Abstract: A rail system includes a main track, a spur track connected to the main track by a switch changeable between a closed state and an open state, and a station spaced from the main track and accessible by the spur track. The rail system further includes a train with a passenger car and an EMDI releasably coupleable behind the passenger car. A method of operating the rail system includes decoupling the EMDI from the passenger car when the train is moving at a first speed toward the switch in the closed state. The EMDI is decelerated to a second speed less than the first speed. After the train has moved past the switch and the switch has been changed to the open state, the EMDI is diverted from the main track to the spur track via the switch in the open state and decelerated to a stop at the station.

Abstract: Navigation devices, systems, and methods for transmitting notifications to and/or receiving notifications from electronic devices associated with passengers of connectable vehicles are described herein. In one example, a method is provided for sending a notification regarding a planned detachment of a designated vehicle from a plurality of connected vehicles. The method includes receiving a navigation destination for a passenger of an initial vehicle, calculating a detachment time or detachment location of the designated vehicle from the plurality of connected vehicles based on the received navigation destination, and transmitting a personalized notification to an electronic device associated with the passenger regarding the detachment time or detachment location of the designated vehicle from the plurality of connected vehicles.

Abstract: A method for accelerated power push back of an aircraft equipped with a pilot-controlled engines-off taxi system that drives the aircraft without reliance on the aircraft's main engines or tugs is provided. An aircraft is quickly and efficiently moved out of a gate where it is positioned in a nose-in orientation. The pilot controls the taxi system to drive the aircraft in reverse along a perpendicular path away from the terminal to a location where there is sufficient space for the aircraft to stop and turn, and the aircraft is turned and driven in a forward direction to a takeoff runway. Pilot reliance on ground personnel guidance during push back maneuvers is minimized by providing a monitoring system designed to monitor gate and ramp areas around the aircraft in any visibility or environmental conditions and provide feedback to the pilot.

Abstract: Vehicles which are provided with at least one sensor and a location system, such as a Global Positioning System (GPS) detect parking spaces and/or road obstacles when driving along a road. The detected parking space and/or road obstacle data is transferred to a remote processing module. The processing module may then provide the detected parking space and/or road obstacle data to a requesting vehicle, which is located in the vicinity of the detected parking space and/or road obstacle. In addition, the at least one sensor may detect road data, such as data regarding parking restrictions at the location of the detected parking space. The detected road data may be used to determine whether the detected parking space is available to the requesting vehicle. Furthermore, parking permit data may be used to determine whether the detected parking space is available to the requesting vehicle.

Abstract: A boarding bridge includes: a fixed tunnel of which one end is connected to a terminal or an extended fixed tunnel; and a rotunda of which one end is connected to the other end of the fixed tunnel and which is supported by a rotunda column. The rotunda column is driven to raise or lower the rotunda.

Abstract: An improved aircraft gate parking and servicing method is provided, wherein an aircraft is maneuvered into an airport terminal gate and parked in an optimum orientation at an angle that facilitates maximum access to aircraft front and rear doors. Boarding bridges are designed to facilitate connection to doors located rear of an aircraft wing without extending over the aircraft wing to maximize efficiency of passenger transfer. Passenger transfer and servicing of the aircraft may occur concurrently before the aircraft is maneuvered out of its optimum orientation in the parking space and driven to a takeoff runway for departure. Required safety margins are maintained at all times during aircraft maneuvers into and out of the optimum parking orientation. Stairs may be provided to simultaneously access aircraft doors not connected to boarding bridges. In a preferred embodiment, aircraft are moved to an optimum parking location by engines-off electric taxi systems.

