With the existing mode of transports, air pollution continues to plague our globe. Air traffic is getting denser with the number of commercial and cargo aircrafts rising to keep up with the demand. The mayhem on the roads doesn’t need any briefing at all. However it is hoped that Airtrain’s Mountaineer will put an end to all these traveling woes. This aerodynamic vehicle is designed such that it can carry 50 passengers in a quiet, smooth and swift manner through the scenic mountains. But here at Ecofriend, we want to give emphasis to its green factor. It is an electric vehicle so won’t leave any carbon footprints behind like other conventional modes of similar kinda of transport.
Passengers can travel like never before, climbing steep grades (12%), crossing streams and mountain passes. The patented Airtrain technology consists of a fixed overhead inverted “T” rail, utilizing wingless aerodynamic vehicles. 3-Phase electricity is transferred to the vehicle by a spring loaded contact between the top of the vehicle and the bottom of the inverted “T”. Operational speeds between 5 to 20 mph would be provided using electrically driven “trucks” powered by small motors when the vehicle is arriving or leaving the terminal.
These “trucks” rest on an elliptical surface which holds the vehicle in place on the rail. Once the vehicle has left the terminal, electrically powered ducted fans provide the necessary thrust to move the vehicle smoothly and quickly to average speeds ranging from 60 to 120 mph. Since the thrust from these large ducted fans are not derived from actual friction on the rail, the Airtrain can navigate up very steep grades (12%).
It is also an excellent paradigm for Inter-mobility traveling. Coupling a system like Airtrain to work hand in hand with other transportation modes of passenger and freight, you have a complete intermodal system.
