Abstract:
A transportation system includes a vehicle having wings, a propulsion system, a lifting gear coupling the vehicle to an undercarriage, and a guidance assembly movably connecting the undercarriage to guide rails. The wings generate aerodynamic lift when the vehicle exceeds a first speed. The lifting gear supports a load of the vehicle in a first position in relation to the undercarriage when the vehicle travels at less than the first speed, allows the vehicle to lift to a second position in relation to the undercarriage as the vehicle accelerates beyond the first speed, and maintains the vehicle in the second position when the vehicle exceeds the first speed. The guidance assembly shiftingly engages the guide rails through rollers that are in rolling contact with the guide rails when the vehicle is in the first position and are displaced from the guide rails when the vehicle is in the second position.

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/213,540, filed on Jun. 18, 2009. The disclosure of the above-referenced application is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to transportation systems, and, more particularly, to transportation systems providing vehicles that attain aerodynamically airborne flight and achieve high-speeds while being guided along a path of travel provided by a guide rail structure. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art. 
     Transportation of people and cargo has become increasingly important in our modern lives. In the United States, the typical modes of travel between cities include air, bus, personal automobile, and, to a somewhat more limited extent, conventional rail. Following World War II, the U.S., in contrast to Europe and Japan, which invested more heavily in rebuilding railways and other forms of mass transportation after the war, emphasis was directed to building airports and a national interstate highway system. 
     More recently, however, as energy costs continue to increase, the use of rail transportation has been increasing throughout the U.S. Nevertheless, the conventional forms of mass transportation are generally reliant on oil-based fuels. For example, buses are primarily powered by internal combustion engines that use gasoline or diesel, and conventional trains that cover long distances also operate through consumption of petroleum-based fuels. Moreover, these conventional forms of mass transportation are inherently limited in speed by their designs and fundamental methods operation. 
     As a result, attention is now being directed to energy-efficient forms of high-speed rail transportation, which is a term used to describe passenger rail transport that operates significantly faster than the normal speed of rail traffic (for example, 140 mph or higher), as an alternative to conventional modes of transportation. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The shortcomings of the prior art can be overcome and additional advantages can be provided through exemplary embodiments of the present invention that are related to a transportation system that includes a vehicle body having a set of wings extending outward therefrom, a propulsion system, an elongated guide rail structure forming a path of travel, an undercarriage disposed beneath the vehicle body, a lifting gear mechanism coupling the vehicle body to the undercarriage, and a guidance assembly movably connecting the undercarriage to the guide rail structure. The set of wings are adapted to generate aerodynamic lift on the vehicle body when a traveling speed of the vehicle body exceeds a first speed. The propulsion system is configured to propel to vehicle body to accelerate the traveling speed of the vehicle body from less than the first speed to a second speed that exceeds the first speed. The lifting gear mechanism is configured to support a load of the vehicle body in a first position in relation to the undercarriage when the traveling speed of the vehicle body is less than the first speed, to allow the vehicle body to lift from the first position to a second position in relation to the undercarriage as the traveling speed of the vehicle body accelerates from less than the first speed to the second speed, and to maintain the vehicle body in the second position when the traveling speed of the vehicle body is greater than or equal to the second speed. The guidance assembly comprises a set of rollers and a set of guiding supports configured to shiftingly engage the guide rail structure such that the set of rollers are in rolling contact with the guide rail structure to guide movement of the undercarriage along the path of travel when the vehicle body is traveling in the first position in relation to the undercarriage, the set or rollers are displaced from the guide rail structure when the vehicle body is traveling in the second position in relation to the undercarriage, and the guiding supports guide movement of the undercarriage along the path of travel when the vehicle body is traveling in the second position in relation to the undercarriage. 
     Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present invention. Other embodiments and aspects of the invention are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed invention. For a better understanding of the invention with advantages and features, refer to the description and to the drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The subject matter that is regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of a transportation system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of the exemplary transportation system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a side view illustrating a guide rail structure and an undercarriage structure of the exemplary transportation system of  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a front view illustrating a vehicle of the exemplary transportation system of  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
         FIGS. 5A and 5B  illustrate an exemplary guide rail structure; 
         FIGS. 6A-6D  are various views illustrating an exemplary undercarriage structure and an exemplary guidance assembly; 
         FIGS. 7A and 7B  illustrate an exemplary lifting gear mechanism; and 
         FIGS. 8A and 8B  illustrate an exemplary power-pickup system. 