Abstract: This loader is for transferring cargo containers between vehicles having an exposed center sill and end platforms to receive the loader between them. The loader has top and bottom frames for respectively extending over and under the center sill of the vehicle. The bottom frame is supported on wheels that fit under the sill. The top frame extends over the vehicle's sill and over the bottom frame of the loader and fits between platforms on the vehicle which supports the ends of the container to align. Air-lift bags on the top frame lift the container off or set it in place on the vehicle. The top and bottom frames are connected along one side to support the loader on its wheels to straddle the sill of the vehicle. The wheels are lifted to carry the loader on the vehicle for transport under the container.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of increasing track capacity in an automated vehicle system, the automated vehicle system comprising a network of tracks along which vehicles are adapted to travel, the network comprising at least one merge point at which at least two up stream tracks merge to form a downstream track, at least one diverge point at which one upstream track diverges to form at least two down-stream tracks and a plurality of stations at which passengers may board and/or disembark from the vehicles; wherein the method comprises controlling vehicles so as to cause empty vehicles to travel as at least one sequence of vehicles defined as a platoon; and controlling the empty vehicles of the at least one sequence to travel with a first safety distance between each other, the first safety distance being shorter than a second safety distance between vehicles being at least partially loaded.

Abstract: In order to facilitate entering or exiting in a cable railway system, at least one part of the floor of the passenger region adjoining the passenger gondolas is formed by a transport device, which is configured to transport the passengers located thereon in the direction of movement of the passenger gondolas. The transport device can be formed by one or more conveyor belts, which follow the path of the passenger gondolas for a distance such that the passenger can comfortably change over from the transport device to the gondolas.

Abstract: A system is provided with vehicles for Under-way Vehicle transfer where railway depot cars run on track flush in runways for buses or other highway vehicles to drive parallelly into bottom and side openings, berths, in the cars while moving at train speed along the runway and be lifted and lowered in their berths for transfer of passengers to and from the train nonstop. The buses have an alignment arm at each front (both ends are front) for the driver to extend into the opening and apply pressure on the front face of the berth on the train so the bus driver can detect steady alignment by reading a pressure gauge before turning to enter the opening. The arm is pushed into the bus as the bus reaches alignment under the berth and turns the bus wheels parallel with the train if the driver has not. The bus floor is at or near the height of the depot car floor when set on end ledges in the berth by retracting the bus wheels or lowering end brackets to lift the bus for quick exchange of passengers with the train.

Abstract: A long distance transit system for transferring passengers at a high rate of speed, the transit system comprises at least one mainline train, at least one station train, a rail system having at least one station with at least one mainline track and at least one station line. At least one mainline train travels exclusively on the at least one mainline track and the at least one station train travels on at least one station line. At least one mainline train travels at a consistent speed on at least one mainline track. At least one station train travels from at least one station to at least one mainline track reaching a speed substantially equal to that of the at least one mainline train and traveling adjacent thereto.

Abstract: The disclosure includes systems and methods of mass transit. In accordance with one embodiment, the system includes a first train traveling on a first track having a first car with a first door for accessing the first car, a second train traveling on a second track parallel to the first track having a second car with a second door for accessing the second car, and a controller for aligning the first and second doors when the first and second trains are traveling alongside one another and engaging the first train to the second train so that passengers or goods can be transferred between the trains while the trains are moving.

Abstract: An assembly for transferring passenger-carrying vehicles to and from an amusement park ride conveying a train of vehicles without stopping for passenger loading. The assembly includes a transfer vehicle and a vehicle receiver positioned in the vehicle train. The vehicle receiver includes a connection mechanism, such as an electromagnet selectively operable to capture and release the transfer vehicle. A turntable is positioned adjacent to the track and selectively rotates at a rotation rate. The turntable includes an engagement mechanism, such as an electromagnet, on its periphery operable to capture and release the transfer vehicle (e.g., to capture when the vehicle receiver releases and vice versa). The rotation rate and the ride speed synchronize turntable rotation with travel of the train to mesh placement of the turntable engagement mechanism proximate to the connection mechanism of the vehicle receiver to facilitate hand off of the transfer vehicle without stopping the vehicle train.

Abstract: A guided transport vehicle has a berth with open side and bottom for a roadway vehicle to be driven along side on a station driveway and obliquely steered into the berth and lifted for transport on the transport vehicle and lowered to another station driveway and obliquely steered out from the berth. The guided vehicle can be a railway car in a train on a track or guideway flush with station driveways for the transfer vehicle. The transfer vehicle can be a bus, truck, motor home, or platform for holding containers or vehicles. This transfer vehicle has all wheel parallel steering and can shift to front wheel steering at either end. End rollers guide the transfer vehicle parallelly in and out of the berth, and end lifts raise the vehicle for travel on the train above the track. The vehicle is controlled to accelerate to train speed and aligned before all wheels are turned together at an oblique angle to enter the berth.

