Cybertran/sup /spl reg//: a low cost, high service electric mass transit system

Electrified rail transit systems have been in use for a century, but are expensive and not user friendly. A new system has been designed at the US Department of Energy that achieves the objects of lower capital cost and greater customer service. This system, known as CyberTran/sup /spl reg//, utilizes improvements in computers, radio, and power semiconductors to achieve its objectives. The system, based on a distributed load concept in which a high number of smaller vehicles are utilized, is now being privately commercialized. The smaller vehicles can maintain the capacity of Light Rail Transit but with less infrastructure, both structural and electrical. On-demand operation and direct-to-destination travel become possible. Computerized vehicle dispatch and radio-ranging technologies maintain control over vehicle destinations and motion. The concept is presented and the electrical system described.