Katie Reynolds

April 30, 2014

Professional Editing
Project #2

American City and County: 498 Words

Rapid-transit is an expensive concept, especially in urban areas with low traffic density. In order
to make rapid-transit feasible in areas of low passenger traffic density, a more inexpensive system
should be devised. The first cost of a system must be minimized, commensurate with minimum
operating costs. Equipment automation is the key to minimizing operating costs. Studies of rapid-transit
improvement show that for such a system to be successful in these areas, it must frequently attract
passengers away from their automobiles.
The Transit Expressway concept involves operation of many small, rubber-tired vehicles in a
continuous loop at short intervals, 24 hours a day. At this time, the loop contains two stations. Train
lengths can be varied during the day based on passenger traffic via the work of mechanical transfer
devices, allowing transportation of 42,000 passengers per hour. Cost is minimized by adapting
automotive components and practices.
The purpose of installing a rapid-transit system in South Park is to test whether such a system
can meet mass transportation needs of an urban area of medium density. The project is administered by
the Port Authority under the Housing and Home Finance Agencys Demonstration Grant Program. This
provided $2,872,000 of the $5,000,000 total project cost. Additional funding was supplied by
Westinghouse, Port Authority of Allegheny County and Pennsylvania State Department of Commerce.
Many companies will evaluate engineering tests and project costs.
The South Park installation is designed to permit testing and evaluation of all aspects of the
project, including: engineering, operating, economic and public-acceptance. Roadway, vehicle and
systems testing are currently taking place. Roadway factors including: foundation displacement,
structural sway and structural flexing are currently being evaluated. Vehicle testing such as accelerating
and breaking are also being evaluated. Short circuit and overload testing show the tripping of electrical
system protectors is correct.
The roadways were designed for a wide range of weather conditions. The tracks consist of
concrete slabs with stringers and an I-beam mounted between tracks to keep vehicles from overturning.
The concrete roadways provide optimal traction with rubber tires in all weather conditions.
Characteristics of this roadway also minimize passenger discomfort, with accelerations remaining below
0.13g.
The small, lightweight vehicles can accommodate up to 70 people and operates smoothly at
speeds in excess of 50 mph. These vehicles are controlled automatically via computer and automatic
vehicle controls. These computers also monitor the operations of vehicles going away from the
controller. If a problem occurs within the vehicles, the vehicles are able to be fully operated from
wayside controllers.
The South Park project is just a start. In other applications, feeder buses would take passengers
to and from the outer parts of the loop and automobile parking areas would be provided at the stations.
The entire complex would be built for flexibility to accommodate changing traffic patterns and increased
traffic volume as the urban area grows. For example, trains could be made longer up to practical limit
and stations would be built so that they could accommodate longer trains.

Automotive Engineering International: 494 words
Westinghouse recently funded a project called The Transit Expressway. This concept was
developed to test whether a rapid-transit system is economically feasible in an urban area of low density
passenger traffic. The project is located in South Park, Pennsylvania.
In order for this to be possible, Westinghouse needed to develop a system which is less
expensive to construct and operate than conventional systems. Westinghouse needed to create a
system that could rival the automobile for those who commute. They also needed to create a system
that operated around-the-clock and provided a degree of customer comfort above which is offered by
existing systems. Westinghouse developed these guidelines for development through many years of
conducting studies.
The Transit Expressway concept involves operation of many small rubber-tired vehicles over a
continuous loop at short intervals, 24 hours a day. During peak hours, additional vehicles may be added
to trains via mechanical transfer devices in order to increase load-carrying capacity of the system to
42,000 passengers per hour. The vehicles are operated automatically under precise control of interval,
speed, acceleration and stops. The vehicles are electrically powered with weight and cost minimized by
adapting automotive components and practices.
The South Park installation was designed to allow testing and evaluation of the engineering,
operating, economic and public acceptance factors. The project includes 9340 ft. of roadway (mainly
elevated), three vehicles capable of operating singly or connected, and two stations.
Foundation placement, structural sway, and structural flexing are being measured to evaluate
the adequacy of structural design and dimensions. Joints and services are being observed for signs of
wear and corrosion and for the effects of expanding and contracting. Vehicles are operating during
severe winter weather to evaluate the effectiveness of heated cables to keep tracks free of winter
elements.
The roadway consists essentially of concrete track slabs on stringers with an I-beam mounted
between the tracks. It was designed along with the vehicle suspension and guidance system for
compatibility of the two. The roadway design was chosen for minimum first cost and annual cost. The
concrete slabs were chosen because of its traction with rubber tires in any weather condition.
Vehicle design is also being tested for passenger comfort. Acceleration remains at under 0.13g
while reaching a maximum speed of 50 mph. Comfort factorsacceleration, vibration, noise, lighting,
heating and air conditioningare also being evaluated.
Since all wheels are driven and have dual rubber tires, the adhesion margin is several times that
required for normal conditions and normal programmed accelerations and braking. Positive-traction
axels minimize wheel slippage in the most adverse road conditions. A steel safety disc locks the vehicle
onto the road.
An automotive-type axel was selected and modified to mount a guidance and support structure.
The axel is attached to the vehicle by a swivel bar arrangement that allows the assembly to swivel while
at the same time taking torque reaction forces and permitting vertical and lateral movement of the body
with respect to the axel.