A transport system includes a main cable, a track assembly, and a conveyance assembly, wherein the track assembly is suspended from the main cable to allow unimpeded translational movement of the conveyance assembly along the track assembly. In another aspect according to the present invention, the track assembly has a track changing assembly that includes a track changing section rotatably coupled to a primary track section for selective alignment of the track changing section to any one of a plurality of exit track sections. A method of conveyance along a suspended track includes suspending a main cable between natural or artificial support structures, suspending a track assembly from the main cable, and mounting a conveyance assembly on the suspended track assembly to provide unimpeded translational movement of the conveyance assembly along the track assembly.

A transport system includes a main cable, a track assembly, and a conveyance assembly, wherein the track assembly is suspended from the main cable to allow unimpeded translational movement of the conveyance assembly along the track assembly. In another aspect according to the present invention, the track assembly has a track changing assembly that includes a track changing section rotatably coupled to a primary track section for selective alignment of the track changing section to any one of a plurality of exit track sections. A method of conveyance along a suspended track includes suspending a main cable between natural or artificial support structures, suspending a track assembly from the main cable, and mounting a conveyance assembly on the suspended track assembly to provide unimpeded translational movement of the conveyance assembly along the track assembly.

A control system executes preliminary biasing processing including controlling a guide wheel drive unit to bias a guide wheel in a direction from a first position toward a second position while the guide wheel is at the first position and is in contact with a first-side surface of a branch guide portion from a first side in a width direction before entering a switching area, and allows the guide wheel to pass through the switching area while executing the preliminary biasing processing.

A control system executes preliminary biasing processing including controlling a guide wheel drive unit to bias a guide wheel in a direction from a first position toward a second position while the guide wheel is at the first position and is in contact with a first-side surface of a branch guide portion from a first side in a width direction before entering a switching area, and allows the guide wheel to pass through the switching area while executing the preliminary biasing processing.

A rail-changing system for air transport systems that comprises a bearing assembly and an arrangement of beams for changing direction, in which the bearing assembly is of the type that is linked to a carriage of an air transport system on beams, and comprises a frame linked to a pair of extensions defining a configuration similar to a yoke, each extension comprising a pair of main wheels with a common rotational axis arranged horizontally, and the main wheels being able to circulate on a beam; the bearing assembly also comprises at least one cam arranged on a rotating basis between the extensions, such that the rotational axis of the cam is arranged vertically, the arrangement of the beams for changing direction of a carriage with a bearing assembly and the beams being rails of the passive type.

A method and apparatus 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, at the end of the line, from traveling on the upper tracks using lower wheels to traveling on the lower track using upper wheels. The method and apparatus 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 and apparatus 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, at the end of the line, from traveling on the upper tracks using lower wheels to traveling on the lower track using upper wheels. The method and apparatus 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 turnout apparatus for an overhead monorail includes a frame, an input fixed rail docking an input rail, output fixed rails each docking an output rail, and movable rails disposed between the input fixed rail and the output fixed rails. The input fixed rail is disposed at one end of the frame. The output fixed rails include a first output fixed rail and a second output fixed rail disposed at the other end of the frame. The movable rails include a first movable rail docking the input fixed rail and the first output fixed rail, and a second movable rail docking the input fixed rail and the second output fixed rail. The first and second movable rails are fixed and rotatable about a horizontal line as an axis. Directions toward which upper rail surfaces of the first movable rail and the second movable rail face differ by 180 degrees.

A turnout apparatus for an overhead monorail includes a frame, an input fixed rail docking an input rail, output fixed rails each docking an output rail, and movable rails disposed between the input fixed rail and the output fixed rails. The input fixed rail is disposed at one end of the frame. The output fixed rails include a first output fixed rail and a second output fixed rail disposed at the other end of the frame. The movable rails include a first movable rail docking the input fixed rail and the first output fixed rail, and a second movable rail docking the input fixed rail and the second output fixed rail. The first and second movable rails are fixed and rotatable about a horizontal line as an axis. Directions toward which upper rail surfaces of the first movable rail and the second movable rail face differ by 180 degrees.

Provided herein are transit systems for travel overhead of streets, having: at least a first vehicle and a second vehicle; a main track on which the vehicles travel, the main track having a suspended overhead rail over the streets by a support structure, such that the vehicles travel at an elevated level overhead of street level; docking stations for the vehicles to lower to the street level for loading and/or unloading passengers and/or cargo; a two-position switch at each docking station, having cables enabling vertical movement of the vehicle, and a replacement track; wherein the two-position switch allows for docking of the first vehicle while the second vehicle passes the docked first vehicle, by enabling lowering of the first vehicle from the elevated level to the street level, and the replacement track providing a track portion for the second vehicle on which to pass the first vehicle.