Abstract: A conveyor for medium distances has a track with at least two entry/exit points (1), by which cars (4-8) that can be run are run or moved continuously and rest snugly against one another as a footprint that is designed as a sector of a circle or a ring segment. The entry/exit points (1) are connected in two travel directions with one track that is usually designed from rails (2, 3), along which the cars (4-8) can be moved in an individually controlled manner by a drive. The running speed along the track is independent of that when moving through the entry/exit points (1). The conveyor therefore combines the advantages of continuously running conveyor belts with those of rapid transport tracks.

Abstract: An assistance system for loading and/or unloading passengers on board cars of a transport installation where the cars move along a closed circuit comprises a rope in a closed loop having a first section arranged tangentially to a section of the closed circuit and a second section arranged along a loading and/or unloading area of the passengers on board vehicles coupled to the rope at regular intervals equal to a multiple of the interval between the cars. The drive means of the rope are associated with means for servo-control of the running speed of the rope according to the speed of movement of the cars able to continuously ensure that each vehicle running along the first section occupies a position adjacent to a car.

Abstract: A guided vehicle adapted for travel at high speeds on a roadway. The vehicle has front and rear wheels pivotably coupled to a vehicle body. A front steering mechanism is coupled to the front wheels and a rear steering mechanism is coupled to the rear wheels. At least one sensing unit is carried by the body for sensing a plurality of guidepath indicators extending along the roadway for providing a signal indicative of the position of the body relative to the guidepath indicators. A controller is coupled to the at least one sensing unit and the front and rear steering mechanisms for controlling the pivoting of the front and rear wheels as a function of the signal. A method for operating a guided vehicle is provided.

Abstract: A transportation system with a plurality of transportation subsystems, each having a plurality of units with a tear drop shape. A plurality of wheels extends from both sides of the units. At least one primary linear transportation subsystem support with an associated primary transportation subsystem includes a pair of C-shaped retention supports adapted to receive and retain the wheels. At least one secondary transportation subsystem support in the form of a loop and associated with a secondary transportation subsystem. The secondary transportation subsystem support loop is placed adjacent to the primary linear transportation subsystem support to facilitate the transfer of passengers and baggage between primary and secondary transportation subsystems.

Abstract: A transportation system for use on a roadway having first and second lanes. The system has a lead vehicle adapted for travel at high speeds on the roadway and a passenger vehicle adapted for travel at high speeds on the roadway. Means for coupling the passenger vehicle to the lead vehicle while the lead vehicle and the passenger vehicle are traveling at high speeds on the roadway so that the passenger vehicle travels with the lead vehicle on the roadway is provided.

Abstract: Cabs, such as passenger and freight cabs, are transferred from one horizontal transport bogie that is moving along a track to another horizontal transport bogie moving at the same speed on an adjacent track. The cab may be transferred from one train or shuttle of moving bogies to another train of moving bogies, or may be transferred from a train of moving bogies to an auxiliary shuttle or bogie on a siding so as to permit the cab to be brought to a stop, either to allow transfer of passengers, to be moved into the car frame of an adjacent elevator for vertical transport within the building, or to simply await the coming of another train, traveling in either the same or in opposite direction, to which the cab may then be transferred.

Abstract: An automatic vehicle transportation system (AVTS) is installed on a long or super long bridge in order to lighten and permit elongation of the entire bridge structure. The transportation system includes mode converting interchanges, automatic transportation lanes, trucks or pallets on which vehicles are mobilized, garages for trucks or pallets, converting lanes for trucks or pallets, merging and diverging ramps, toll gates, embarkation entrances and disembarkation exits, a fiber optic cable and a control center. In this innovative design, solar cells, a beat pump, bicycle paths, motorcycle paths, a green zone, shops and walkways for people may be located on the bridge floor. It is also possible to install the automatic vehicle transportation system inside the box girder or the lower deck of a truss girder without polluting the inside air of the girder.

