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Thursday, 05 March 2009 15:03 |
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Hello again Dr Anderson,
I can agree that "surface level rail" is an accurate description of "Light Rail" systems as they are usually constructed.
The issue I was trying to deal, concerning the term "Light Rail", is the misapprehension on the part of the general public that "Light Rail" is a small footprint, low impact, & hence desirable form of rail when the facts are generally in direct opposition to that.
I feel that the phrase I proposed "Low Capacity Rail, sometimes (or change 'sometimes' to 'often')called 'Light Rail' " clarifies that misapprehension without being too cumbersome.
Next, if I may, I'd like to ask about a couple of safety issue scenarios that have occurred to me as I have tried to visualize working PRT systems.
The first scenario involves damage to a guideway support pylon caused by the pylon being struck by a large vehicle like a garbage truck or 18-wheel truck. Have you considered such a scenario? What would be the potential for death or injury to riders? How would harm be minimized?
The second scenario is similar, but involves a foreign object such as a tree branch, etc, falling onto the guideway & presenting a barrier to oncoming cars? Is there any means for the system to detect such obstruction? How would riders be protected from the effects of a collision?
Thanks for your time & consideration of these questions. I have long looked forward to the opportunity to discuss such aspects of system design with someone knowledgeable.
Best Regards.
PS-I have a fair amount of difficulty with the "captcha" here. Not sure why, I'll successfully get to preview & them be told that I failed the entry when
I hit post - other times I will get the error message when I hit preview. |
