Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for monitoring a dedicated roadway the runs in parallel to a railroad. In some implementations, a system includes a central server, an interface, and sensors. The interface receives data from a railroad system that manages the railroad parallel to the dedicated roadway. The sensors are positioned in a fixed location relative to the dedicated roadway. Each sensor can detect vehicles in a first field of view on the dedicated roadway. For each detected vehicle, each sensor can generate sensor data based on the detected vehicle in the dedicated roadway and the data received at the interface. Each sensor can generate observational data and instruct the detected vehicle to switch to an enhanced processing mode. Each sensor can determine an action for the detected vehicle to take based on the generated observational data.

Abstract: An object is to provide novel traffic system and transportation method capable of realizing door-to-door movement in a wide range by using a plurality of operation systems. A transfer box 100 capable of accommodating a passenger and/or freight, a plurality of operation systems 200 capable of transporting the transfer box 100, a transfer means 300 which transfers the transfer box 100 from one operation system 200 to another operation system 200, and a system management unit 400 which communicates with the plurality of operation systems 200 to manage a transportation status of the transfer box 100 are provided, in which the operation system 200 includes a transfer unit 210 on which the transfer box 100 is loaded, and an operation management unit 220 which manages an operation status of the transfer unit 210.

Abstract: A rapid transit system with wheel in track design includes a guideway, a vehicle that includes a vehicle bogie or chassis that couples to the guideway, and one or more terminals and/or intermediate stations. The guideway may include a first guideway and a second guideway, with a switch guideway interposed thereinbetween that allows the vehicle to move from the first guideway to the second guideway or vice versa. The vehicle may be coupled to the guideway via the vehicle bogie. The bogie may have a first axle, a second axle, and a third axle. First and second sets of guidewheels propel the vehicle forward or backward. The first set of switch wheels and/or the second set of switch wheels may be engaged and interact with one or more first or second neutral rails or first and second switch rails to move the vehicle from guideway to guideway.

Abstract: A switch of a transport system for a movable transport element includes a main track and a secondary track branching off the main track. The movable transport element can be guided from a transition region in which the secondary track branches off from the main track. Devices for increasing a switching force to guide a moveable transport element along the main track or transfer the movable transport element to the secondary track are provided in the transition region.

Abstract: The invention relates to a contact apparatus (11) and to a charging contact unit (12) for a rapid-charging system for electrically driven vehicles, in particular electric buses or the like, and to a method for forming an electrically conductive connection between a vehicle and a stationary charging station, wherein the contact apparatus serves to form an electrically conductive connection between the vehicle and the stationary charging station comprising a charging contact unit, wherein the contact apparatus can be arranged on a vehicle, wherein the contact apparatus comprises a contact device (14), wherein the contact device can make contact with the charging contact unit, wherein the contact apparatus or the charging contact unit comprises a positioning device (15), wherein the contact device can be positioned relative to the charging contact unit by means of the positioning device, wherein the positioning device has a pantograph or a swing arm (19), by means of which the contact device can be positioned in

Abstract: A conveyance facility for conveying a bag includes: a carrier including a traveling wheel, and a support supporting the bag being suspended, the carrier conveying the bag; and a traveling rail supporting the traveling wheel so as to be travelable. The traveling rail forms a first path, and a detour path branching from a location in the middle of the first path. A branch unit for switching a conveyance path of the carrier from the first path to the detour path is provided at a branch portion between the first path and the detour path. The branch unit is capable of directing the support from the first path to the detour path.

Abstract: During travel of the electric vehicle, the charging arm is extended in the vehicle width direction, a positive electrode overhead line of the power supply device and a positive electrode power reception unit of the charging arm are brought into contact at the same time that a negative electrode overhead line of the power supply device and a negative electrode power reception unit of the charging arm are brought into contact, and a power storage device for driving the electric vehicle is charged. A charging head that is the tip section of the charging arm is held within a V-shaped groove to which the positive electrode overhead line and the negative electrode overhead line are attached, thereby minimizing the loss of contact even if the charging arm shakes in the vertical direction as a result of the condition of the road surface, brake operation, or the like.

