A method for enabling elevated trains for travel both above as well as below a vertically-tiered pair of tracks by having wheels both in the upper and lower area of the train with the ability to switch from traveling on the upper tracks using lower wheels to traveling on the lower track using upper wheels, where the said method of switching between upper and lower tracks enables trains to be moved between multiple levels serving as passing loops as well as vertical depots.

A method for enabling elevated trains for travel both above as well as below a vertically-tiered pair of tracks by having wheels both in the upper and lower area of the train with the ability to switch from traveling on the upper tracks using lower wheels to traveling on the lower track using upper wheels, where the said method of switching between upper and lower tracks enables trains to be moved between multiple levels serving as passing loops as well as vertical depots.

A trolley for supporting transporting units of a transportation system, wherein the transporting units are supported suspended from a guide defining a direction of movement; the trolley comprising: a frame; rolls supported by the frame and configured for resting and rolling on the guide; a suspending arm for supporting the transporting units, wherein the suspending arm pivots constrained to the frame about the direction of movement between a first and a second angular position; a rotation limiting device selectively operable for limiting or blocking the rotation of the suspending arm with respect to the frame.

A trolley for supporting transporting units of a transportation system, wherein the transporting units are supported suspended from a guide defining a direction of movement; the trolley comprising: a frame; rolls supported by the frame and configured for resting and rolling on the guide; a suspending arm for supporting the transporting units, wherein the suspending arm pivots constrained to the frame about the direction of movement between a first and a second angular position; a rotation limiting device selectively operable for limiting or blocking the rotation of the suspending arm with respect to the frame.

A track-wheel based device is disclosed. The track-wheel based device may include a longitudinal member substantially perpendicular to an axis of motion of the track-wheel based device. The track-wheel based device may further include a first lateral member and a second lateral member, each being substantially parallel to the axis of motion of the track-wheel based device. The longitudinal member may be coupled to the first lateral member at a first location of the first lateral member and to the second lateral member at a first location of the second lateral member. The first lateral member and the second lateral member may be configured to undergo a relative angular rotation, in response to a planar misalignment of four or more points of contact between two or more guide tracks for the track-wheel based device and the track-wheel based device.

A track-wheel based device is disclosed. The track-wheel based device may include a longitudinal member substantially perpendicular to an axis of motion of the track-wheel based device. The track-wheel based device may further include a first lateral member and a second lateral member, each being substantially parallel to the axis of motion of the track-wheel based device. The longitudinal member may be coupled to the first lateral member at a first location of the first lateral member and to the second lateral member at a first location of the second lateral member. The first lateral member and the second lateral member may be configured to undergo a relative angular rotation, in response to a planar misalignment of four or more points of contact between two or more guide tracks for the track-wheel based device and the track-wheel based device.

In accordance with embodiments of the invention, an elevated transportation system is provided. The elevated transportation system includes a plurality of towers. A plurality of track segments is operable to connect to the plurality of towers. A lift car is operable to move along the plurality of track segments. Each tower of the plurality of towers is operable to receive and connect one or more track segments. The plurality of towers is operable to enable the lift car to move along the plurality track segments.

A transport system has a first set of substantially parallel rails supported above ground level by support structures, a trolley having wheels mounted to a frame with the wheels engaging the rails, at least one wheel powered to move the trolley along the set of rails, a portion of the frame depending between the rails to a level below the rails, and a downward-facing latching interface on the depending portion of the frame, and a pod enabled to carry a passenger or parcels, or both, engaged by an upward-facing latching interface to the downward-facing latching interface of the trolley, such that, as the trolley travels along the rail set, the pod is carried along below the rail set.

In accordance with embodiments of the invention, an elevated transportation system is provided. The elevated transportation system includes a plurality of towers. A plurality of track segments is operable to connect to the plurality of towers. A lift car is operable to move along the plurality of track segments. Each tower of the plurality of towers is operable to receive and connect one or more track segments. The plurality of towers is operable to enable the lift car to move along the plurality track segments.

A transportation system including a tubular rail assembly, a displacement device with at least one helical propulsion system located in a first position to be received in one rail and movable to a second position to be received in another rail, a switching mechanism engaged to each propulsion system for movement between the first and second positions, and a transportation device outside of the rail assembly and attached to the displacement device. Also, a displacement device with at least one pair of support members each supporting a helical propulsion system, and a biasing member circumferentially biasing the support member of each pair in opposite directions. Also, a displacement device with at least one tubular support member surrounding the body and circumferentially movable with respect thereto and supporting a set of angled wheels, and a switching mechanism engaged to each member for actuating the circumferential movement.