Transportation apparatus and methods

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for improved transportation functionality. In one aspect, the invention comprises an improved and highly integrated transportation apparatus adapted to bring a plurality of different modalities in close physical proximity for enhanced efficiency. One exemplary embodiment comprises a multi-level structure disposed in a substantially contained low depth body of water (e.g., bay) and proximate one or more land masses to facilitate service via rail, land vehicle, ships, and ferries. Multiple long-length runways are also provided on the substantially planar top surface to accommodate air traffic. A monorail or similar system is also employed to allow ready movement between the various transportation interfaces.

1 - 28 . (canceled) 
   
   
       29 . Integrated transportation apparatus, comprising:
 a substantially fixed structure disposed within a low-depth bay or harbor proximate to at least one city and at least one military aviation facility;   a plurality of runways disposed on said structure in a substantially parallel disposition, said runways being configured to permit simultaneous take off and landing of aircraft if desired;   a plurality of taxiways associated with said runways; and   at least one passenger terminal or cargo terminal disposed so as to be accessible from at least one of said taxiways;   wherein said structure is disposed at a predetermined orientation with respect to local prevailing winds, said at least one military aviation facility, and at least one local residential area; and   wherein said predetermined orientation is selected to at least (i) mitigate interference with said military aviation facility; and (ii) mitigate noise for said at least one residential area.   
   
   
       30 . The apparatus of  claim 29 , further comprising a tunnel which provides at least one of land vehicle or rail access to said structure, said tunnel being disposed at least partly under water of said bay or harbor. 
   
   
       31 . The apparatus of  claim 29 , wherein said predetermined orientation is such that a longitudinal axis of at least one of said runways is disposed in a substantially Northwest/Southeast orientation. 
   
   
       32 . The apparatus of  claim 29 , wherein said structure is constructed using dredging operations within said low-depth body of water. 
   
   
       33 . The apparatus of  claim 29 , wherein said structure utilizes local waste fill substantially encapsulated therein, said local waste fill being unsuitable for waterborne disposal. 
   
   
       34 . The apparatus of  claim 29 , further comprising a plurality of berms in peripheral regions of the structure to provide at least one of (i) noise mitigation or (ii) aesthetic impact mitigation, said berms being at least partly raised above the level of said plurality of runways. 
   
   
       35 . The apparatus of  claim 29 , wherein said runways each comprise a length of at least 10,000 feet. 
   
   
       36 . The integrated transportation apparatus of  claim 29 , further comprising at least one marine or shipping terminal disposed along a periphery of said apparatus, wherein said at least one marine or shipping terminal is waterborne accessible via said bay or harbor. 
   
   
       37 . The integrated transportation apparatus of  claim 29 , wherein said mitigation of noise for said at least one residential area comprises disposing said runways such that a longitudinal axis of each is not pointed directly at said at least one residential area. 
   
   
       38 . Integrated transportation apparatus, comprising:
 a substantially fixed structure disposed within a low-depth bay or harbor proximate to at least one city, at least one military aviation facility, and at least one residential area;   a plurality of runways disposed on said structure in a substantially parallel disposition;   a plurality of taxiways associated with said runways; and   at least one passenger terminal or cargo terminal disposed so as to be accessible from at least one of said taxiways;   wherein said structure is disposed at a predetermined orientation with respect to said at least one military aviation facility so as to: (i) mitigate aviation-related interference therewith; and (ii) mitigate noise for said at least one residential area so that at least one of said runways can be operated without curfew.   
   
   
       39 . The apparatus of  claim 38 , further comprising a tunnel which provides at least one of land vehicle or rail access to said structure, said tunnel being disposed at least partly under water of said bay or harbor. 
   
   
       40 . The apparatus of  claim 38 , wherein said predetermined orientation is such that a longitudinal axis of at least one of said runways is disposed in a substantially Northwest/Southeast orientation. 
   
   
       41 . The apparatus of  claim 38 , wherein said structure is constructed using dredging operations within said low-depth body of water. 
   
   
       42 . The apparatus of  claim 38 , wherein said structure utilizes local waste fill substantially encapsulated therein, said local waste fill being unsuitable for waterborne disposal. 
   
   
       43 . The apparatus of  claim 38 , further comprising a plurality of berms in peripheral regions of the structure to provide at least one of (i) noise mitigation or (ii) aesthetic impact mitigation, said berms being at least partly raised above the level of said plurality of runways. 
   
   
       44 . The apparatus of  claim 38 , wherein said runways each comprise a length of at least 10,000 feet. 
   
   
       45 . The integrated transportation apparatus of  claim 38 , further comprising at least one marine or shipping terminal disposed along a periphery of said apparatus, wherein said at least one marine or shipping terminal is waterborne accessible via said bay or harbor. 
   
   
       46 . The integrated transportation apparatus of  claim 38 , wherein said mitigation of noise for said at least one residential area comprises disposing said runways such that a longitudinal axis of each is not pointed directly at said at least one residential area. 
   
   
       47 . Integrated transportation apparatus, comprising:
 a substantially fixed multi-level structure disposed within a low-depth bay or harbor proximate to at least one city, at least one military aviation facility, and at least one residential area;   a plurality of runways disposed on said structure in a substantially parallel disposition;   a plurality of taxiways associated with said runways; and   at least one passenger terminal or cargo terminal disposed so as to be accessible from at least one of said taxiways;   wherein said structure is disposed at a predetermined orientation with respect to said at least one military aviation facility so as to: (i) mitigate aviation-related interference therewith; and (ii) mitigate noise for said at least one residential area; and   wherein at least one level of said multilevel structure comprises a hangar level suitable for storage or maintenance of at least some equipment.   
   
   
       48 . The integrated transportation apparatus of  claim 47 , wherein said hangar level is accessible via at least one elevator between said hangar level and a level on which said taxiways are disposed. 
   
   
       49 . The integrated transportation apparatus of  claim 47 , wherein said at least some equipment comprises at least one aircraft. 
   
   
       50 . Integrated transportation apparatus, comprising:
 a substantially fixed structure disposed within a low-depth bay or harbor proximate to at least one city, at least one military aviation facility, and at least one residential area;   a plurality of runways disposed on said structure in a substantially parallel disposition;   a plurality of taxiways associated with said runways; and   at least one passenger terminal or cargo terminal disposed so as to be accessible from at least one of said taxiways;   wherein said structure is disposed at a predetermined orientation with respect to said at least one military aviation facility so as to: (i) mitigate aviation-related interference therewith; and (ii) mitigate noise for said at least one residential area; and   wherein said runways and said structure are disposed such that both ingress and egress of aircraft to and from said apparatus, respectively, are conducted substantially over said bay or harbor.   
   
   
       51 . A method of making an integrated transportation apparatus, the method comprising:
 disposing a substantially fixed structure within a low-depth bay or harbor proximate to at least one city and at least one military aviation facility;   constructing a plurality of runways on said structure in a substantially parallel disposition, said runways being constructed to permit simultaneous take off and landing of aircraft if desired;   constructing a plurality of taxiways associated with said runways; and   constructing at least one passenger terminal or cargo terminal so as to be accessible from at least one of said taxiways;   wherein said act of disposing comprises disposing said structure at a predetermined orientation with respect to local prevailing winds, said at least one military aviation facility, and at least one local residential area, said predetermined orientation being selected to at least (i) mitigate interference with said military aviation facility; and (ii) mitigate noise for said at least one residential area.