Abstract: When transporting an article between a transport target location that belongs to, located along, or associated with, a first travel path in which actuating electricity is supplied to transport vehicles and a transport target location that belongs to, located along, or associated with, a second travel path in which actuating electricity is not supplied to transport vehicles, a managing member manages traveling of a first transport vehicle to cause the first transport vehicle to travel only along a first travel path and manages traveling of a second transport vehicle to cause the second transport vehicle to travel along both a first travel path and a second travel path.

Abstract: The present disclosure concerns a transport vehicle for handling a rotor blade mold for the production of a rotor blade of a wind power installation or a shell portion of a rotor blade of a wind power installation, adapted for use in a handling apparatus. The handling apparatus includes a first rail set for displacement of the transport vehicle in a first direction, and a second rail set for displacement of the transport vehicle in a second direction. In addition the transport vehicle includes a first wheel set including a plurality of wheels for movement on the first rail set, and a second wheel set including a plurality of wheels for movement on the second rail set.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for communicating tactile messages to a user, such as a racecar driver, yacht crewmember, or other athlete. The system can include a tactile vest having tactile activators for conveying tactile messages to the user, including real time messages for helping the user assess and improve physical performance. The messages may be generated based on various types of sensor data, including, for example, data collected by vehicle sensors of a racecar or yacht.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a transitional mode high speed rail system. The high speed rail infrastructure employed by the system is constructed adjacent a conventional host highway. The infrastructure can be provided adjacent to acceleration/deceleration lanes, or emergency parking/paved shoulder lanes. The vehicles used by the system are individual, self-powered, self-operating, individual mass passenger transport vehicles similar in size and appearance to municipal buses. These are transitional mode vehicles because they operate as railroad vehicles on the high speed rail infrastructure, but transition to automotive vehicle mode traveling on ordinary paved roads. They are mass passenger transport vehicles because many passengers can be accommodated.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for communicating tactile messages to a user, such as a racecar driver, yacht crewmember, or other athlete. The system can include a tactile vest having tactile activators for conveying tactile messages to the user, including real time messages for helping the user assess and improve physical performance. The messages may be generated based on various types of sensor data, including, for example, data collected by vehicle sensors of a racecar or yacht.

Abstract: The personal transportation rail system includes an automated, elevated single lane throughway comprising multi-gauge rail track arranged in various combinations. A computerized control system regulates spacing of vehicles while maintaining uniform speed. The rail switching is accomplished by variable gauge rail wheels on the vehicle, which selectively engage or avoid engaging with various wider rail-gauge tracks. On-ramps extend from a guideway station and are taken by the vehicle temporarily engaging with a descending wide-gauge section of track that ends side by side in parallel with the narrow-gauge track. Off-ramps lead into the guideway station as the vehicle engages with the wide-gauge section of throughway track initially in parallel with the narrow-gauge track, the wide-gauge track ascending to remove the vehicle from the main rail line. Bypassing the guideway station involves continuing engagement of the variable gauge wheels with the narrow-gauge track.

Abstract: In an example implementation, an autonomous vehicle is configured to detect closures and lane shifts in a lane of travel. The vehicle is configured to operate in an autonomous mode and determine a presence of an obstacle substantially positioned in a lane of travel of the vehicle using a sensor. The lane of travel has a first side, a second side, and a center, and the obstacle is substantially positioned on the first side. The autonomous vehicle includes a computer system. The computer system determines a lateral distance between the obstacle and the center, compares the lateral distance to a pre-determined threshold, and provides instructions to control the autonomous vehicle based on the comparison.