     
    
    
     The detailed description explains exemplary embodiments of the present invention, together with advantages and features, by way of example with reference to the drawings. Any flow diagrams depicted herein are just examples. There may be many variations to these diagrams or steps (or operations) described therein without departing from the spirit of the invention. For instance, steps may be performed in a differing order, or steps may be added, deleted, or modified. All of these variations are considered a part of the claimed invention. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the description of exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the drawings. It is of course to be understood that the embodiments described herein are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed in relation to the exemplary embodiments described herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriate form. For purposes of clarity, the same reference numbers will be used in the drawings to identify similar elements. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting but rather to provide an understandable description of the invention. 
     Exemplary embodiments of the present invention may be implemented to provide a high-speed rail transport system that can be utilized for transportation of people and/or cargo, may be powered by a propulsion system that does not comprise an internal combustion engine, and includes aerodynamic features to achieve speeds that are typically attributed to modern commercial aircraft such as, for example, up to and greater than 150 miles per hour. More particular, exemplary embodiments can be implemented to provide a high-speed rail transport system that incorporates a winged vehicle having an aerodynamic body structure, which may resemble, for example, an airplane, that is movably coupled to a dual rail track. During operation, the vehicle rolls along the dual rail track at low speeds and, as the vehicle accelerates along the dual rail track, the winged, aerodynamic body shape of the vehicle allows the vehicle to lift sufficiently up off the track and attain aerodynamically airborne flight guided along the rail. Thus, exemplary embodiments can be implemented to provide a vehicle that is guided by a dual rail track and configured to ride along an air cushion such that frictional resistance to forward motion of the vehicle along the track that results from interaction with the track is reduced to a negligible amount, thereby allowing the vehicle to achieve and travel at high speeds. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1-3 , an exemplary embodiment of a high-speed rail transport system  100  in accordance with the present invention is illustrated. Exemplary transport system  100  generally includes a winged aircraft-like vehicle  110  that is disposed above and configured to travel along a guide rail structure or track  130  via an undercarriage structure  140 . As will be explained in greater detail below, vehicle  110  is coupled to undercarriage structure  140  via a lifting gear mechanism  170 , and the undercarriage structure is further movably connected to guide rail structure  130  to thereby facilitate guided movement of the vehicle along the guide rail structure. 
     In exemplary embodiments, an elongated or tubular main body  112  of vehicle  110  can be constructed from, for example, light weight metal or fiberglass material. Body  112  can provide an internal cabin area (not shown) for passengers and/or cargo. The cabin area can comprise, for example, seating arrangements for passengers constructed using light-weight woods, plastics, fabrics, and cushioning materials. Body  112  can be provided with a suitable number of appropriately located windows and doors, as well as an internal cockpit area at a tapered front end  119  for accommodating one or more operators. The cockpit area may also be provided with a suitable front window that allows for an unobstructed view therefrom. In various embodiments, the shape of body  112  can be of a design to accommodate a variety of capacity ranges and transport applications. 
     With further reference to  FIG. 4 , vehicle  110  of exemplary transport system  100  includes a pair of side wings  114  laterally projecting from opposing sides of body  112  proximate to front end  119 , a pair of tail wings  116  laterally projecting from opposing sides of body  112  proximate to a rear end  120  of the body, and a stabilizer  118  projecting vertically from rear end  120  of the body. In exemplary embodiments, side wings  114  can be shorter than those of conventional aircraft. For example, side wings may be 6 to 10 feet in length. Vehicle  110  further includes a pair of engines  122  disposed at opposing sides of body  112  at rear end  120 , and a set of legs  124  extending from a base  126  of the body. In exemplary embodiments, engines  122  can each further comprise a set of propellers  123 . As can be seen by viewing  FIG. 1  in conjunction with  FIG. 4 , legs  124  of vehicle body  110  comprise a pair of opposing front legs and a pair of opposing rear legs, and each leg has a respective lifting gear roller  172  extending from an end  128  thereof. The operation of lifting gear rollers  172  will be explained in greater detail below. 
