Vehicle, Process and Systme for Mass Transporation

Abstract

A mass transportation system deploys dual use vehicles that transfer between a primary track and streets via a secondary or switching track. The dual use vehicles have comparable size and weight to ordinary automobiles but are configured to engage the primary track via either the street tires or a co-axially disposed wheel. When engaging the primary track the vehicles travel clustered in pods or groups for higher speed travel than on ordinary roads. The vehicles transfer from the primary track without a significant change in speed by disengaging or engaging the switching track. The switching track selectively drops or removes single vehicles from the pods according to the position of a track engaging support member associated with each vehicle.

1 . A process for transporting vehicles, the process comprising; 
 a) providing a primary track/roadway for travel at a first speed    b) providing a secondary track/roadway for switching from primary track to the street,    c) wherein each vehicle has its own means or mechanism, that may be coordinated with a means or a mechanism located at the switching area of the primary track/roadway, for disengaging from the primary track to the secondary track (or visa versa) by using a change in elevation to disengage the primary wheels from the primary track while engaging the secondary track via secondary wheels or a secondary mechanism.    
   
   
       2 . A process for transporting vehicles, the process comprising; 
 a) providing a primary track/roadway for travel at a first speed    b) providing a secondary track/roadway for switching from primary track to the street,    c) wherein each vehicle has its own means or mechanism, that may be coordinated with a means or a mechanism located at the switching area of the primary track/roadway, for disengaging from the primary track to the secondary track (or visa versa) by using a change in elevation to shift the primary wheels from the primary track to the secondary track without a significant change in speed, such that a vehicle directly behind the switching vehicle is not significantly slowed in its progress on the primary trace    
   
   
       3 . A vehicle comprising: 
 a) a body for housing at least one of passengers and goods,    b) a front axle for supporting said vehicle body on a road and a first track    c) a rear axle for supporting said vehicle body on a road and on a first track,    d) at least one wheel on each of front and rear axle for propelling said vehicle, along at least one of a road and the first track,    e) a motor for driving engaged to rotate at least one of said front and rear axle of the vehicle,    i) at least one supporting axle and wheel for supporting said body on a second track when said vehicle is not supported by said front and rear axle.    
   
   
       4 . A vehicle according to  claim 3  wherein at least one of the front and rear axle have two wheels.  
   
   
       5 . A vehicle according to  claim 4  wherein each of the front and rear axle have two wheel  
   
   
       6 . A vehicle according to  claim 4  further comprising a second supporting axle and wheel for supporting said body on a second track when said vehicle is not supported by said front and rear axle.  
   
   
       7 . A vehicle according to  claim 6  wherein each of said first and second supporting axle further comprises two wheel situated at opposing ends thereof  
   
   
       8 . A vehicle according to  claim 6  wherein at least one of said first and second supporting axle is co-axial with respect to at least one of said front and rear axle and operative to extend outward therefrom  
   
   
       9 . A vehicle according to  claim 3  further comprising a motor for driving said supporting axle.  
   
   
       10 . A vehicle according to  claim 3  further comprising a transmission for coupling said motor to drive said supporting axle.  
   
   
       11 . A vehicle according to  claim 3  wherein said supporting axle is mounted at the top of said body.  
   
   
       12 . A vehicle according to  claim 3  wherein said supporting axle is mounted and operative to extend from the side of said body to engage a second track and support said body when said vehicle is not supported by said front and rear axle.