike Track, Inc.
   www.biketrack.com

-----Original Message-----
From: Obwon <ob110ob at IDT.NET>
To: sustran-discuss at jca.ax.apc.org
<sustran-discuss at jca.ax.apc.org>
Date: Saturday, April 04, 1998 4:35 AM
Subject: Re: [sustran] Coherent transport systems


>Gerry Hawkes wrote:
>>
>> Dear Tore & Sustran Colleagues,
>>
>> In response to your request for information you might like to
go
>> to http://www.biketrack.com/visions.htm for a vision of the
>> transportation system we are working toward.
>>
>
>  Gerry?  I've just viewed the website [mostly text] Please keep
us
>posted as to when pictures become available
>  I would enjoy seeing 'deployment' art work/renderings which
can give a
>better view of what is envisioned as the end result and 'assist
relief'
>box drawings which help understand/explain details.

RESPONSE:  You can get an idea of the EcoTrack surface pattern
that will be used on the modular EcoTrack bicycle and pedestrian
path system by going to http://www.biketrack.com/antislip.htm and
looking at the photos of the tile surfaces there.  By late May or
early June this surface will be available in 2' x 4' structural
plastic panels.  We will get photos of these panels onto the web
site shortly thereafter.  While the panels will be used for
docks, wheelchair ramps, and gangways, they will also have
application for bicycle pedestrian bridges and the construction
of bicycle pedestrian paths.

We also have a patent pending on a modular truss system for
easily and inexpensively constructing strong, but lightweight
bicycle/pedestrian bridges, gangways and wheelchair access ramps.
The truss system is designed to be assembled in two foot
increments to any desired lengths with the structural 2'x4'
panels forming the travel surface.  The first truss systems will
also come off the production line in late May or early June.
Again we will get photos up on our web site shortly thereafter.

We have thought some of posting photos of prototype panels and
truss systems and/or our engineering drawings, but feel it is
best to wait to post photos of the final production versions
along with final specifications.


>Since I ride both
>long and short trips around the city (NY) in all weather
conditions, I'd
>like to visualize the provision of a system that will work to
deflect
>the harsher elements of such trips.
>  Yet, it's hard to imagine that they wouldn't provide 'clutter'
of
>senic views which would become a nusiance when they aren't
needed, even
>if a blessing when they are.  To be sure, covered trails is more
>efficient than carrying a shelter around with you [bike shells
etc].

RESPONSE:  You raise a good point.  There will certainly be
locations where you do not want the viewscape cluttered with
covered bikeways, but in many cases covered  bikeways will be
less obtrusive than a busy highway bordered by buildings, signs,
guardrails and several lanes of traffic.  I envision a covered
bikeway in which the sides roll up during good weather allowing
the users to easily view their surroundings as well as minimizing
the visual barrier.  As we evolve the system, it may be possible
to economically employ highly transparent plastics in the canopy
and sides.

>
>  And unless you're planning to allow/accomodate 'heavy' hpv's
such as
>loaded carryalls, workbikes and pedicabs/pedicars and the like,
then
>smaller hills shouldn't be a problem that requires motorized
assists.
>That should save on motors, power and expense. But that comes
after
>terms - 'small/big  hill' - is defined. <g>

RESPONSE:  Our  2'x4' travel surface panels are designed accepted
"heavy" hpv's as will our final EcoTrack system.  I was thinking
of the electric motor assist as a way to encourage older people
and the non-physically fit to ride bikes without being
intimidated by hills.  Anyway it will be awhile before we achieve
the ability to provide electric assist.  First we will produce a
much improved riding surface then provide weather protection for
that surface where appropriate.
>
> Oh yes!  Before I forget, for anyone who might be interested.
This week
>in New York City local news much attention was drawn to a
storekeeper
>who was given a $1,000 dollar fine by the Parks Dept. for
chaining his
>bike to a tree on the street in front of his shop.  The Parks
>Commissioner, after the story made news, offered to cancel the
ticket if
>the storekeeper would hug and say a few nice words to the tree.
He did
>and so the story made the papers again.
>
>  But, anyone who bikes in NYC knows that there's a real
shortage of
>bike racks.  Most lamp posts and street signs are often taken up
by the
>bikes of the businesses on the streets.  On the side streets,
which are
>residential/commercial mix, the residents often 'store' their
bikes on
>the few sign posts and lamp posts so visitors coming into the
area have
>little choice of where to lock up for their stay.  Iron property
gates
>and fences usually draw someone's ire if used, so we must try to
avoid
>that as much as possible.
>
>  Although, I believe, the previous adm. loosened the rules
regarding
>stores, businesses, pvt. cits., liablity if and when they
provide bike
>racks for public use, very few [ but growing numbers] of places
provide
>them. Schools and colleges are coming on board, and a few
busineses
>too.  But across the board it seems they are unable to find very
>efficient racks to provide.


RESPONSE:  You might want to look at
http://www.biketrack.com/protect.htm .  These bike parking module
configurations are designed to protect trees while providing
parking and security for up to 8 bikes per tree.  If you want to
keep bikes parallel between a curb and sidewalk, you just use 4
modules instead of 8.