     In exemplary transport system  100 , guide rail structure  130  can be arranged to define a route of travel along a desired course at an elevated height for transport of passengers and/or cargo. With further reference to  FIGS. 5A and 5B , guide rail structure  130  includes a pair of guide rails  132   a ,  132   b , which are elevated and supported by a plurality of support posts  136 . More particularly, a pair of support beams  134   a ,  134   b  is mounted on top of each support post  136 , and the support beams extend oppositely from the support post and to respectively support guide rails  132   a ,  132   b.    
     Guide rails  132   a ,  132   b  can be made of, for example, a hard and strong metal such as steel. Guide rails  132   a ,  132   b  may comprise, for example, a number of steel tubes that are welded end-to-end in a manner that accounts for thermal expansion and contraction. In this manner, guide rails  132   a ,  132   b  can be arranged as a substantially continuous dual rail guide track that provides a desired path of travel for vehicle  110 . Guide rail structure  130  can provided with banked turns having curvatures that are not too abrupt and can be suitably handled by vehicle  110 . Guide rails  132   a ,  132   b  may also be weather resistant so as to prevent collection of elements such as snow, rain, and ice on the active surfaces thereof. 
     Support posts  136  can positioned periodically along existing roadways and extend vertically from, for example, a cement barrier, to elevate and hold guide rails  132   a ,  132   b  well above existing highway traffic. Support posts  136  may be made of, for example, steel, reinforced concrete, and/or any other suitable structural materials. In exemplary embodiments, the spacing of support posts  136 , as well the length of body  112 , may be adjusted based on travel speed, load capacity, and other requirements. Additionally, the respective heights of support posts  136  may be varied in accordance with the topography of the land over which transport system  100  is installed to provide for a more level and smooth travel path of vehicle  100 . 
     With further reference to  FIGS. 6A-6D , undercarriage structure  140  of exemplary transport system  100  includes a deck  142  extending between a pair of opposing, longitudinally extending pontoons  144   a ,  144   b . A plurality of shocks  146  are partially disposed within respective recesses  148  and project from a top surface  150  of each pontoon  144   a ,  144   b  into a space between body  112  and undercarriage structure  140 . Shocks  146  may be spring-loaded within respective recesses  148  at varying heights and configured to recess evenly into undercarriage  140  under a sufficiently large force of gravity from a weight of vehicle  110  on the undercarriage. In alternative exemplary embodiments, any suitable shock absorbing mechanisms may be employed. 
     A respective pair of lifting gear keepers  180  also extends from the top surface of each pontoon  144   a ,  144   b . The lifting gear keepers of each pontoon are respectively aligned with the front and rear legs of a corresponding side of vehicle body  110  and, as will be explained in greater detail below, configured to receive and contain the lifting gear roller  172  of the corresponding leg therein. Undercarriage structure  140  further includes a plurality of braces  152  each connected at one end to a corresponding one of pontoons  144   a ,  144   b  and connected at an opposing end to a corresponding one of lifting gear keepers  180  of the pontoon to provide support for the corresponding lifting gear keeper. 
     Pontoons  144   a ,  144   b  are configured to movably connect to and travel along guide rails  132   a ,  132   b  respectively via a plurality of running guide assemblies  154 . As illustrated in  FIG. 6A , each running guide assembly  154  of undercarriage structure  140  includes a pair of guiding wheel supports  156   a ,  156   b  and a pair of running gear rollers or wheels  158   a ,  158   b  respectively mounted on and extending from opposing inside surfaces  166   a ,  166   b  of pontoons  144   a ,  144   b . Running guide assemblies  154  are configured such that guide wheel keepers  156   a  and running gear wheels  158   a  extending from pontoon  144   a  oppose corresponding guiding wheel supports  156   b  and running gear wheels  158   b  extending from pontoon  144   b . Pontoons  144   a ,  144   b  are connected to respective guide rails  132   a ,  132   b  via running guide assemblies  154  with guiding wheel supports  156   a ,  156   b  respectively disposed beneath guide rails  132   a ,  132   b  and running gear wheels  158   a ,  158   b  respectively disposed above guide rails  132   a ,  132   b . Guiding wheel supports  156   a ,  156   b  running gear wheels  158   a ,  158   b  may be made from, for example, a hard rubber material such as polyurethane. 
