What is so big about DUAL-MODE,
and why automobiles will never be Dual-Mode compliant!
Well, as millions more people get single occupancy vehicles (SOV's, your regular automobile) in the next five years, driving on the same over burdened roadways, it will be obviously clear that automobiles are not the transportation solution! A new vehicle has to emerge, offering a wide range of benefits that automobiles do not solve, such as Parking, Environmental, Energy, Mobility and Safety. A DUAL-MODE vehicle that can be driven on the ground as well as an ELEVATED SKYWAY is ideal to getting massive amounts of vehicles moving without Delays, Accidents, Stop and Go Traffic and Human Errors. After observing the reality of what has to occur to make automobiles DUAL-MODE compliant, one will see that there are too many obstacles!
PROBLEM
A Dual Mode vehicle requires highly advanced Computer Technologies that would be to expensive for traditional automobiles. An Automated Highway System (AHS) automobile will cost over $200,000.00 dollars (as of December 2002 pricing), which is to costly for the general public. Since its introduction in the early 70's, automotive electronics have been nothing more than a costly, complicated, time consuming and expensive headache. Adapting electronics without universal standards is a mistake that Consumers are experiencing firsthand.
SOLUTION
A complete DUAL-MODE Auto-bicycle is about $15,000.00 to own, as of December 2003. Because most of the electronic systems are housed in a small Laptop Computer that can be easily removed, theft of the interior is not possible. The Laptop has Sound, Video, and Controls that operate the Auto-bicycle. An internal "Black Box" stores codes as a backup if something should happen to your Auto-bicycle Computer.
PROBLEM
The extreme variations in automobiles from manufacturer to manufacturer is another obstacle. Just trying to replace a simple LUG NUT on an automobile is a complex task, more or less trying to make automobiles AHS compliant! Because of all the extreme complexities that were totally unnecessary, these manufacturers placed themselves right out of existence in an age where transportation must really perform! An automobile that can go 200 MPH on a highway that is 65 MPH by law, and only going 20 MPH because of Highway Congestion is useless! As Cities grow with massive mega-populations, automobiles will be a Commuter's last choice for mobility. People may finally get wise that paying $30,000.00 Dollars for an automobile that they cannot potentially use is insanity!
SOLUTION
Integrated with universal parts like Bicycles, Auto-bicycles are a basic technology that is cost effective enough to add complex electronics and still be affordable to the general Public. Using powerful Laptop Computers and Software, most Applications are within the Computer and/or downloaded, using a centrally located integration cable technology on the Auto-bicycle. A powerful top of the line Business Computer is under 3,000 Dollars (as of 12/01 2003), which is what Auto-bicycles use for AHS compliance!
PROBLEM
An automobile is "overweight", in respect that SOV's (your regular automobile) weighs about 3,000 pounds+ and carries around a single 175 pound (USA average) individual! Trying to elevate a 3,000 pound+ automobile using highly complex electronics to get people to locations less that a 20 mile radius is not LOGICAL, nor makes any financial or economic sense!
SOLUTION
Auto-bicycles generally weigh about 500 pounds, are affordable to use on a daily basis and have a long range capability! Auto-bicycles have space-saving features, which become prime reasons for mobility in the City. Imagine 7 million Commuters in NYC trying to drive a SOV automobile, nobody will ever be able to move!
PROBLEM
As more of these overly large automobiles come on the scene in the next five years, where will they be PARKED? Can anyone imagine the headaches that will occur when snow storms quickly emerge? Vehicles left on the streets cost the Cities and Towns enormous amounts of money and problems. And Engineers want to put these automobiles on an ELEVATED GUIDEWAY?
SOLUTION
The fact that Auto-bicycles have "MORPHING" capabilities, to expand and contract, can be brought indoors and on a freight elevator, makes them ideal as a mode of transportation for the immediate future! Because Auto-bicycles are just a little larger than a Bicycle, residential buildings in the City will have to adapt to making facilities available for Parking and Security. As most reports point out, those buildings that don't offer Parking and Security for Tenants Bicycles (or Auto-bicycles), will be vacant! An automobile Garage that can Park 100 cars, can now Park over 1,000 fully enclosed Auto-bicycles, which have a seating capacity for over 4,000 people! Existing neighborhood streets where Auto-bicycles ride have 8 times the capacity of automobiles! A standard 18 foot two lane road can carry four lanes of Auto-bicycle traffic, with 32 times the number of people!
PROBLEM
Most people fail to realize the vast amounts of materials that go into manufacturing an automobile. From the time these vehicles are conceived to the time they are sent to a junkyard, these vehicle devastate the Environment in which we all must live. The capacity for which these vehicles are designed is almost always never used, therefore compounding the problems of wasted resources!
SOLUTION
Auto-bicycles maximize the precious resources that are used. A large SUV carrying seven large adults can make up to 14 standard Auto-bicycles! That means 14 people who can go in 14 different directions and all 14 Auto-bicycles take the space of two parked automobiles! This does not mention the ability to carry up to 2 or 3 additional passengers each! This means 12 less parking spaces needed, as well as the space required to maneuver automobiles!
PROBLEM
Technologies such as hydrogen, electric, or hybrid cars need infrastructures that are not even built, and have devastating consequences upon the Environment. Hybrid automobiles should have surfaced during the 1970's, electric vehicle technologies should have done something since 1900, and hydrogen should not even be considered! Using all these elaborate schemes to move about people within a 20 mile radius is ridiculous!
SOLUTION
Auto-bicycles use technology that is already widespread, Software, Computers and the INTERNET! As technology steadily increases in the next few years because there is now a viable DUAL-MODE technology, all the MAG-LEV, AHS and PRT Developers will come to the table, offering their expertise on implementing the only feasible concept known to mankind! Numerous reports demonstrate that a New Mode of Transportation must surface, to alleviate the skyrocketing human population's need for mobility!
To better understand this Dual-Mode debate, and why automobiles will never be Dual-Mode compliant, visit http://faculty.washington.edu/jbs/itrans for more information. This web site compares all technologies from around the world, giving you a snapshot of the limited capabilities of technology, and why mankind should have progressed beyond automobiles beginning in 1950!
Get back to the future of www.justabike.com !
Monday, January 05, 2004 03:42:18 PM -0500