Sky Bus Technology

Abstract

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.

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. 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.

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.i

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

These are double walled light shells with large wide windows suspended from the sky bogies.

Controlled banking on curves is possible. Curves with radii of 50 m. can be negotiated.

The coaches are air conditioned and fixed with automatic doors.

They have audio visual information to assist the passengers.

They also have special 4 m. wide sliding doors for quick entry and exit of passengers.

Each pair of coaches carries 300 persons and service every one minute or 30 seconds is possible.

Sky Stations

Unlike conventional mass transit systems, Sky Bus needs smaller stations about 50 mt. long.

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.

Service is available at every 30 seconds or 1 minute, which means virtually no waiting time for passengers.

Totally automated without drivers, access control is electronic by prepaid cards being swiped in.

Stations act only as an access facility, and not as passenger holding area.