Track Construction:-

The track concept is based on the use of  900WB 175 welded beams which are commercially available.  These beams are manufactured using steel plates and a continuous welding machine and will be fabricated in a specially built factory in a suitable location at the start of the first line.

After fabrication, they will be transported along the newly constructed MonoCab VRT track for erection.  This will significantly reduce construction costs and disruption to traffic. At the site, they will be erected using bridge construction techniques.

Computer Integrated Manufacturing:-

The manufacture of the tracks will be enhanced by the adoption the "CIM Steel" system (Computer Integrated Manufacturing) that has been recently developed and adopted in Europe.  In this process, the geometry of the steel is developed and structurally analysed in the engineer's office.  The final design data is then transmitted electronically directly to the fabrication shop for fast, computerised, "just in time" manufacture and immediate delivery to the site.  This process will give significant time and cost benefits.

Arterial Roads:-

The columns will be 750 - 900 mm diameter steel erected on suitable foundations at approximately 30 metre centres in the medians as shown on the left and below.

As a general rule there are few services in the medians, hence minimal changes to existing infrastructure will be required with the resultant cost and time benefits.

Overhead power lines and street lights will normally be the only services effected. The minimum clearance under the track will be 5 metres with a minimum of 6 metres at existing intersections to guard against impact from high loads.

Roads with No Medians:-

Where there is no median, the track can be erected as shown on the right where it is passes through an existing shopping precinct. 

Points:-

At each station/stop, this points system allows a car to be taken off the main line and not impede through traffic.  Cars either side of the car stopping will have their speed varied to allow sufficient time for this operation.  As a general rule, it will only be at these locations that any land acquisition/resumption may be required, once again, with cost and time benefits.

Gold Coast Track Layout:-

The tracks will be located on every arterial road and highway.  Preliminary estimates indicate that approximately 200 km of track will service the Gold Coast from Coomera to Coolangatta between the Pacific Highway (M1) and the beach. 

MonoCab VRT Stations....