Intelligent transportation system and method

Abstract

Described is a transportation system apparatus and method of operation. An exemplary transportation system includes an elevated track and a vehicle coupled with and operable to traverse the elevated track. In certain aspects, the vehicle comprises a novel chassis configured and arranged for safely navigating banked turns. In certain embodiments, a front wheel assembly having a pivot with an axle arm moves in three dimensions and allows for side to side and banking, and in other embodiments, a rear wheel assembly moves in two dimensions and comprises a rear differential. In another embodiment, a circuit board controls the vehicles wirelessly, and receives GPS information and redundant position information.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A transportation system for driverless vehicles, comprising:
 an elevated track comprising two track members disposed in parallel, and a plurality of cross members transversely disposed and coupled between said at least two track members;   a driverless vehicle operatively coupled with said two track members and operable to traverse said elevated track;   a plurality of banked turns, each banked turn having a designed speed associated with its radius of curvature;   said driverless vehicle having a front wheel assembly having a plurality of top wheels configured to ride on associated track members, a plurality of bottom safety wheels configured to ride below said associated track members to account for vehicle speed and banked turn conditions, and a plurality of outer side wheels configured to position said front wheel assembly passively for banked turns; and   said driverless vehicle having a rear wheel assembly with a rear differential to accommodate changes in track member spacing in banked turns;   wherein said front wheel assembly and said rear wheel assembly are rigidly connected.   
     
     
         2 . The transportation system according to  claim 1 , wherein said rear wheel assembly further comprises a plurality of top wheels configured to ride on associated track members. 
     
     
         3 . The transportation system according to  claim 2 , wherein said rear wheel assembly comprises a left-side wheel set having top wheels, bottom safety wheels and outer side wheels and a right-side wheel set having top wheels, bottom safety wheels and outer side wheels, wherein said left-side wheel set and said right-side wheel set rotate together during operation of said driverless vehicle. 
     
     
         4 . The transportation system according to  claim 1 , wherein said rear wheel assembly is configured for movement in only two dimensions. 
     
     
         5 . The transportation system according to  claim 1 , wherein said rear wheel assembly further comprises a rear axle and a rotatable motor assembly, wherein said rear differential, rear axle and rotatable motor assembly rotate as a unit about a central axis point. 
     
     
         6 . The transportation system according to  claim 1 , wherein said front wheel assembly comprises a rotational bearing and a combined pivot with an axle arm to accommodate operation of said driverless vehicle through said banked turns. 
     
     
         7 . The transportation system according to  claim 1 , wherein said front wheel assembly comprises a pivot with axle arm configured for movement of the front wheel assembly in three dimensions. 
     
     
         8 . The transportation system according to  claim 1 , wherein said front wheel assembly comprises a bearing set which provides for up and down movement of said driverless vehicle. 
     
     
         9 . A method of operating a transportation system with an elevated track having parallel track members and banked turns, comprising:
 providing a first driverless electric vehicle with an electric motor, operatively coupled with an elevated track having two track members disposed in parallel, said first driverless electric vehicle operable to traverse said elevated track;   providing a second driverless electric vehicle with an electric motor, operatively coupled with said parallel track members, said second driverless electric vehicle operable to traverse said elevated track;   providing a command center for monitoring and tracking performance of said first and second driverless electric vehicles, said command center comprising a control board and operable to track and control the speed of said first and second driverless electric vehicles;   providing first and second on-board computers mounted in each of said first and second driverless electric vehicles, operable to determine vehicle velocity and position and to transmit and process signals to and from said control board;   wherein said control board comprises a CAN bus interface for communicating with said electric motors, and a wireless communication module for wireless communication between said command center and said on-board computers.   
     
     
         10 . A method of operating the transportation system according to  claim 9 , further comprising:
 providing a plurality of banked turns, each banked turn having a designed speed associated with its radius of curvature;   wherein said control board wirelessly adjusts electric motor torque and speed prior to entry of associated driverless vehicles into banked turns, based upon characteristics of said banked turns.   
     
     
         11 . A method of operating the transportation system according to  claim 9 , wherein said control board further comprises a radar module interface for providing power to and communication with said driverless electric vehicles. 
     
     
         12 . A method of operating the transportation system according to  claim 9 , wherein said control board further comprises an accelerometer for providing redundant vehicle position data to said command center. 
     
     
         13 . A method of operating the transportation system according to  claim 9 , wherein said electric motors are rotatable such that said rotatable motor and an associated rear differential rotate as a unit about a central axis point to accommodate banked turns. 
     
     
         14 . A method of operating the transportation system according to  claim 9 , further comprising:
 providing real-time predictive maintenance whereby said on-board computers monitor vehicle energy usage and compare said actual energy usage with expected values.   
     
     
         15 . A method of operating the transportation system according to  claim 9 , further comprising:
 providing real-time predictive maintenance whereby said on-board computers monitor vehicle powertrain characteristics and transit said information to said control board for command center processing.   
     
     
         16 . A method of operating the transportation system according to  claim 9 , further comprising:
 providing redundant vehicle position information through sensors located on said track members, vehicle mounted GPS sensors, and sensors of other vehicles.