Abstract: A rail guided vehicle provided with a lateral pair of adjustable rollers in height is allowed to travel along travelling rails provided with a lateral pair of guide parts having long and short two vertically protruding lengths. Positions of the adjustable rollers in height may be changed such that both rollers are in an intermediate position or one is in an advanced position and the other is in a retracted position. One travelling rail branches into a first branching side and a branching/merging side, and the branching/merging side merges with a straight-travelling side of another travelling rail. When the rail guided vehicle travels on the one travelling rail toward the first branching side and travels straight on the other travelling rail, the height adjustable roller on the side opposite the branching/merging side takes the advanced position, and when travels on the branching/merging side, the rollers take the intermediate position.

Abstract: A transport installation comprising at least one carrier vehicle moving longitudinally in to-and-fro manner along a single running track being guided by two guiding elements each following one of the lateral branches of the track in a crossing area. The carrier vehicle carries two independent gripping mechanisms respectively associated with the two guiding elements and each able to temporarily secure the carrier vehicle in the lateral direction to the associated guiding elements. Such gripping mechanisms constitute on-board devices for selecting the branch associated with its direction of running on entering a crossing area.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to ground transportation systems, and more particularly to a fixed guideway transportation system that achieves a superior ratio of benefits per cost, is lower in net present cost and thus more easily justified for lower density corridors, and can provide passenger carrying capacities appropriate for higher density corridors serviced by mass rapid transit systems today. According to certain aspects, the present invention increases traffic densities by removing fixed obstacles such as track switches. In embodiments, this is achieved by providing vehicle-based switching mechanisms that interoperate with corresponding track structures to allow vehicles to switch tracks without any moving components on the track itself. According to further aspects, the invention provides a method of operating vehicle-based switching mechanisms that comply with safety requirements.

Abstract: This invention is based on using the railroad system for automatic address transportation of people and cargo. This invention allows usage of existing rail roads, many miles of which are not used or partially used. This invention includes design of vehicle that will be used for automatic address transportation. The invention allows excluding the most complicated part of railroads, switches, and transforms the railroad from an active to a passive system.

Abstract: A guide rail that is provided in a track and is brought into contact with a guide wheel of a vehicle to restrict a rolling direction of a running wheel of the vehicle, to thereby guide the vehicle along the track, includes: a rail that comprises a guide portion formed with a guide rail surface with which the guide wheel is brought into contact; and a vibration-isolating member that is provided so as to be in contact with a back surface of the guide rail surface of the guide portion.

Abstract: An actuating mechanism includes first and second hollow outer shafts, two rotating wheels located between the first and second outer shafts, and an inner shaft received in the second outer shaft. Each of the first and second outer shafts forms a connecting portion at one end thereof. Each connecting portion defines two receiving holes. Each rotating wheel includes a body and a rod extending through the body. The bodies of the rotating wheels are in contact with each other. Two ends of the rod of each rotating wheel are correspondingly received in the receiving holes of the first and second outer shafts to connect the first and second outer shafts together. One end of the inner shaft contacts the rod of one rotating wheel. The inner shaft is rotatable in the second outer shaft to drive the two rotating wheels to rotate.

Abstract: A rail guided vehicle provided with a lateral pair of adjustable rollers in height is allowed to travel along travelling rails provided with a lateral pair of guide parts having long and short two vertically protruding lengths. Positions of the adjustable rollers in height may be changed such that both rollers are in an intermediate position or one is in an advanced position and the other is in a retracted position. One travelling rail branches into a first branching side and a branching/merging side, and the branching/merging side merges with a straight-travelling side of another travelling rail. When the rail guided vehicle travels on the one travelling rail toward the first branching side and travels straight on the other travelling rail, the height adjustable roller on the side opposite the branching/merging side takes the advanced position, and when travels on the branching/merging side, the rollers take the intermediate position.

Abstract: The storage and retrieval system includes a frame having at least two columns adjacent to one another. A track is disposed in each column, each track being generally parallel to one another. A plurality of storage units reside and move within the tracks. An actuator coupled to the frame displaces the storage units in the columns and a pair of conveyors move the storage units between columns to permit sequential clockwise or counterclockwise movement of the plurality of storage units within the frame.