     For each running guide assembly  154 , running gear wheels  158   a ,  158   b  of the opposing pontoons of undercarriage structure  140  are connected to one another via a rigid axle  160  on which both running gear wheels are configured to revolve in unison. Each axle  160  extends perpendicularly to pontoons  144   a ,  144   b  and is connected to deck  142  of undercarriage structure  140  via axle staffs  162  that extend from and are fixed in place on the axle by bearings  164 . As will be explained in greater detail, running guide assemblies  154  are shiftingly engaged to guide rails  132   a ,  132   b  to thereby guide movement of vehicle  110  along the path of travel formed by guide rails by allowing running gear wheels  158   a ,  158   b  to roll on an upper surface of the guide rails until vehicle  110  reaches a sufficient speed, at which point side wings  114  provide an aerodynamic lifting force on the vehicle that overcomes the force of gravity (from the weight of the vehicle on guide rail structure  130 ) to thereby displace the running gear wheels from the guide wheels and enable high-speed, airborne flight of the vehicle guided along the guide rails by free-wheeling guiding wheel supports  156   a ,  156   b . During such high-speed, airborne flight of vehicle  110 , guiding wheel supports  156   a ,  156   b  prevent derailing of vehicle  110  and undercarriage structure  140  from guide rails  132   a ,  132   b  by traversing along a bottom surface of the guide rails. 
     Lifting gear mechanism  170  of exemplary transport system  100  comprises lifting gear rollers  172  of vehicle body  110  and lifting gear keepers  180  of undercarriage structure  130 . As noted above, the lifting gear keepers extending from each pontoon  144   a ,  144   b  are respectively aligned with the front and rear legs of a corresponding side of vehicle body  110  and configured to receive and contain lifting gear roller  172  of the corresponding leg therein. 
     More particularly, as illustrated  FIG. 7A , each lifting gear keeper  180  of undercarriage structure  140  is formed with a vertically-extending recess  182  at an upper section thereof. Recess  182  is shaped and configured to receive and contain lifting gear roller  172  that extends from the corresponding leg of vehicle body  110  therein. As illustrated in  FIG. 7B , lifting gear roller  172  extends from end  128  of leg  124  via a shaft  174  that projects out from an internal sleeve  176  formed within the leg that is configured to receive one end of the shaft therein, and lifting gear keeper  180  is further formed with an opening to recess  182  in a receiving side  186  that is configured to receive the opposing end of the shaft therein. While the opening is formed sufficiently wide such that shaft  174  can pass therethrough, lifting gear keeper  180  is further formed with opposing flanges  188  on receiving side  186  that retain lifting gear roller  172 , which is wider than the shaft, within recess  182 . 
     As noted above, lifting gear mechanism  170  couples vehicle  110  to undercarriage structure  140 , and the undercarriage is configured to enable the vehicle to travel along the path of guide rail structure  130  via running gear wheels  158   a ,  158   b  rolling on guide rails  132   a ,  132   b  until the vehicle reaches a sufficient speed, at which point side wings  114  provide an aerodynamic lifting force to thereby enable high-speed, airborne flight of the vehicle guided along the guide rails. This guided airborne traveling of vehicle  100  is facilitated by operation of lifting gear mechanism  170 . In particular, as illustrated in FIG.  7 A, each lifting gear keeper  180  is formed to permit the corresponding lifting gear roller to roll generally longitudinally away from and toward undercarriage  140  within recess  182 . When vehicle  110  is at rest or traveling at low speeds (for example, less than 50 miles per hour), the weight of the vehicle is supported by undercarriage  140  via lifting gear keepers  180 , with each lifting gear roller  172  being retained within recess  182  of the corresponding lifting gear keeper by a floor  187 . As vehicle  110  accelerates to a point at which side wings  114  provide an aerodynamic lifting force on the vehicle, however, each lifting gear roller  172  will lift or roll up within recess  182  of the corresponding lifting gear keeper until reaching a point at which the lifting gear roller is retained within the recess against a ceiling  188 . At this point, the weight of undercarriage  140  will comprise essentially all of the weight on guide rails  132   a ,  132   b . When vehicle  110  returns to a lower speed after achieving airborne flight, each lifting gear roller  172  will drop or roll down within recess  182  of the corresponding lifting gear keeper until reaching a point at which the lifting gear roller is again retained within the recess against floor  187 . 