Abstract: In one embodiment, fuzzy sets indicative of the degree to which the time since the last passenger boarded an escalator can be deemed to be zero, a very long time, or something in between, are combined with fuzzy sets indicative of the extent to which the maximum number of passengers in a recent temporal or cyclic period can be deemed to be a zero passenger, a very large group, or something in between. In another embodiment, fuzzy sets indicative of the degree to which the time since the last passenger exited an empty escalator can be deemed to be nearly zero, a very long time, or something in between, are combined with fuzzy sets indicative of the degree to which the maximum group of passengers on the escalator at any time since the last time it was empty can be deemed to be a single passenger, a very large group, or something in between.

Abstract: A band transportation system that includes a main band that extends over a closed path and includes one or more straight portions, an embarking band assembly and a disembarking band assembly with straight portions each that are brought adjacent to the straight portion of the main band by hydraulic mechanisms that move a carousel on which the embarking and disembarking bands are mounted. When the embarking and/or disembarking bands reach the speed of the main band, the passenger move from one band to the other when they are traveling on the straight portion which has sufficient length to permit this. The main band is electrically powered and the embarking and disembarking bands may include electromagnetic levitating mechanisms. Dividers are positioned on the different bands to protect the passengers from the wind. An alternate embodiment includes the use of an intermediate band assembly that travels at a constant speed equal to the speed of the main band.

Abstract: Arrangements are disclosed for an automatic mobile and components thereof together with a new mass transit system wherein cost reductions, manufacturing simplicity and new methods of travel are obtained primarily through the use of Integrated Sub Systems, Symmetry, Remanufacturability, Transfusion Coatings, and an Automatic Transport Mode thereby resulting in elimination of large automotive assembly plants and the haulaway delivery inductry with subsequent opening-up of competition which will allow new automotive industries to form with very minimal ini-investments.

Abstract: An articulated bridge as a component of a detachable gangway floor plate between two articulated interconnected railroad cars, the bridge being provided with several elongated bridge elements arranged in succession laterally, and running transverse to the direction of the bridge. The articulated extremities of the bridge are defined by the side walls of a frame approximately following the contours of the bridge. One end section of the bridge is designed for attachment to one of the two interconnected railroad cars and the other end section of the bridge is designed for attachment to the corresponding end section of an articulated bridge of the other of the two interconnected railroad cars, both end sections running in the transverse direction of the bridge.

Abstract: The overhead cable transport installation possesses at each of the stations a transfer section between a disembarking section and an embarking section. At a still linear starting section of each transfer section there are provided driven wheels and at the linear end or terminal section of each transfer section there are likewise provided driven wheels. The driven wheels at the starting section are driven at a stepped greater rotational speed in relation to wheels located at the disembarking section, so that vehicles of the overhead cable transport installation arriving in the transfer section can be accelerated by the driven wheels engaging at friction shoes of the vehicle. A chain conveyor extends between the driven wheels of the starting section of the transfer section along the latter and transports the vehicles at an increased velocity and with a correspondingly greater mutual spacing from one another through curved portions of the transfer section.

Abstract: A tracked transportation system uses an automatic car door opening and closing system. The car door or one panel of a two-panel door carries a lever on which is a rear abutment member designed to roll along an outside surface at the bottom of the car. This member enters a housing when the door is closed. The door is closed by holding it as the car moves slowly along a platform, by means of a hook attached to the lever.

Abstract: Disclosed is a transportation device comprised of a series of load carrying components connected together so that the distance between the components vary thereby allowing the components to move in a closed loop path. Rotatingly driven endless screws are positioned along the closed loop path and are engaged by a projection associated with the component as a particular component moves along a screw. The thread pitch of the screws is arranged to control the distance between adjacent component and the speed of the components.

