A high-speed transportation system comprises an evacuated travel conduit divided into a plurality of segments by closable gates, and associated with corresponding segment pumps that maintain operating vacuums within the segments when vehicles are present. When a segment is unoccupied, energy is saved by closing the adjoining gates and deactivating the associated segment pump, thereby deactivating the segment and allowing the segment's internal pressure to rise due to leakage. As a vehicle approaches, the segment pump is reactivated, lowering the internal pressure to the operating vacuum, and the gates are opened. Embodiments include a boom-tank system that can accelerate re-evacuation of a segment having an increased internal pressure by establishing fluid communication with at least one recently deactivated segment having a lower internal pressure. As a vehicle transits the conduit, a rolling, contiguous group of activated segments surrounding and in advance of the vehicle can be maintained.

A high-speed transportation system comprises an evacuated travel conduit divided into a plurality of segments by closable gates, and associated with corresponding segment pumps that maintain operating vacuums within the segments when vehicles are present. When a segment is unoccupied, energy is saved by closing the adjoining gates and deactivating the associated segment pump, thereby deactivating the segment and allowing the segment's internal pressure to rise due to leakage. As a vehicle approaches, the segment pump is reactivated, lowering the internal pressure to the operating vacuum, and the gates are opened. Embodiments include a boom-tank system that can accelerate re-evacuation of a segment having an increased internal pressure by establishing fluid communication with at least one recently deactivated segment having a lower internal pressure. As a vehicle transits the conduit, a rolling, contiguous group of activated segments surrounding and in advance of the vehicle can be maintained.

A transportation system is disclosed. The transportation system has a vehicle that is self-powered and configured to generate an air cushion on a trackless lane having a substantially flat surface. The vehicle is configured to move over the substantially flat surface on the air cushion. The transportation system also has a guidance system configured to guide the vehicle between peripheries of the trackless lane.

A transportation system is disclosed. The transportation system has a vehicle that is self-powered and configured to generate an air cushion on a trackless lane having a substantially flat surface. The vehicle is configured to move over the substantially flat surface on the air cushion. The transportation system also has a guidance system configured to guide the vehicle between peripheries of the trackless lane.

A transportation system is disclosed. The transportation system has a vehicle that is self-powered and configured to generate an air cushion on a trackless lane having a substantially flat surface. The vehicle is configured to move over the substantially flat surface on the air cushion. The transportation system also has a guidance system configured to guide the vehicle between peripheries of the trackless lane.

A transportation system is disclosed. The transportation system has a vehicle that is self-powered and configured to generate an air cushion on a trackless lane having a substantially flat surface. The vehicle is configured to move over the substantially flat surface on the air cushion. The transportation system also has a guidance system configured to guide the vehicle between peripheries of the trackless lane.

A high-speed transportation system comprises an evacuated travel conduit divided into a plurality of segments by closable gates, and associated with corresponding segment pumps that maintain operating vacuums within the segments when vehicles are present. When a segment is unoccupied, energy is saved by closing the adjoining gates and deactivating the associated segment pump, thereby deactivating the segment and allowing the segment's internal pressure to rise due to leakage. As a vehicle approaches, the segment pump is reactivated, lowering the internal pressure to the operating vacuum, and the gates are opened. Embodiments include a boom-tank system that can accelerate re-evacuation of a segment having an increased internal pressure by establishing fluid communication with at least one recently deactivated segment having a lower internal pressure. As a vehicle transits the conduit, a rolling, contiguous group of activated segments surrounding and in advance of the vehicle can be maintained.

A high-speed transportation system comprises an evacuated travel conduit divided into a plurality of segments by closable gates, and associated with corresponding segment pumps that maintain operating vacuums within the segments when vehicles are present. When a segment is unoccupied, energy is saved by closing the adjoining gates and deactivating the associated segment pump, thereby deactivating the segment and allowing the segment's internal pressure to rise due to leakage. As a vehicle approaches, the segment pump is reactivated, lowering the internal pressure to the operating vacuum, and the gates are opened. Embodiments include a boom-tank system that can accelerate re-evacuation of a segment having an increased internal pressure by establishing fluid communication with at least one recently deactivated segment having a lower internal pressure. As a vehicle transits the conduit, a rolling, contiguous group of activated segments surrounding and in advance of the vehicle can be maintained.

An assembly that may be used in a transportation system is disclosed that in one or more embodiments includes at least one or more of the following: a braking system, which at least partially functions with an air bearing, a linear induction motor (‘UM’) that has tilting abilities, and an inflated air bearing that is positioned with respect to a rail such that a portion of the rail is inside the air bearing. Regarding the latter, in one or more embodiments the inflated air bearing has a semi-enclosed cavity shape and the rail is cross-sectionally curved such that a portion of the cross-sectionally curved is positioned partially inside the semi-enclosed cavity. In one or more embodiments, the assembly is included as part of a monorail system.

An assembly that may be used in a transportation system is disclosed that in one or more embodiments includes at least one or more of the following: a braking system, which at least partially functions with an air bearing, a linear induction motor (‘UM’) that has tilting abilities, and an inflated air bearing that is positioned with respect to a rail such that a portion of the rail is inside the air bearing. Regarding the latter, in one or more embodiments the inflated air bearing has a semi-enclosed cavity shape and the rail is cross-sectionally curved such that a portion of the cross-sectionally curved is positioned partially inside the semi-enclosed cavity. In one or more embodiments, the assembly is included as part of a monorail system.