In a method for mixed operation of a section of railroad line, the section of line is trafficable by trains equipped with a train control system, and by trains not equipped with this train control system. The section of line is provided with a switch so that in the event that a train not equipped with the train control system is to enter the section of line from the direction of a side track, the section of line is indicated as occupied. The occupied indication is triggered by a first throwing of the switch in the direction of the side track. After the train not equipped with the train control system has passed through, the occupied indication is canceled. The cancelation is triggered by a second throwing of the switch. After throwing of the switch, a clearing run is carried out on the section of line by an equipped train.

A high-speed transportation system, the system including at least one transportation path having at least one track, at least one transportation vehicle configured for travel along the at least one transportation path, a propulsion system adapted to propel the at least one transportation vehicle along the at least one transportation path; and a levitation system adapted to levitate the transportation vehicle along the at least one transportation path. The at least one transportation vehicle additionally comprises wheels for at least intermittently supporting the transportation vehicle on the at least one track.

A high-speed transportation system, the system including at least one transportation path having at least one track, at least one transportation vehicle configured for travel along the at least one transportation path, a propulsion system adapted to propel the at least one transportation vehicle along the at least one transportation path; and a levitation system adapted to levitate the transportation vehicle along the at least one transportation path. The at least one transportation vehicle additionally comprises wheels for at least intermittently supporting the transportation vehicle on the at least one track.

In a method for mixed operation of a section of railroad line, the section of line is trafficable by trains equipped with a train control system, and by trains not equipped with this train control system. The section of line is provided with a switch so that in the event that a train not equipped with the train control system is to enter the section of line from the direction of a side track, the section of line is indicated as occupied. The occupied indication is triggered by a first throwing of the switch in the direction of the side track. After the train not equipped with the train control system has passed through, the occupied indication is canceled. The cancelation is triggered by a second throwing of the switch. After throwing of the switch, a clearing run is carried out on the section of line by an equipped train.

A method of monitoring tube integrity of a high-speed transportation system. The high-speed transportation system includes at least one tube structure having at least one track, at least one capsule configured for travel through the at least one tube structure between a plurality of stations, a propulsion system adapted to propel the at least one capsule through the structure, and a levitation system adapted to levitate the capsule within the structure. The tube structure is maintained as a low-pressure environment. The method includes directing a vehicle having at least one sensor along a tube path; and detecting a plume of air leaked from the low-pressure environment using the at least one sensor.

A method of monitoring tube integrity of a high-speed transportation system. The high-speed transportation system includes at least one tube structure having at least one track, at least one capsule configured for travel through the at least one tube structure between a plurality of stations, a propulsion system adapted to propel the at least one capsule through the structure, and a levitation system adapted to levitate the capsule within the structure. The tube structure is maintained as a low-pressure environment. The method includes directing a vehicle having at least one sensor along a tube path; and detecting a plume of air leaked from the low-pressure environment using the at least one sensor.

An off-shore port system includes a land-based port infrastructure area, an off-shore cargo ship docking area located in a body of water, and a transportation system having at least one tube connecting the land-based port infrastructure area and the off-shore cargo ship docking area.

An off-shore port system includes a land-based port infrastructure area, an off-shore cargo ship docking area located in a body of water, and a transportation system having at least one tube connecting the land-based port infrastructure area and the off-shore cargo ship docking area.

A method for manufacturing at least one transportation tube having a plurality of transportation tube sections for a high-speed transportation system. The method includes manufacturing the tube sections in-situ adjacent to an approximate path of the transportation system where the tube sections are to be positioned.

A method for manufacturing at least one transportation tube having a plurality of transportation tube sections for a high-speed transportation system. The method includes manufacturing the tube sections in-situ adjacent to an approximate path of the transportation system where the tube sections are to be positioned.