[14.06.2022]
Description of uSky complex
uSky transport and infrastructure complex is an infrastructure facility based on patented technologies of uSky rail and prestressed string rail transport overpass designed for fulfilling transport and logistics activities.
uSky transport and infrastructure complex comprises the following subsystems:
rail string overpass;
infrastructure;
steel-wheeled rail electric vehicle uPod;
automated control system, power system, communications system.
uSky transport and infrastructure complex construction requires a minimum land allocation. It can be easily adapted to perform any logistics tasks within the framework of urban and intercity passenger and cargo transportation. uSky urban complexes can carry from 1 to 50 thousand passengers per hour. Freight complexes can carry from 1 to 100 million tons per year.
uSky complexes are distinguished by high efficiency, safety, reliability, and durability. Prestressed design features enable the substantial reduction of the material consumption and cost of transport overpasses in comparison with other types of overpass transport (monorail, city railway, magnetic and air cushion trains, surface metro, high-speed tram, cable car) and underground metro. Operating expenditure (OPEX) and return on investment (ROI) are also significantly reduced compared to the listed traditional transport and infrastructure solutions.
uSky transport and infrastructure complex members
1. String rail overpass consists of a prestressed track structure, anchor supports, intermediate supports with anchor nodes electrically isolated from each other, and the supports, and string rails, which perform the function of a contact network.
Anchor nodes are installed on the anchor supports – these are track structure members serving for tensioning the string rails, which transfer tension forces to the anchor supports (a force of about 1,000 tons per track structure).
The track structure is fastened to the intermediate supports, and the loads are transferred via the support nodes representing a set of track structure members (variable stiffness beams “fishing rods”, saddles, etc.).
All support nodes are both load-bearing members (they transmit prestressing forces and the weight of the rolling stock) and electrical insulators designed for voltages up to 1,000 V.
The track structure consists of stressed and non-stressed sections. The stressed (by strain and power voltage) sections of the track structure are located between the anchor supports; unstressed sections of the track structure are located on turnabout areas behind the anchor supports. The stressed sections are electrified, the unstressed sections are not, here uPods move being powered by onboard energy storage units (batteries).
2. The infrastructure is a complex of interconnected off-the-ground facilities including terminals (passenger and/or cargo), a service area, a power supply system, an automated control system (including a control room), other buildings and structures, as well as building services and equipment, including rail switches ensuring the proper functioning of string rail uSky transport and infrastructure complex.
Passenger terminals include stations and technical devices for passenger handling. If necessary, the stations are equipped with terminals for the transportation of goods and luggage, a control room, and a service area.
The service area is designed to carry out a set of measures to ensure the technical readiness of rail electric uPods throughout the entire life cycle.
The power supply system includes technical structures and devices (electrical substations, contact networks, electrical networks, etc.) that provide power supply to infrastructure facilities consuming electricity, as well as rolling stock on electrified track structures.
Building services include pipework and cables for various purposes (water supply, sewerage, heating, air conditioning, electric power cables, communications, etc.) laid within the uSky transport and infrastructure complex and (if necessary) nearby settlements to ensure the functioning of the complex.
3. The rolling stock is an unmanned steel-wheeled rail electric vehicle designed to transport passengers (including their luggage) and goods on the tracks electrified by power from a contact rail.
uPods can be arbitrarily divided into three main units:
traction module;
passenger module;
power system and onboard control system.
The traction module ensures all modes of the uPod movement on the string rail track structure of the transport complex. The traction module includes:
traction drive system;
brake system;
heading hold system;
uPod recovery system (to the station and/or depot) and fire suppression system.
The passenger module is designed to accommodate passengers and their luggage, protect and create safe and comfortable conditions for their stay inside in motion, and at stops, including emergency stops.
The passenger module includes:
entrance system (doors);
passenger cab fitted out with seats (if applicable), handrails;
space for people of determination;
ventilation and microclimate systems;
lighting system (standby and emergency);
passenger notification system (video communication, duplex communication with an operator, nameplates, indicator lights, etc.);
passenger evacuation system;
fire suppression means (fire extinguishers).
Onboard control system is a set of hardware and software devices intended to control the uPod and ensure traffic safety conditions. It consists of three functional systems that perform all the requisite control and security functions:
automatic security system of uPod;
automatic train operation system of uPod;
automatic control system for uPod subsystems.
The automated control system for uSky transport and infrastructure complex is a combination of hardware and software designed to administer the objects of transport activities and ensure traffic safety conditions. It includes the following main systems:
central control system designed to control the EV within the complex and automated infrastructure facilities, to generate an EV schedule based on the condition of uPod all systems to ensure safe and comfortable transportation of passengers;
onboard control system of uPod designed to manage EV subsystems for safe and comfortable completion of the riding schedule;
automated infrastructure facilities and additional systems to ensure the safe functioning of uSky complex, as well as comfortable and safe transportation of passengers.
Scope of application of uSky Transport & Infrastructure Solutions
Development of underdeveloped and hard-to-reach territories, creation of a unified network of off-the-ground freight, passenger, and high-speed intercity tracks;
Development of related industries for the production of rail string transport overpass and rolling stock (metallurgy, chemical, petrochemical and radio-electronic industries, mechanical engineering, construction, etc.);
A qualitative change in the economic structure and growth in GDP of a country and region, the creation of new jobs in almost all sectors of the national economy;
Maximum reduction of capital expenditure (CAPEX) and operational expenditure (OPEX) in transport infrastructure;
Improvement of urban, regional, and global ecology;
Integration of countries into international transport corridors, creation of a fundamentally new global logistics of the XXI century – highly efficient, environmentally friendly, and safe.