Abstract: An active rail transport system for the automated transport of persons or goods on conventional rails includes a car having an autonomous drive unit, brake and steering mechanism. The car may be directed away from a running through car, decelerated unloaded and/or loaded and thereafter redirected to the running through car after the speed of the car is adjusted to the speed of the running through car. A first conducting system which includes a first scanning system provides continuous traction. The first scanning system can be adjusted to account for different rail gauges during travel. A second conducting system includes scanning systems and associated guide rails for determining the direction of the car when going over diverge points and crossings.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new personal transport system for passengers and goods, which comprises: a tube car comprising a self-powered closed tube car carrying passengers or goods from door to door; and a network of tubes comprising a plurality of tubes, the said network of tubes combined with the existing blocks or buildings, with each tube in the network of tubes provided with an upper rail and/or a lower rail for supporting and/or guiding the said tube car carrying passengers or goods. According to the invention it is possible to achieve a door-to-door transport between two buildings. In comparison to other traffic systems, the inventive system's velocity, line capacity, safety and reliability, ability of resisting disasters and comfortableness are much increased while its consumption of energy, construction cost, occupied space, operating cost, noise and visual pollution are greatly reduced.

Abstract: A transport system for providing increased capacity to move individuals and freight while still accommodating the individual needs of passengers and freight movers to travel to unique destinations. The transit system including a car including a set of switching wheels that are designed to engage with a set of switching rails, the switching wheels being moveable to selectively engage with the switching rails to either maintain the car on the track or switch the car off to another track. The car has the capability to travel on the relatively high-speed track and on a conventional surface street.

Abstract: A guideway system and method of operating a guideway is included comprising a guideway with entrance and exit ramps and vehicles having both a smooth, servo-based primary steering systems based upon proximity sensing of the side of the guideway and a backup mechanical steering system. The backup steering system is selectively engaged and disengaged based on location with respect to the entrance and exit ramps and provides vehicle wheel steering in the event of a failure of the primary servo steering system. The backup steering comprises one or more vertical members affixed to the guideway and one or more steering elements engageable with the member(s). The elements may be pivoted into and out of backup steering engagement.

Abstract: A magnetically levitated transportation system employs permanent magnet rails along a guideway that interact with permanent magnets on a vehicle. The rails are optimized to reduce magnetic mass and cost of materials, while maximizing lift force. The vehicle is stabilized in the lateral and yaw directions with feedback controlled lateral control coils that interact with the permanent magnet rails on the guideway. A track switching structure employs permanent magnet rails that gradually widen along a segment of track and separate into two identical diverging rails. Feedback controlled lateral control coils in a moving vehicle stabilize that vehicle over one or the other pairs of diverging rails, as directed by a control computer, thereby causing the vehicle to continue along one path or the other, with no moving or active elements required in the track.

Abstract: The connection guide for a rail transport apparatus is provided with a first direction control guide and a second direction control guide such that when the transport vehicle travels in a forward direction, after the guiding operation of the first direction control guide is released the transport vehicle is guided by the second direction control guide, wherein a forward shift guide abuts a guide roller of the transport vehicle during the shift operation.

Abstract: A transport system for providing increased capacity to move individuals and freight while still accommodating the individual needs of passengers and freight movers to travel to unique destinations. The transit system including a car including a set of switching wheels that are designed to engage with a set of switching rails, the switching wheels being moveable to selectively engage with the switching rails to either maintain the car on the track or switch the car off to another track. The car has the capability to travel on the relatively high-speed track and on a conventional surface street.

Abstract: A guideway and chassis system of wheel-based, rail running vehicles includes a guideway system having substantially horizontal bases, two parallel rails, and mainly vertical guide rails extending along both sides of the rails, with mainly horizontal inward flanges in a vertical distance above the bases. The chassis includes a set of main wheels arranged to run on the rails and a set of guide wheels arranged to bear against the guide rails to ensure the lateral position of the vehicle. The flanges are localized closely above the top side of the guide wheels to restrict the ability of the guide wheels to upward vertical movement. The width of the flanges is sufficiently small so as to not interfere with the main wheels, thereby allowing the top of the main wheels to extend above the horizontal flanges.

