The MonoCab VRT rapid transit system is a new rapid transit solution that successfully addresses several of the world’s most pressing challenges:-

1. Public transport
2. Energy efficiency
3. CO₂ emissions
4. Traffic congestion
5. Peak oil
6. Water supply
7. Population decentralisation

To encourage your use of any public rapid transit system, it must provide, as close as possible (or even surpass), the benefits you now enjoy with your car and at a lower cost:-

• Comfort
• Speed
• Convenience
• Accessibility
• Safety
• Availability
• Extensive network of track 

 The MonoCab VRT system:-

Distinguishing features:-

• Small individual, automatically controlled cars instead of multi-car trains with drivers.
• Available on demand 24/7 instead of schedules (often none at night).
• Four times faster (100 km/h) than light rail.
• No intermediate stops in your journey.
• Extensive network of tracks.

The MonoCab VRT cars:-

The system uses 8 seat cars (Type A) for normal routes and 16 seat cars (Type B) for high traffic routes.  The 8 seat cars (left) are approximately the size of a large family sedan, are automatically controlled (no driver) and are available on demand 24/7 (even at 2:00 am).  The 16 seat car is an extended version of the 8 seat car.  A special car (Type C) for goods transport is also proposed.

Only people travelling to the same destination  as you will travel with you.  In off peak travel, you and your travelling companions will most likely be the only occupants of the car.

MonoCab VRT cars will travel at 100 km/h (10 km in 6 minutes) within cities and at 200 km/h (10 km in 3 minutes) between cities with no intermediate stops between the start and end of your journey.  Typical car average city speeds are 20km/h in peak hours and 40 km/h in off peak hours (refer graph below).  

Your journey will start within a few minutes of you entering the station saving you time and giving you greater flexibility (no more time tables).  This short wait enhances your personal safety as there is less time, hence less chance, of an undesirable person entering the station and causing you distress.  All stations will be equipped with security cameras.

The MonoCab VRT Tracks:-

The elevated tracks are constructed in the median of major highways and all arterial roads.  MonoCab VRT cars will travel along the same highways and arterial roads you now use (but a lot faster).  Mini-stations are provided at typical bus stop spacings with major stations at regional centres.  The cars leave the main track at the stations.

Construction Costs:-

The low construction cost (less than $7 million per kilometre) results in low loan repayments.  This,  combined with minimal staff numbers gives a low operational cost per kilometre.  The result - low fares. 

The Queensland State Government is currently detail planning the 13 kilometre, light rail, "rapid" transit system they propose between Broadbeach and Griffith University on the Gold Coast.  They have budgeted $949 million for this project.  That's $73 million per kilometre and this does not include the trams - these come later.

Transport Routes:- 

Typically, existing public transport systems radiate from the centre of cities.  If you wish to travel from, for example, a south eastern suburb to a south western suburb of a large city, you first have to travel to the city centre, wait for and change to another bus/train/tram, then travel to your destination (very time consuming and frustrating). 

With the MonoCab VRT rapid transit system, you travel directly from your originating suburb to your destination suburb along the same highways/roads you would normally travel in a car but at a much higher speed. 

Bicycles:-

Bicycles are going to figure more prominently in our travelling future.  In Australia in 2008,there were more new bicycles sold than new motor vehicles. At the City Development World conference in Sydney in June 2008, Mr Geoff Lawler, the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the City of Melbourne, noted in his presentation that they had seen a marked increase in the use of bicycles in Melbourne in the previous 12 months.

The MonoCab cars will accommodate an adult bicycle making it possible for you to ride your bicycle to the nearest MonoCab VRT station or mini station, take it with you in the MonoCab VRT car and then use it for the final part of your journey.  In doing so, you will save time and money, reduce fuel consumption and pollution and get some exercise as well.

Energy efficiency.

The best petrol engines achieve an efficiency of 27% and the best diesel engines approach 45% efficiency.  The efficiency of electric motors exceeds 85%.

The MonoCab VRT cars have 2 electric motors (one each end) driving through automatic gearboxes.  Both motors are used to accelerate the cars from rest, then one is disconnected when the required transit speed is achieved.  The automatic gearboxes allow the motors to operate at their most efficient possible speed for the load conditions.

CO₂ emissions

The Australian Government have announced a target of a minimum 5% reduction in CO₂ emissions before 2020.

• Motor vehicles produce 16% of Australia’s CO₂ emissions.
• Reducing total travel distance of Australia’s motor vehicles by 32% = 5% CO₂ reduction.
• The MonoCab VRT rapid transit system can achieve this by removing cars from the road.

Traffic congestion

Your observation of peak hour traffic on any highway or arterial road will reveal that most cars contain only one occupant - the driver on the way to or from work.  Why would you drive to work if you could get there faster and cheaper in a MonoCab VRT car with greater safety and less stress?  An added bonus - you save on parking fees.

Peak oil:-

There has been much debate about “peak oil” in the last few years.  The reality - it’s a not a case of IF only WHEN. The International Energy agency thinks that “WHEN” is “NOW”. more....

Water supply:-

The sails under the track were originally incorporated for aesthetic and safety reasons.

Then their water harvesting potential was realised.  The water collected will be of high quality as it will not have been in contact with the ground or any vegetable matter. 

With basic treatment (dependent on local pollution levels), the water can be pumped directly into the water reticulation system.  Potable water supply is of increasing concern in many parts of the world.

MonoCab VRT and the Weather:-

Adverse weather conditions will have negligible effect on the operation of the MonoCab VRT rapid transit system.  Extremely high winds (e.g. cylones) may require the cars' speed to be reduced for passenger comfort.  Rainfall of any intensity wll have no impact whatsoever.  Flooding certainly will not as the tracks will be well above flood level.

For example, in December 2009, Great Britain, in particular, was paralysed by extremely heavy snowfalls.  The would have been no impact on a MonoCab VRT rapid transit system.  The cars would have acted as their own snowploughs clearing the 300 mm wide track as they went. 

Population Decentralisation:-

For many years, there has been a worldwide trend for population movement to the larger cities for their employment, educational, social and recreational opportunities and advantages.  This trend has placed a great strain on public infrastructures such as transport, water and sewerage.

The MonoCab VRT solution will revitalise many rural towns that are now slowly dying or enable the creation of new satellite cities/towns within a reasonable time proximity of major centres. 

A 100 km journey to work or play will only take 30 minutes utilising the high speed (200km/h) MonoCab VRT.  Many commuters spend much more time than this on a daily basis now.

A Quick Comparison:-