A train control system includes: a sensor unit; a linear feature configured such that sensor information acquired by the sensor unit includes characteristic information and installed on a track where a train travels; a feature recognition unit calculating a difference value between first sensor information and second sensor information by comparison between the first sensor information acquired during forward monitoring by the sensor unit and the second sensor information acquired by the sensor unit when the linear feature is not shielded and recognizing a presence or absence of shielding of the linear feature based on the difference value; an intrusion determination unit determining a presence or absence of an intrusion into the track based on the presence or absence of the shielding and generating an intrusion determination result; and a train control unit controlling the train by generating a train control instruction based on the intrusion determination.

A track switching arrangement for a track-based guided transportation system, wherein the track switching arrangement forms diverging pathways and enables vehicle-side switching of a vehicle in the guided transportation system. The track switching arrangement includes an upstream pathway; two downstream pathways; and a path switching transition region having the diverging pathways between the upstream pathway and the two downstream pathways. Each of the pathways includes track elements configured to interact with one or more respective bearings of the vehicle to provide levitation to the vehicle and/or guidance for the vehicle.

A system and method to ensure a sufficient amount of electrical energy is supplied to a cable-drawn vehicle of a transportation device. Electrical loads of the vehicle are supplied with power outside a station by an electrical energy store of the vehicle or by both an electrical energy store and the generator during a first movement phase, in which the vehicle is accelerated to a limit speed or, conversely, decelerated from a limit speed into a station. In a subsequent second movement phase, the vehicle is supplied with electrical energy by the generator while the vehicle moves at a speed that is greater than the limit speed.

A track switching arrangement for a track-based guided transportation system, wherein the track switching arrangement forms diverging pathways and enables vehicle-side switching of a vehicle in the guided transportation system. The track switching arrangement includes an upstream pathway; two downstream pathways; and a path switching transition region having the diverging pathways between the upstream pathway and the two downstream pathways. Each of the pathways includes track elements configured to interact with one or more respective bearings of the vehicle to provide levitation to the vehicle and/or guidance for the vehicle.

Rail conveyor element which can be displaced on a rail system with intersecting rails, includes a base and a wheel-bearing cassette which supports the base and in which at least one wheel is accommodated to rest on a rail, the wheel-bearing cassette is rotatably mounted around a vertical axis relative to the base and the rail conveyor element includes a pressure ram with actuator which extends downward on or below the base and can be displaced between a raised unloaded position which coincides with the transport position of the rail conveyor and a lowered loaded position to unload the wheel-bearing cassette relative to the rail.

Obstacle detection enhancement data are transmitted from a server to at least one moving conveyance embedding an obstacle detection system and an on-board wireless radio unit communicating with the server via wireless link. To do so, downlink transmission resources are allocated to each on-board wireless radio unit in a transmission cycle C.sub.n, by optimizing the difference between a distance travelled by the moving conveyance during a transmission cycle and a distance covered by the obstacle detection enhancement data made available to the obstacle detection system at a next transmission cycle C.sub.n+1, wherein the volume of obstacle detection enhancement data expected to be transmitted during the transmission cycle C.sub.n is determined from volume-to-distance ratio information b.sub.k stored in a database and from actual quality of the wireless link.

A cable car and a cable car network with cable car stations and cable car vehicles movable with a haulage rope between the cable car stations includes a cable car control unit for controlling the cable car, wherein a maximum electrical energy consumption of the cable car is predetermined; an energy detection unit configured for determining an electrical energy consumption of the cable car; and wherein the cable car control unit is configured to control or regulate an electrical energy consumption of at least one electrical consumer of the cable car based at least in part on the determined electrical energy consumption of the cable car such that the maximum electrical energy consumption predetermined for the cable car is not exceeded. Associated methods of operating a cable car or cable car network are also disclosed.

A cargo container loading and unloading system for a transportation system, the cargo container loading and unloading system including a loading zone; and at least one opening connecting the loading zone to a transportation tube of the transportation system.

A rapid transit system with wheel in track design includes a guideway, a vehicle that includes a vehicle bogie or chassis that couples to the guideway, and one or more terminals and/or intermediate stations. The guideway may include a first guideway and a second guideway, with a switch guideway interposed thereinbetween that allows the vehicle to move from the first guideway to the second guideway or vice versa. The vehicle may be coupled to the guideway via the vehicle bogie. The bogie may have a first axle, a second axle, and a third axle. First and second sets of guidewheels propel the vehicle forward or backward. The first set of switch wheels and/or the second set of switch wheels may be engaged and interact with one or more first or second neutral rails or first and second switch rails to move the vehicle from guideway to guideway.

A cargo container loading and unloading system for a transportation system, the cargo container loading and unloading system including a loading zone; and at least one opening connecting the loading zone to a transportation tube of the transportation system.