A Pullway operates somewhat like a locomotive for a one-car train, but with added capability. It pulls cars along under a shoulder-mounted guideway comprised of a host of electric motors and automation equipment control modules (MOTAM’s). Using a “secure coupling” link to existing automobiles, the combination of guideway and MOTAM provides automated steering, spacing, and braking, greatly increasing capacity and safety. The Puget Pullway solution quickly adapts commuter cars to electric power, using the existing highway infrastructure, instead of trying to build yet another system.

MOTAMs and Guideway

The guideway is a robust overhead structure that provides the electric power, guide rails, and mechanical support for the MOTAMs. A box-like structure in cross-view, the guideway is loosely derived from the proven Morgantown, West Virginia model, which has been running an automated tram since 1979. The guideway provides safe protected electric power and mechanical support for the MOTAMs which do the actual towing, one per car. The structure of the guideway provides both steering and caliper/rail braking. It includes a path selector that chooses either “main or turnout” at the exits. This allows each unit to exit or continue. The mechanism has been used elsewhere for decades. Not dependent on road friction, the MOTAM’s automated braking system provides about 5 times better braking than current vehicle brakes. The MOTAM’s control systems, with weather immune rail brakes are the answer to higher capacity or freeway density, and real highway safety.

Also included is the larger stronger braking capability available by using the guideway flanges as the rotors of disk brakes. The moving part (in the MOTAM) pinches using hydraulic pressure, so it is free of gravity’s limits ad the skidding problem. These features are controlled according to radar-controlled variable pressure valves to avoid harshness, with even more deceleration available if needed.

Coupling Link

Commuter vehicles can be quickly adapted for this Pullway system with the addition of a coupling link for automated attachment to the towing arms of the MOTAM. While the coupling end from the tow bar is a standard design, some modifications on the vehicle side will require ongoing design and testing to meet the strength requirements of the Pullway system. Lightweight designs may result in increased headway spacing requirements and increased tolls.

Electrification - Safety and Volume Benefits

Putting the electric power and mobility components into the Pullway will provide almost instant transportation electrification, quickly reduce the commuter greenhouse gas emissions, and result in far safer highways. While the Puget Pullway Inc. solution is an electrification adaptation of a highway lane, using existing cars or mini-buses, the Pullway provides several novel benefits; controlled speeds and safe stopping during earthquakes, managed traffic flow in case of evacuation, and improved tunnel capacity. By limiting the height of the vehicles, we can separate passenger cars from commercial trucks allowing the trucks better freight mobility. Restricting vehicles to 77 inches high, enables installation of a parallel lane above the existing lane for terminal access and expanded capacity. We can move 5,400 vehicles per hour instead of the current max of 1,800 vehicles an hour. This compact capacity idea is applicable to floating bridges, tunnels (no exhaust fumes), and also adds to the safety increase by keeping the light vehicles out of the freight system.

Dual Mode and Controller Redundancy

The Pullway is a dual mode system—cars and minibuses on the same lane, controlled in our design by a three tiered digital system: A master controller at the HQ office, sector control managers spaced every few miles on the Pullway, and a module controller, or MOTAM controller, riding in the guideway. The designers call this control system a “shingle”, like water having to get through various layers of roofing to make it to the ceiling, failures are caught by the redundancy built into the system.

System Speed Ranges

The Pullway provides three speed ranges based on the degree of congestion in the area. For residential etc the speed will be about 35; for suburban, about 51; for rural about 68mph. The throughput is almost independent of speed; we will normally operate at 5400 VPH (veh/hr) in any segment.

Vehicle Signature and Toll Pricing

The Pullway tailors its performance based on vehicle “signature,” i.e., what enables the mini-bus and a car to operate well on the same roadway. The Pullway adjusts the toll rate according to requirements implied in the vehicle signature. If it needs more headspace due to flimsy body/frame structure, as determined by make and model tests on samples, the vehicle will be charged a higher toll. If the vehicle is very streamlined etc it will pay a smaller toll.

Improved Health and Safety

The ability to reduce and eliminate accidents will create demand for reduction in car insurance and will reduce the losses in health insurance due to prevention of injury. The power can be sustainable energy and non-polluting so we can all breathe easier.

On the subject of Innovation

Innovation must be recognized as a process more than just as an event. Maybe it should be displaced as a term by evolution, for most innovation is the result of continued perseverance toward specific objectives, leading to a definite and well defined set of performance goals.

This mode of increasing transportation is so unique, it requires a new way of thinking about the problem. The term “paradigm shift” is applicable here.

Scale models have been used, as in aircraft design, where models as small as 3%, respecting the modeling rules expressed by ratios such as Reynolds number, enable model similarity to full scale.

Computer models are the state of the art in the complex technologies of today, saving tremendously on development costs and allowing thorough experimentation.

The Pullway is an innovative solution to the age-old problem of transportation of people and freight.  When the math and science is examined this innovation takes root and the guideway makes perfect sense.

The Pullway is green in many regards.

A Pullway only uses 1/3 the power of a car. In this case the power can be green/sustainable, so the 30 kW used is oil free, and pollution free. After direct expenses, the Pullway saves you 7.3¢ per mile/per car.  

A Pullway, using electricity from the grid, can save 7.3¢ per car-mile, after cost of power and 2¢/mile taxes are paid. If the average trip is 10 miles, the windfall per car is 73¢.

The provision of better brakes and guideway raises lane capacity to a top of 90 vehicles per minute.  The increased capacity results from shortening the stopping distance and getting rid of 3/4 second human reaction time.

This vacates space on conventional lanes which creates a truck or freight corridor, adding capacity as though one had created two additional lanes.

The added capacity is a boon to all users.