Shweeb
{{Short description|Proposed personal rapid transit network}}
{{more citations needed|date=September 2015}}
Shweeb is a proposed personal rapid transit network in New Zealand, based on human-powered monorail cars. The project prototype was originally designed and implemented in Rotorua, New Zealand, as a leisure attraction. The name is a reference to the German "zu schweben" meaning "to hang/hover/levitate",{{cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/innovation/10/12/shweeb.urban.transport/index.html|title=Why did Google give $1 million to Schweeb?|website=CNN }} and indirectly to the suspended monorail Schwebebahn Wuppertal.
The proposed Shweeb transit network relies on recumbent bicycle technology to power pods suspended from monorails. According to Shweeb Monorail Technology, the intent of their proposal is to "create a solution which provided the user with the same flexibility and comfort offered by the car but without the consequential costs - both direct financial and indirect health and environmental costs."{{cite web
| url = http://www.gizmag.com/the-shweeb-human-powered-monorail/9678/
| title = The Shweeb Human-powered monorail
| author = Jack Martin
| date = July 23, 2008
| publisher = GizMag
| access-date = July 16, 2012}} The proposal envisions networks of monorail track providing point to point and commuter transit for urban areas.
Proposals
In September 2010, a proposal for development of an expanded network was chosen to receive a million dollars of funding from Google as part of project 10100.{{cite web
| url = http://www.project10tothe100.com/index.html
| title = Project 10 to the 100 - Idea: Drive innovation in public transport
| date = October 2011
| publisher = Google
| access-date = July 16, 2012}} As of August 2017, there were no active proposals to utilise the system for public transportation although a "sport resort" in the United States is considering it.{{Cite web |last=Lavalley |first=Amy |date=2016-02-26 |title=That sporting life |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/ct-ptb-sports-dome-develop-st-0228-20160226-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220813190204/https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/ct-ptb-sports-dome-develop-st-0228-20160226-story.html |archive-date=2022-08-13 |access-date=2022-08-13 |website=Chicago Tribune}} In January 2021, a proposal was made for a Shweeb track be built as an attraction in a planned stadium in Christchurch, New Zealand. The monorail would be suspended out from main frame of the new stadium.{{cite news |title=Businessman wants 'Superman' monorail ride to go with Christchurch's new stadium |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/124377071/businessman-wants-superman-monorail-ride-to-go-with-christchurchs-new-stadium |access-date=25 June 2021 |date=26 February 2021}}
The original track in Rotorua, New Zealand is open to the public.
Technical
=Track=
The track is built in folded galvanised steel. Its external height and width is {{convert|220|x|200|mm|}}. Support piles are also in galvanised steel.
=Pods=
Pods are covered with transparent plastic sheets, with ventilation holes. Front and rear long dampers are provided to limit the impact acceleration in case of pods collision and to ease the association of pods to build 'pod trains' which could significantly improve overall aerodynamic efficiency.
=External power boost=
To help climb ramps, an electrically powered chain installed on a track section could push the pods for a limited distance, in a way similar to the Trampe bicycle lift. This could also help entering stations built at a higher elevation than the track. The purpose of this elevation is to help a pod gain momentum while descending from station track to the main line track.
See also
- Hotchkiss Bicycle Railroad
- WireRoad/tarbato, a pedal powered suspended monorail developed in Nepal in 2004
- Velomobile
- Schwebebahn
- Suspended monorail
- Gadgetbahn
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{cite web|url=http://shweeb.com |title=Official Shweeb Internet site |access-date=2022-02-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310122232/http://shweeb.com/index.php |archive-date=2016-03-10 |url-status=dead}} Including pictures and videos of the Shweeb attraction device
- {{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103021253/http://www.shweeb-can.com/ |archive-date=2013-11-03 |url=http://www.shweeb-can.com/ |title=Shweeb-Can Corporation |url-status=usurped |access-date=2022-02-17}} North American website, includes CG images of Shweeb PRT network
- {{cite web |url=https://www.shweeb.co.nz/ |title=Shweeb Racer |access-date=2022-02-17}} Rotorua system's website
- [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhxVtUFZVzk Film of Rotorua system]
- [http://www.agroventures.co.nz/shweeb Agroventures - Rotorua Adrenaline Attractions], Rotorua shweeb
- [http://www.skyridetechnology.com/ Skyride] A similar system, used for leisure rides
{{coord|38|05|14.8|S|176|11|25.3|E|region:NZ-BOP_dim:1000_type:railwaystation|display=title|name=Shweeb}}
{{Automated trains and fixed-guideway transit}}
Category:Personal rapid transit
Category:Community bicycle programs
Category:Human-powered vehicles
Category:Monorails in New Zealand