The People's Transport

 

Atmostrack System Features

SAFETY

  • It is almost impossible for the vehicle to be derailed and rail failure is totally eliminated

  • It is impossible to run two vehicles on the same sector of track

  • Braking is highly effective and independent of track condition

  • There are no exposed electric power rails or overhead lines

  • Power transmission medium is air at low pressure

  • No on-board fuel or oil thus reducing fire risk

  • Low track clearance reduces personal injury hazard and clears objects on the line placed by vandals etc.

 

RELIABILITY

  • Very simple, direct operating system with greatly reduced likelihood of breakdown

  • Stand-by operation and back-up systems are easily applied in the event of breakdown

  • All technology is low level, proven and well established

  • Operation is unaffected by track condition (ice, water, leaves etc.)

  • Central operation control with stand-by onboard operation in emergencies.

  • No vulnerable overhead power lines or signalling equipment

  • Lower embankments and shallower cuttings less vulnerable to landslip

 

ENVIRONMENT

  • The energy requirements could be less than half those of the comparable current rail system

  • The system can use any available energy source including wind, water, wave, tidal, biomass, solar, geothermal etc.

  • Drive equipment can be configured for highest efficiency with lowest emissions and Combined Heat and Power operation

  • Operation can achieve almost silent running with little or no train noise

  • Greenfield site installation with minimal ecological impact

  • Materials requirements for rolling stock construction are greatly reduced

  • Visual impact of track is improved - no signal standards, overhead gantries etc.

  • Substantial volumes of traffic can be diverted from the roads and air

 

FLEXIBILITY AND CONVENIENCE

  • Feasible to run small units at frequent intervals giving great flexibility of scheduling and can be demand driven

  • Operation can be very fast allowing city centre times comparable to air travel

  • Good interface with other transport systems such as road freight, car ferry etc.

  • Dual capacity track able to support new system and conventional rail traffic

  • System is highly adaptable to other operational modes such as underground railways, urban elevated systems (silent), airport shuttles, mountain railways etc.

  • The system can handle much steeper gradients than currently possible

  • Low suspension makes full height of carriage available

  • Establishment of branch line networks for increased local coverage

 

 

 

 

 

 

PASSENGER COMFORT

  • Smooth, quiet ride

  • High stability when running eliminating sway

  • Smooth and silent braking and acceleration

  • Low car floors for easy access

 

DEVELOPMENT

  • No new technology to develop or prove

  • Low technology allows quick and cheap construction of prototypes and pilot schemes

 

RUNNING COST

  • Energy requirement could be half that of current system

  • Can use any energy source (cheapest) available

  • In running high efficiency re-generation returns power to the system which is capable of storing it

  • Track and rolling stock require very low maintenance

  • The number and training of staff can be significantly reduced

  • No locomotive maintenance required

  • No signalling or train protection system is needed

 

CAPITAL COST

  • High initial investment required in track conversion and power units

  • After initial construction capital requirements drop dramatically (no locomotives required)

  • Low cost rolling stock investment (phased changeover using existing stock)

  • No train protection system or signalling investment needed

  • Greenfield installations are very simple, fast to build, ecologically less disruptive and cheaper than existing technologies.

 

 

 

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ATMOSTRACK - the future of transport