Abstract: In a branch section 1 or a merge section of a rail vehicle system, an auxiliary travel surface 17 on the straight lane side includes a deformed portion 54 where the height is increased for supporting an auxiliary wheel 6 of a traveling vehicle 2. The traveling vehicle 2 is supported by the auxiliary wheel 6 and guide rollers 24, 20 such that the traveling vehicle 2 is orientated horizontally in the left-right direction, or the branch lane side D of the traveling vehicle 2 is oriented slightly upwardly.

Abstract: A multiple direction dolly transfer system includes a series of tracks laid out in a grid configuration, and heavy duty dollies capable of transferring heavy loads that roll on the tracks. The tracks are made up of rail sections having a flat section and channel guides. The dollies include metal frames with legs extending downwardly with a ball transfer unit at the foot of each leg. The ball transfer units include a ball housed in a sleeve with ball bearings positioned therein to facilitate the rolling of the dollies. This system is useful for transferring heavy loads within a manufacturing or heavy industrial facility.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a moving body system which can determine the moving position of a vehicle, stacker crane, or other moving body wherever on a moving path having a branching portion or a joining portion the moving body is, the system being able to precisely stop the moving body at any position and enabling the moving body to move fast to a stop position. A moving body system includes a vehicle 1 moving along running rails 2, 2 constituting a moving path having a joining portion and a detected member 20 laid along the running rails 2, 2. The detected member 20 includes a large number of mark members 21, 21, . . . in a direction in which the vehicle 1 moves. The vehicle 1 includes a first detecting sensor 11 and a second detecting sensor 12 which detect the mark members of the detected member 20.

Abstract: A rail guide having first and second guiding rails disposed in a mirror-inverted relationship with regard to one another. At least one pair of spaced leading and following carriages are displaceably mounted to the guiding rails so as to engage and transport a sliding component along a transport path towards a stacking area. While the leading and following carriages are slidably supported by both guiding rails along the main track of the transport path, the leading carnage slides along the first rail, and the trailing carriage slides along the second rail along the transport path downstream from the main track in the stacking area.

Abstract: A monorail switching arrangement is disclosed for switching the travel of a vehicle to either a continued-travel monorail section or a change-of-direction switched-travel monorail section, characterized by the provision of a plurality of vertically displaceable horizontal switching wheels arranged on opposite sides of the first monorail section for displacement between upper and lower positions in alternate engagement with pairs of continued-travel and switched-travel control tracks mounted on opposite sides of the monorail, respectively. In one embodiment, the switching wheels are vertically displaceable relative to the chassis, and in a second embodiment, the chassis and the switching wheels are vertically displaceable as a unit relative to the vehicle support wheels and the monorail.

Abstract: A transport system has at least one track, preferably hung on supports or hanging from cables, on which transport cars may travel, by at east one trolley. Several running wheels are provided in the trolley and the trolley may be actively rotated about the axis of the track relative to the transport car. Branchings are provided in the track, in which the track divides into two track branches. In the vicinity of the branching lies an intersection of the outer surfaces of the track branches, such that on each of the upper side and the lower side there are two grooves due to the intersection, which meet in the vicinity of the gusset, between the two track branches. Between the grooves, on both the upper and lower side, is a tapering web, the surfaces of which are part of the surface area of the track branches.

Abstract: The guideway-based transportation system includes a guideway and a mating vehicle. The guideway includes a main guideway section that may branch at a branch point into two separate branch sections. The guideway has a suitable geometry to support and guide the vehicle at any speed reasonably associated with such a transportation system. The vehicle includes both support and guide wheels to support the weight of the vehicle and to maintain contact between the vehicle and the guideway as it moves along the guideway, and may optionally include a switching wheel assembly for switching the path of travel of the vehicle from the main guideway section to either of the branch sections.

