Intermodal Innovation

by Andreas Steingr�ver, Railway Signal Engr.; Braunschweig, Germany,
Rasmus Krevet, Railway Signal Engr.; Braunschweig, Germany,
Robert L. Bertini, Asst. Prof.; Portland State Univ., Portland, OR,


Serial Information: Civil Engineering—ASCE, 2001, Vol. 71, Issue 4, Pg. 56-61


Document Type: Feature article

Abstract:

A future application of magnetic levitation (maglev) technology could provide motorists with an alternative to congested freeways without requiring them to give up their automobiles. One such application is a proposed intermodal transportation system called Autoshuttle, which enables commuters to drive their cars into individualized cabins that then travel in convoys along a maglev guideway parallel to an existing freeway. Convoys would travel at a constant speed of 180 km/h (112 mph). The system would attract riders by offering a fare lower than the cost of operating the automobile for the same distance. Autoshuttle could be built as an alternative to widening an existing freeway. A suggested location for the system in the United States is U.S. 101 between San Francisco and San Jose, California. The authors find the system to be safe, economical, and environmentally friendly.

Subject Headings: Highways and roads | Automobiles | Magnetic levitation trains | Traffic congestion | Safety | Magnetic fields | Innovation

Services: Buy this book/Buy this article

 

Return to search