Abstract: Disclosed is a self-propelled suspension monorail vehicle carried on top of a nonstop train. At depots the monorail vehicle attaches itself to a suspended monorail by way of an attachable drive mechanism.Passengers leaving the nonstop train have access to the monorail vehicle by way of a stairway that extends through a magnetic collar that connects the bottom of the monorail vehicle to the top of the nonstop train. Horizontal sliding doors seal the bottom of the monorail vehicle and the top of the nonstop train during a separation or retrieving maneuver.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically operating a semi-continuous passenger transport system using non-motorized vehicles. Fault conditions corresponding to passengers or articles carried by passengers projecting beyond a surface limiting access to the vehicles in stations are detected. Detection of such fault conditions initiates progressive implementation of fault condition signalling, and slowing and stopping of the tracks which drive the vehicles. These measures are progressively cancelled on clearance of the fault condition.

Abstract: The device comprises cabins allowing a front or side access, each cabin having a first part and a second part. The first part of the cabin comprises a frame (6), rolling along a rolling track (1,2), carrying a fixed floor (11) surrounded by a fixed protection wall (12). The second part of the cabin comprises a rectangular grooved plate (13). In the loading and unloading areas the plates (13) of adjacent cabins are in contact and form a continuous carpet. A rotary moving door (23) surrounds the cabin when the latter moves individually outside the loading and unloading areas.

Abstract: A transportation system comprises a plurality of successive load carrying components, means for moving the components along a closed-loop path and means for controlling the speed of the components and their distance apart. The controlling means is operable by moving the components along the closed-loop path without rotation of the components traverse to the closed-loop path direction.

Abstract: A belt conveyor transportation system includes a plurality of belt conveyor units each having an endless belt whose main constituent element consists of a magnetic material so as to be magnetically attractive with magnets, and the conveyor units are continuously arranged lengthwise along a desired transportation network layout to form a conveyor line. The conveyor units of the conveyor line drive their magnetic belts separately or in groups each including a number of the units at an independent speed. A moving body or bodies are arranged to move along the conveyor line, and the moving member includes a magnet system. By virtue of the magnetic attraction between the conveyor units and the magnet system, the moving member travels along the conveyor line while being hauled by the magnetic belts of the conveyor units at their respective speeds.

Abstract: A belt conveyor transportation system includes a plurality of belt conveyor units each having an endless belt whose main constituent element consists of a magnetic material so as to be magnetically attractive with magnets, and the conveyor units are continuously arranged lengthwise along a desired transportation network layout to form a conveyor line. The conveyor units of the conveyor line drive their magnetic belts separately or in groups each including a number of the units at an independent speed. A moving body or bodies are arranged to move along the conveyor line, and the moving member includes a magnet system. By virtue of the magnetic attraction between the conveyor units and the magnet system, the moving member travels along the conveyor line while being hauled by the magnetic belts of the conveyor units at their respective speeds.

Abstract: A passenger loading method and installation is provided by means of which passengers are mechanically propelled and accelerated to a velocity substantially the same as that of a main transport structure onto which they can be loaded without the necessity of stopping or slowing movement of the main transport structure. The invention is particularly applicable to ski-lifts and enables an increase in hourly carrying capacity of such lifts.

Abstract: A container or a carrier for one or more containers is supported on a transfer cam track along side a railway or roadway for transfer of the containers to a rail or road vehicle which is side coupled to the container or carrier to move it for transfer of the container or containers to the transport vehicle. The transfer track on which the container or carrier travels has horizontal and vertical displacement curves to vertically align the container with a container berth on the transport vehicle and set it down on supports thereon. The transfer track continues at the lower level and curves back away from the transport vehicle to remove the carrier away from the container. The cam track can be a single rail or multiple rails spaced horizontally or vertically with the container or carrier designed accordingly. The carrier can have forks, loadspreader, or side hooks to lift containers. The containers can have wheels to run on the station track to eliminate the carrier.

Abstract: A railway maintenance car is provided for elevated railways which uses the rails, or rail of a monorail system, to move to the place of maintenance, thus avoiding obstruction of ground areas beneath the railway. The car of the invention includes telescoping cantilevered maintenance access platforms movable laterally and longitudinally of the car to place maintenance personnel alongside stalled cars on the rail or rails, and to move such personnel under the rail itself for maintenance and repair. The telescoping features of the invention include independently operable devices at each end of a telescoping platform in order to extend such platforms at an angle to the axis of the car for accommodating curved rail access.