Abstract: The rail transport system may generally be an elevated rail system that may be located along existing transportation right of ways such as roads, railroads, rivers, etc. While the system is generally structured for elevated roadways, it may also have surface or ground level elements. The system uses rail sections and rail switch sections having two load rail elements to carry automobile carrier cars and passenger cars. Guide rails are attached to the load rail elements by upstanding guide rail supports.

Abstract: A deviating device for deviating a transporting means in a deviating plane was a deviating unit, two track portions of a movement path of a transporting means adjoining the deviating device and clamping the deviating plane, and mountable on the deviating unit, the track portions being mountable on a separate component of the deviating device, the components being turnable relative to one another about a turning axis which is substantially orthogonal to the deviating plane and being fixable in a predetermined angular position.

Abstract: A rail-mounted transport device for ultra-heavy loads, in particular for changing steel mill converters includes a vehicle which accepts the load independently and is guided on tracks to a delivery station via a turning station where the transport direction is changed, in particular by 90°. The vehicle frame has an annular component for accepting the load, at least three turning wheels provided at the periphery of the annular component, and transport wheels arranged on the vehicle frame, wherein the transport wheels and/or the turning wheels are adjustable in height by means of adjusting elements. The adjusting elements are connected to actuators which can be brought into a position above the vehicle frame in which the transport wheels are raised from the rails during turning. Motors drive the turning wheels to rotate the vehicle frame from the previous transport direction into the desired transport direction.

Abstract: A transport system has a pair of levitating rails, each of the levitating rails has a core with a plurality of coils extending circumferentially around each of the cores. The coils are perpendicular to the lengths of the levitating rails. Each of the levitating rails has an upper surface directly above the core. A vehicle has wheels that roll on the upper surfaces of the levitating rails in a nonlevitating position. The vehicle has a plurality of magnets that create magnetic fields that pass through the coils while the vehicle is moving along the levitating rails. The magnetic fields induce current, which in turn causes an opposing magnetic field that levitates the vehicle. A steering rail having a plurality of coils is mounted to at least one of the guideways. Permanent steering magnets are located on each side of the steering rail to magnetically steer the vehicle along the guideways.

Abstract: A diverter for a suspended conveying apparatus in which conveyable-article carriers provided with running rollers are guided on running rails. A diverter tongue is connected to a running-rail section via an articulated arrangement so as to be pivotable between two diverter positions. The articulated arrangement includes a bridging element that connects the running profile of the running-rail section to the running profile of the diverter tongue and is mounted to be pivoted about an axis on the running-rail section as well as about an axis on the diverter tongue. In a transition region between the running-rail section and the bridging element, in each case one running-roller guide surface of the running-roller section and one running-roller guide surface of the bridging element run one beside the other in the conveying direction to respectively support a running roller of a conveyable-article carrier.

Abstract: A passive steering assembly for a guided vehicle movable along a guideway includes a vehicle including at least one axle structure; a pivot joint at each end of the axle structure; a wheel mounting pivotably engaged with each pivot joint; a hub for rotatably mounting a wheel to each wheel mounting; a wheel connected to each hub for moving the vehicle; and a lateral guide device for controlling the lateral position of the axle structure for steering the wheels to follow the path of the guideway and to a passive steering system including a plurality of such assemblies.

Abstract: A transportation system, generically known as Personal Rapid Transit, employs conventional electric or hybrid automobiles (18) underwhich are mounted electro-mechanical adaptors (24) which permits them to operate autonomously on an elevated guideway (16) which is part of the PRT system. An electronic guidance sensor system (45), and other functional components built into the adaptors, permits the vehicles to track unique rf signals emitted from a guidance wire (36) centrally embedded in the guideway, and to exit and enter the guideway to and from off-line stations (10), and to select various platforms and storage areas within these stations.