Frequently Asked Questions

The PT Solution utilizes four currently available technologies: roll forming for the ribbon rail components; carbon fiber fabrication for the light weight PODs; Linear Synchronous Motors for the POD drive system; Lithium batteries for the on board power supplies; Ceil phone network for POD control, communication, and entertainment services.

The ribbon rail is formed using the roll forming method. This allows for fabrication of seamless sections of ribbon rail of variable length. Specially designed roll forming machinery will also create the turnouts, merge sections and pylons. The last special function ribbon rail will be the offset. This section of ribbon rail, when occupied by a POD, offsets the POD from the active rail to a parked position while replacing the removed ribbon rail section with a vacant ribbon rail section. The individual ribbon rail is joined to its opposite direction rail by a connecting tie. This results in a two rail assemble on 36” centers. The ties are in turn mounted on the vertical mounting support resulting in a minimum ribbon rail height of 14’. 

Yes. The PT: Aerosport Modeling & Design. Power Supplies and drive train: Aerotech. Ribbon rail and components: Roll Forming of America.

No, however many variations of this class of transportation are in use today, but not specifically this one.

One of the underling design goals of The PT Solution is the accessibility of the PTs for the young, elderly and handicapped without the stigma of delaying others.

Each PT is equipped with a fault tolerant computer system that not only controls the PT but also continuously monitors the operational status. If a situation occurs that requires the emergency exit of the occupant the passenger compartment will automatically dismount from its pad to the ground.

Each obstacle encountered would be evaluated for a best solution, which would include going over, around or a shared use scenario.

Loading and unloading of passengers takes place in PT portals, which are located at ground level or where ever this activity is required. The minimum width of a portal is 9’ for one way and 12’ for two-way traffic.

Due to the type of infrastructure needed, ultra-light, passive, external monorail with a quoted price of just under five hundred thousand dollars per mile, that would leave one and half million dollars for approximately 110 support pylons or piers or $13,500 per support. Right-of-ways need not be purchased. Easements only will be used.

Among the benefits for Red Bank are the improved view shed, income revenue stream, providing a very cost effective way for Red Bank residents to get to higher paying jobs in Chattanooga and Chattanooga residents to lower paying jobs in Red Bank.

No. The PT System utilizes the currently available communication infrastructure supplied by Verizon or other cell phone companies.

The ROW for one-way rail is 36”. The ROW for two-way ribbon rail is 6’

There is no manual release. However, in the case of a POD drive failure the following car will be instructed to move the car ahead to the next offset location. This next location would normally be the next POD portal.

When this project gets to that point, PT Systems will clearly out line all the tasks that need to be completed and their respective start and completion dates. Since all financial risk is assumed by PT Solutions a on time, on budget implementation is highly desired.

One of the underling design goals of the PT System is a service goal of 100% availability with 0% down time.

One of the underling design goals of The PT Solution is the generation of a revenue stream for the host city. This revenue stream will be based on the revenue miles produced by The PT Solution. If 15,000 Red Bank residents average 12,000 miles per year and the Red Bank PT system captures 10% of that mileage in average trip lengths of 5 miles per trip or $2.25 per trip with Red Bank receiving 5% royalty Red Bank would receive $225,000 per year. The PT system users would save $5,400,000 in auto expenses. The PT Solution would gross $4,500,000 for 18,000,000 revenue miles plus $3,600,000 POD usage fees for a total gross yearly income of $8,100,000. This would be a gross ROI of 16.2% per year.

The PT Solution will be using currently available proven technologies, which makes the PT system feasible.

While there is no doubt that the view shed is going to change The PT Solution believes that the crisp clean lines of the system will improve the current view shed. “Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder”. While view shed is a concern The PT Solution believes the change to the view shed is positive when one considers the other options. The impact on the view shed can be mitigated by ribbon rail location and POD portal landscaping

The gross weight of a loaded POD will be less than five hundred pounds.

No. All fares are based a $1 call fee on to which a distance charge fee of $0.25 / mile or fraction there-of is added. One of the underling design goals of the PT System is to reduce the cost of travel by 50% or more per mile. The current cost of automobile travel, as stated by the IRS, is 55 cents per mile.

This is a location that removes a PT Cockpit  from the active system. It is the system feature that allows for first-in-last-out (FILO). When a PT Cockpit is in an offset it is charging its battery. 

A stamped aluminum sheet.

One of the underling design goals of the PT System is that the host city would have zero out of pocket costs. However, the host city would have the opportunity to increase its income revenue stream by investing in The PT Solution.

The maximum speed, set by the technology, is currently 105 mph. The maximum average system speed is currently set at 35 mph.

One of the underling design goals of the PT System is to reduce the cost of travel by 50% or more per mile. The current cost, as stated by the IRS, is 55 cents per mile. The following is the proposed rate schedule per mile: 0-1 = $1.25, 1-2 + $0.25, 2-3 + $0.25, etc.

The minimum clearance height is 10’ above grade, however in a situation where vehicle traffic is involved 16’ is the minimum clearance. There is no maximum height limit. While there is no minimum or maximum distance between support pylons or piers this distance will very do to alignment requirements.