     In exemplary embodiments, as illustrated in  FIG. 7A , each lifting gear keeper  180  can be slightly inclined or sloped away from a center of the undercarriage with respect to the top surface of the corresponding pontoon to provide a smoother transition to airborne flight for the vehicle. In an alternative embodiment, each lifting gear keeper  180  may extend perpendicularly from the top surface of the corresponding pontoon and have a recess that is formed to slightly incline or slope away from a center of the undercarriage with the lifting gear keeper. Moreover, to further increase stability, shaft  174  of each lifting gear roller  172  can be spring loaded within sleeve  176  of the corresponding leg of vehicle  110  such that a tension spring operates to push the lifting gear roller forward as the lifting gear roller lifts up within recess  182  of the corresponding lifting gear, thereby resulting in the lifting gear roller rolling upward along an interior surface  189  of the recess as the vehicle becomes airborne. 
     Exemplary transport system can be provided with any suitable propulsion system that causes vehicle  110  to traverse and accelerate along guide rail structure  130 . For example, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , vehicle  110  can be provided a pair of engines  122  disposed on opposing sides of body  112 . Engines  122  may comprise, for example, a pair of high-bypass turbo fan engines, electric motor-driven ducted propellers, or any other suitable type of electric motor. In some embodiments, vehicle  110  can be further propelled along guide rail structure  130 , at low speeds, by electric drive units driving running gear wheels  158 . In other embodiments, running gear wheels  158  can be free-wheeling units. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 5A , electrical power for engines  122 , the drive units for running gear wheels  158 , and other electrically operated devices may be provided by conductor wires  190  that are mounted to guide rail structure  130  to extend along a center of the path formed by guide rails  132   a ,  132   b . Conductor wires  190  can provide a similar function to that of a conventional trolley wire, and, as illustrated in  FIGS. 8A and 8B , a second conductor wire  192  leading from a suitable power source on the vehicle  110  can connect with conductor wires  190  via a wheel  194  to enable power pickup by the vehicle from the conductor wires  190 . The conductor  108  is engaged by a spring loaded electrical contact  112  carried on the aircraft  10  and insulated by a suitable insulator  114 . Suitable wiring (not shown) extends from the contact  112  to the drive units  106  and other electrically operated devices within the aircraft. As shown in  FIG. 8A , conductor wire  192  can extend in various directions from an axis of wheel  194  to accommodate both airborne and rolling travel of the aircraft while maintaining electrical contact with conductor wires  190 . Such a system can implemented to provide for continuous supply of electric power from guide rail structure  130  to vehicle  110  and eliminate a need for time-consuming fuel stops. 
     Of course, it should be understood that, in alternative exemplary embodiments, transport system  100  may employ any other suitable power supply systems for vehicle  110 , such as, for example, magnetic propulsion, gasoline-powered or hybrid gasoline/electric-powered engines, banks of storage batteries, and onboard power generation for developing thrust such as jet-propelled or propeller driven motive force generators. Transport system  100  may further be implemented to employ multiple types of power supply systems for powering different functions of vehicle  110 . For example, propulsion of vehicle  110  may be powered by electricity picked up from guide rail structure  130  as described above, while a diesel or other power driven generator can be mounted within the vehicle to supply electrical power for onboard vehicle services such as lighting, heating, air conditioning, galley services, ventilation, and the like. The generator can be supplied with energy from a suitable source, such as fuel from an on-board fuel tank. 
     In operation, exemplary transport system  100  may be used to transport passengers and/or cargo between stations or terminals located along guide rail structure  130 . After the passengers and/or cargo have been loaded into vehicle  110 , the propulsion system can be activated to propel the vehicle along guide rail structure  130  in a low-speed mode of operation in which running gear wheels  158  roll in a forward along the upper surfaces of guide rails  132   a ,  132   b . As vehicle  110  is accelerated along guide rail structure  130  to approach flying speed, the aerodynamic capabilities of the vehicle will then provide sufficient lift to lift the vehicle such that lifting gear rollers  172  lift or roll up within recesses  182  of corresponding lifting gear keepers  180  until reaching a point at which the lifting gear rollers are retained within the recesses by ceilings  188 . 