Abstract: Transport installation comprising individual passive vehicles each equipped with a triple grip for coupling the vehicle to a main haulage cable extending along the track or to auxiliary haulage cables for instance acceleration and deceleration cables in a station. One pair of jaws of the grip is open when the two other pairs of jaws are in the coupling position and inversely. A change of cable operation is effected by a single control and the gauge of the grip is maintained small to permit its passing between the guide sheaves of the cables.

Abstract: A continuous transport system characterized in that the vehicles providing passenger or goods transportation are passive vehicles without self-contained motors or braking devices, the drive for these vehicles when formed into trains being provided between stations by a head locomotive and a tail locomotive.

Abstract: This invention improves upon my side transfer system and devices of my U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,416,684, 3,483,829, and 3,484,002 wherein the improvement comprises transfer devices actuated by a cam rider or riders on transfer station car engaging a cam track along the transfer run and control of the transfer devices to insure safety. Side transfer cars couple selected pedestal cars in a passing train and have transfer arms that reach under one or more containers or trailers of various lengths to lift on or off between the parallelrunning sidecouple car according to train direction over a change of elevation in the cam track. A three grooved cam wheel is lifted from cam rail to cam rail to right or left to carry a second cam rider over a similar cam track plan to operate arms of a second transfer device is coordination to transfer a long container with two transfer devices.

Abstract: A continuous transport system for serving an urban region, for example, for ublic transport. The transport system includes at least one looped main track which cooperates with at least one station track. The main track conveys platforms with removable cabins disposed thereon at a constant speed, and the cabins are adapted to be transferred to similar platforms provided on the station track. The station track varies the speed of the cabins therealong to permit embarkation and disembarkation therefrom.

Abstract: A modular rapid transportation system is described which features transport modules for carrying passengers and/or freight, high-speed, constant-velocity conveyors for transporting the transport modules from station to station and variable-speed transfer vehicles at the stations capable of matching velocities with the high-speed conveyors for loading and unloading the transport modules onto and off of the conveyors. A station in the system is located between at least two oppositely-moving, constant-velocity conveyors and includes at least two closed-circuit, overhead rails above the constant-velocity conveyors.The transfer vehicle travelling on a rail accelerates from a loading/unloading section of the rail with a transport module and matches the velocity of one of the constant-velocity conveyors, transfers the transport module to that conveyor and then moves to a storage section of the rail.

Abstract: Two central railroad tracks, carrying express trains in opposite directions, are flanked at a station by respective pairs of lateral tracks accommodating shuttle trains for the loading and unloading, respectively, of the associated express trains. The shuttle trains accelerate from standstill, upon the approach of the express train, to the speed of the latter and, on pulling abreast with the express train, dock with it to facilitate the transfer of passengers and freight from the loading shuttle to the express and from the express to the unloading shuttle. The freight compartments of the trains have lateral door sections which, for docking as well as loading and unloading, can be swung down and up to form bridges with guidetracks and overhead bearing surfaces for roller-mounted transporters which are pneumatically shifted across these bridges.

Abstract: This invention improves and extends the utility of the system disclosed in my U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,483,829 and 3,484,022 wherein containers are transferred to and from trains passing along under an overhead carrier and manually and/or automatically routed and stored; wherein my present improvement comprises: a reorganized and redesigned station with improved automatic container handling, storage and transfer for freight containers or trailers of a length and twice the length such as 20 and 40 ft.

Abstract: A transportation system is comprised of a first closed loop passenger and cargo transporter section with such section being ideally intended to operate at a substantially constant speed, and a second closed loop passenger transfer section with such section being intended to operate, generally between the first closed loop and a related stationary passenger platform, as to cyclically maintain a speed equivalent to the constant speed of the first closed loop, then decelerate until it is stationary with respect to the related stationary passenger platform and then accelerate until it is again at the speed of the first closed loop transporter section. Passengers and cargo may, during the time that the transfer section is stationary with respect to the passenger platform, transfer from the platform onto the then stationary transfer section (or if getting off of the system, transfer from the then stationary transfer section onto the platform).