SkyTran News Cast

Channel 7 SkyTran News Cast

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• Transportation
• News
• Vehicle
• Future

[hughtub]

I had email exchange with Mr. Malewicki after I saw the skytran in Popular Science. It's such a superior method of non-stop transportation, is clearly inevitable, just a matter of getting the right people to set up a test track somewhere, like between a huge factory and nearby suburb. I wish some billionaire would invest. This sort of thing can revolutionize package delivery and travel. We need an interstate Skytran system. Highways are outdated.

[ratesforless]

@wrcousert

The wind has changed directions a little bit since the last time you posted here. They have a prototype out right now and NASA is testing the thing as we speak...

[edwinstar100]

Get out there and promote it people, great idea for inner cities. How will people impose themselves and expand their personal space without a Licoln Navigator! We will have to go back to dressing lavishly.

[frencheneesz]

@wrcousert I fully support SkyWeb Express as a far better alternative to our current transportation systems. But you're wrong about SkyTran.

SkyTran uses magnetic switching When switching happens at the speed of light, you aren't really limited in speed...

You assert 10 cents per mile is impossible, but you don't say why. SkyTran's energy costs will be circa 1 or 2 cents because of the small frontal area and electric linear power. Old gasoline cars do 10 cents per mile already...

[kmarinas86]

@hughtub

"There are plenty of other transportation options for the disabled. Do the disabled complain about bike lanes on roads, since they can't use bikes?"

My common sense meter has just exploded.

[Blumudus]

No way. You'd stall the skytran project for 30 years or so for no reason, waiting for a major highway transformation to materialize. The two have no direct relationship, plus the electric dual mode requires new vehicles, road modifications, issues of all kinds, and it's still prone to road accidents and mechanical problems.

[fireofenergy]

Awesome! I heard about this many years ago. Perhaps the reason they ain't here yet is to perfect the concept. After all, venture capitalist's don't want any "traffic jams"...

Imagine the next step, heavier, but able to transport PERSONAL e-cars straight up posts (or whatever) to homes on any level too!

Powered by robotically mass produced renewable energy, stored by robotically mass produced LiFePO4 batteries.

Ideas glisten, proving that we do indeed still have hopes for a future!

[wrcousert]

The one cent per mile quote was made well over a decade ago. Add in inflation plus the fact that California's electric rates have increased rapidly since then. I'll bet it will cost at LEAST 25 cents per mile by the time it's actuall built, maybe even more.

[hughtub]

Ok that's a good start. Whatever pushes demand in this direction is good.

[wrcousert]

ULTRa PRT is here TODAY. London's Heathrow airport is in the final testing stages of their system.

It may not be as fast as SkyTran, but it's affordable and proven.

ULTRa PRT has another advantage over SkyTran - it's trackless. The vehicles have rubber tires. It should be possible to design a car that can operate both on city streets and on the ULTRa system - you could park one in your garage, drive to the nearest station and let the computer take over until you get to your destination.

[hughtub]

Yes it shows that it's too far out to be realistically considered now... as I think about this I realize that attentionless driving is far more important than speed. A rail for trucks and highway drivers would allow cars to be made of much lighter materials, further improving energy efficiency.