     At this point, a high-sped mode of operation is achieved at which running gear wheels  158  will be displaced from guide rails  132   a ,  132   b  as a result of the lifting force of the vehicle acting on undercarriage structure  140  via lifting gear assembly  170  so that undue friction between the running gear wheels and the guide rails can be avoided. During this high-speed mode of operation, the weight of undercarriage  140  will comprise essentially all of the weight on guide rails  132   a ,  132   b , and guiding wheel supports  156   a ,  156   b  operate in conjunction with the lower surfaces of the guide rails to maintain vehicle  110  in the appropriate position along the path formed by guide rail structure  130 . In exemplary embodiments, the profiles of wings  114 ,  116  can be configured according to a desired lift of vehicle  110  to minimize friction between guiding wheel supports  156   a ,  156   b  and guide rails  132   a ,  132   b . Moreover, transport system  100  can be implemented to allow for the speed of vehicle  110  to be manually or automatically adjusted such that and to maintain a desirable offset between the force and gravity from the weight of the vehicle and the lifting force obtained. 
     Prior to the approach of vehicle  110  to another station or terminal, the speed is reduced to less than that necessary to maintain airborne flight, and lifting gear rollers  172  will drop or roll down within recesses  182  of corresponding lifting gear keepers  180  until reaching a point at which the lifting gear rollers are again held within recesses at floors  187 . Vehicle  110  can thereafter be propelled in the low speed mode to the station or terminal, at which point the vehicle is stopped for unloading and/or loading of passengers and/or cargo. Running gear wheels  158  remain in a position to come into contact with guide rails  132   a ,  132   b  whenever vehicle  110  loses flying speed and, as illustrated in  FIG. 6A , can be mounted to pontoons  144   a ,  144   b  via flanges  168  that operate to aid in centering undercarriage  140  on guide rail structure  130  in the low speed mode of operation. Vehicle  110  and/or other aspects of transport system  100  may be implemented with any suitable braking mechanisms for slowing or stopping the progress of the vehicle along guide rail structure  130 . 
     As described above with reference to  FIGS. 6A-6D , undercarriage structure  140  of exemplary transport system  100  can include a plurality of shocks  146  are partially disposed within respective recesses  148  and extend from top surface  150  of each pontoon  144   a ,  144   b . Shocks  146  can operate to dampen shock forces acting on vehicle  110  when the vehicle loses flying speed or when bumpy weather is encountered in the high-speed mode of operation. Shocks  146  may be spring-loaded within respective recesses  148  at varying heights and configured to recess evenly into undercarriage  140  under a sufficiently large force of gravity from a weight of vehicle  110  on the undercarriage to provide stability and shock absorbing capability. 
     In exemplary embodiments, transport system  100  can be implemented such that the path of travel formed by guide rail structure  130  follows along already existing major interstate highway systems. As discussed above, support posts  136  would be positioned periodically along the existing highway systems to elevate and hold guide rails  132   a ,  132   b  well above existing highway traffic. In this manner, the cost of providing right-of-ways for implementing transport system  100  can be absorbed by adapting the transport system to the already existing right-of-ways along the highway system. Thus, installation cost can be kept low because right-of-way cost has already been expensed and the guide rail structure can primarily be made from low construction-cost materials. Furthermore, maintenance costs can also be kept low because airborne, low-friction travel at high speeds can substantially reduce wear and tear of both the vehicle and the guide rail structure by minimizing physical contact therebetween. 
     In exemplary embodiments, transport system  100  can be implemented such that stations or terminals located along guide rail structure  130  are provided with control stations through which operation of vehicles traveling along the guide rail structure can be monitored and controlled. For example, a control station at a terminal can be implemented to utilize a power grid system to determine and control whether a vehicle will stop at the terminal or continue traveling through the terminal without stopping, for example, in a situation where no local traffic is present to be serviced. In exemplary embodiments, such stations or terminals may also be provided with crossover tracks to allow for a control station to provide for interchanging of vehicle routes along various travel paths formed by different guide rail structures intersecting at the terminal. In exemplary embodiments, such stations or terminals can be elevated above existing roadways. 
     Additionally, in exemplary embodiments, transport system  100  may be implemented with guide rail structures allowing two different vehicles to travel on different tracks in opposite directions. In embodiments implemented with such a two track system, the guide rails can be located side by side (in which case, stations or terminals located that are located along the two-track guide rail structure can be provided on both sides of the guide rail structure) or one above the other and supported by an appropriately adapted guide rail structure in a manner similar to what has been shown and described herein. 
     While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions, and alternations could be made thereto without departing from spirit and scope of the inventions as defined by the appended claims. Variations described for exemplary embodiments of the present invention can be realized in any combination desirable for each particular application. Thus particular limitations, and/or embodiment enhancements described herein, which may have particular advantages to a particular application, need not be used for all applications. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.