Transportation Pathway Elevation Separator

Abstract

A modular system for constructing an elevated pathway includes a first pathway segment comprising a first elevated platform portion; first edge supports to bare a load of the first elevated platform portion, wherein the first edge supports contact a ground surface and create a grade separation between the ground surface and a bottom side of the first elevated platform portion; and a first joint. The modular system also includes a second pathway segment comprising: a second elevated platform portion; second edge supports to bare a load of the second elevated platform portion, wherein the second edge supports contact the ground surface and create a grade separation between the ground surface and a bottom side of the second elevated platform portion; and a second joint to attach to the first joint to limit a motion of the second pathway segment relative to the first pathway segment.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A modular system for constructing an elevated pathway, the modular system comprising:
 a pathway segment comprising:
 an elevated platform portion; 
 first edge supports configured to bare a load of the elevated platform portion, wherein the first edge supports are configured to contact a ground surface and to create a grade separation between the ground surface and a bottom side of the elevated platform portion; and 
 a first joint; and 
   a ramp segment comprising:
 a sloped platform portion; 
 second edge supports configured to bare a load of the sloped platform portion; and 
 a second joint configured to attach to the first joint to limit a motion of the ramp segment relative to the pathway segment. 
   
     
     
         2 . The modular system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second pathway segment comprising:
 a second elevated platform portion; 
 third edge supports configured to bare a load of the second elevated platform portion, wherein the second edge supports are configured to contact the ground surface and to create a grade separation between the ground surface and a bottom side of the second elevated platform portion; and 
 a third joint; and 
   a second ramp segment comprising:
 a second sloped platform portion; 
 fourth edge supports configured to bare a load of the second sloped platform portion; and 
 a fourth joint configured to attach to the third joint to limit a motion of the second ramp segment relative to the second pathway segment. 
   
     
     
         3 . The modular system of  claim 2 , wherein the pathway segment comprises a fifth joint and the second pathway segment comprises a sixth joint, wherein the fifth joint is configured to attach to the sixth joint to limit a motion of the pathway segment relative to the second pathway segment. 
     
     
         4 . The modular system of  claim 3 , wherein a top surface of the elevated platform portion and a top surface of the second elevated platform portion form a contiguous pathway that follows a vertical profile grade of the ground surface when the fifth joint is connected to the sixth joint. 
     
     
         5 . The modular system of  claim 2 , wherein a top surface of the elevated platform portion, a top surface of the second elevated platform portion, a top surface of the sloped platform portion, and a top surface of the second sloped platform portion are configured to form a contiguous pathway when the ramp segment, the pathway segment, the second pathway segment, and the second ramp segment are connected. 
     
     
         6 . The modular system of  claim 5 , wherein the contiguous pathway comprises a pedestrian pathway. 
     
     
         7 . The modular system of  claim 2 , wherein a first side of the second pathway segment is longer than a second side of the second pathway segment, such that a top surface of the elevated platform portion and a top surface of the second elevated platform portion form a non-straight, contiguous pathway when the pathway segment and the second pathway segment are connected. 
     
     
         8 . The modular system of  claim 2 , wherein at least a portion of a bottom surface of the sloped platform portion is configured to contact a pavement surface. 
     
     
         9 . The modular system of  claim 8 , wherein at least a portion of a bottom surface of the second sloped platform portion is configured to contact the pavement surface. 
     
     
         10 . The modular system of  claim 1 , wherein the first edge supports includes at least one aperture configured to permit air flow between the ground surface and a bottom side of the elevated platform portion. 
     
     
         11 . The modular system of  claim 1 , wherein the pathway segment further comprises an anchor hole configured to receive an anchor to fix the pathway segment to the ground surface. 
     
     
         12 . The modular system of  claim 1 , wherein the first joint comprises a male joint and the second joint comprises a female joint. 
     
     
         13 . The modular system of  claim 12 , wherein the male joint and the female joint are configured to permit vertical deflection relative to the ground surface, while maintaining a restriction of relative vertical movement between the pathway segment and the ramp segment. 
     
     
         14 . The modular system of  claim 12 , wherein the male joint and the female joint are configured to permit horizontal deflection relative to the ground surface. 
     
     
         15 . The modular system of  claim 1 , wherein a first edge support of the first edge supports is configured to receive a first guiderail and a second edge support of the first edge supports is configured to receive a second guiderail. 
     
     
         16 . The modular system of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more screws to anchor one or both of the pathway segment or the ramp segment. 
     
     
         17 . A modular system for constructing an elevated pathway, the modular system comprising:
 at least two pathway segments comprising one pathway segment configured to be assembled end to end with at least one adjacent pathway segment, each of the at least two pathway segments comprising:
 a traffic module including a top side surface and a bottom side surface, 
 wherein at least one longitudinal end of each traffic module includes an attachment mechanism configured to engage an attachment mechanism of an adjacent traffic module; 
 at least one side edge support, including a generally horizontal or inclined support surface configured to receive a respective lateral side of a respective traffic module; and 
 wherein the generally horizontal or inclined support surface positions at least a portion of a respective traffic module above a ground surface, thereby forming a pedestrian pathway above the ground surface. 
   
     
     
         18 . The modular system of  claim 17 , wherein the at least one side edge support includes at least one aperture configured to permit air flow between the ground surface and the bottom side surface of the traffic module. 
     
     
         19 . The modular system of  claim 17 , each pathway segment further comprising second edge supports configured to straddle a structure under the bottom side surface of the pathway segment. 
     
     
         20 . The modular system of  claim 17 , each pathway segment further comprising a ground anchor.