Skybus Technology
Skybus
Technology
The Sky Bus technology offered by Konkan Railway
Corporation meets the above requirements, and re-defines the thinking and
planning for urban transport being an Eco-friendly Mass urban transport system
revolutionizing urban life. It is a patented technology developed for the new
millennium and will cause a paradigm shift in urban transportation all over the
world. Being an indigenous technology, it will place India on the forefront of
the Rapid Transit Industry all over the world while providing the much needed
alternative transportation solution, which is financially viable, environment
friendly, synergizing well proven existing cutting edge technologies.
Sky Bus is based on the concept of Sky Wheels presented in 1989 at the World
Congress for Railway Research by Mr. B Rajaram, Managing Director of KRCL at
Bologna University, Italy. The sky bus uses pre - fabricated latest
construction technologies, which save time and money resulting in easy
execution of the project in busy urban areas without disturbing the existing
traffic pattern. All these structural engineering methods are well - proven.
They have IT tools for economical communication and control. The 3 phase
asynchronous AC electrical motor used for the propulsion of sky buses is also
well proven and widely used abroad as well as in India.
The most precious asset in growing urban areas is
land. After its allocation for residential and commercial purposes hardly 6 %
to a maximum of 18 % of land in cities forms road ways. The road ways once laid
almost remain constant and indeed may be effectively reduced by uncontrolled
encroachments. With the physical constraint on road area in the wake of
increasing population, the intensity of loads and traffic volumes on the roads
increase. As more and more people from different habitats try to converge on to
the central business district, the road are left with no capacity to improvise
and handle the excess traffic, leading to congestion. Roads take one exactly to
the point where one wants to go. But the capacity is limited in terms of
passengers per hour that can be handled, considering speed limits and lane
width limitations.
Technicalities of Sky Bus
Technology
The fixed structure at 8 metres height above road
level provides the support and guidance for powered bogies which can run at 100
kmph, with the coach shells suspended below, carry passengers in air
conditioned comfort, can follow existing road routes, while existing traffic on
roads continue. It is aesthetically pleasing and there is no concern of a claustrophobic
feeling for road users . Aesthetic, and eco-friendly, the Sky Bus is protected
against derailment, toppling or collision - by design as well as by
construction, hence is safer than the existing rail based system. At the cost
of Rs. 50 Crore per km. in India , the system is noise - free and pollution -
free with a capacity to transport 36000 passengers per hour (pph), scalable to
72,000 pph as required. With no signaling and having no points and crossings,
it is a unique mass-transit system that can be put up within two years in any
crowded & congested city. In addition to moving people, the Sky Bus system
can carry standard 20 ft. containers, boosting its capacity utilization to
double that of other existing systems.
Since
it operates along existing roadways and within municipal limits, Sky Bus metro
falls under tramway category, under Art 366(20) of the Constitution of India.
The main components of the sky bus system are described below:
Sky way
• i. The sky way consists of a concrete box structure
8.4 X 2.4 m. carried over a series of piers at a height of 9 - 10 m. above the
existing road level.
• ii. In the middle of the roadway, pile foundations
support 1 m. diameter columns approximately 8 m. high, and at a spacing of 15
m. all along the roadway.
• iii. It has two heavy 52 - 60 kg. / Metre rails
fixed with appropriate fastenings within the concrete box support at standard
gauge that guide the sky bogie.
• iv. There are no points & crossings.
Sky Bogie
• i. Standard two axle bogies can be used in metros
for speeds of 100 kmph (but can have higher speeds if required, upto 160 kmph)
of standard gauge.
• ii. Linear Induction motor technology is
incorporated with 4 Th rail driving, which is above the bogie and 3 phase AC
motors with regenerative power capability are used.
• iii. Third Rail is used for current collection.
• iv. Braking - Since the bogie is mounted, 3 levels
of braking namely - Regenerative, disc brakes and finally, Emergency mechanical
brakes are provide to ensure the safety of commuters.
Sky Coaches
1. These
are double walled light shells with large wide windows suspended from the sky
bogies.
2. Controlled
banking on curves is possible. Curves with radii of 50 m. can be negotiated.
3. The
coaches are air conditioned and fixed with automatic doors.
Sky Stations
1. Unlike
conventional mass transit systems, Sky Bus needs smaller stations about 50 mt.
long.
1.2. Stations
are available at every 1 km. It is a natural footbridge across the road. From
up line to down line the station provides natural access, which is easy.
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