Shweeb
Encyclopedia
Shweeb is a proposed personal transit network based on human-powered monorail
cars. The project prototype was originally designed and implemented in Rotorua
, New Zealand
as a leisure attraction. 38.0902°N 176.1952°W. In September, 2010, a proposal for development of an expanded network was chosen to receive funding from Google
as part of project 10100.
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 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." The proposal envisions networks of monorail track providing point to point and commuter transit for urban areas.
Monorail
A monorail is a rail-based transportation system based on a single rail, which acts as its sole support and its guideway. The term is also used variously to describe the beam of the system, or the vehicles traveling on such a beam or track...
cars. The project prototype was originally designed and implemented in Rotorua
Rotorua
Rotorua is a city on the southern shores of the lake of the same name, in the Bay of Plenty region of the North Island of New Zealand. The city is the seat of the Rotorua District, a territorial authority encompassing the city and several other nearby towns...
, New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
as a leisure attraction. 38.0902°N 176.1952°W. In September, 2010, a proposal for development of an expanded network was chosen to receive funding from Google
Google
Google Inc. is an American multinational public corporation invested in Internet search, cloud computing, and advertising technologies. Google hosts and develops a number of Internet-based services and products, and generates profit primarily from advertising through its AdWords program...
as part of project 10100.
The proposed Shweeb transit network relies on recumbent bicycle
Recumbent bicycle
A recumbent bicycle is a bicycle that places the rider in a laid-back reclining position. Most recumbent riders choose this type of design for ergonomic reasons; the rider's weight is distributed comfortably over a larger area, supported by back and buttocks...
technology to power pods suspended from monorails. According to Shweeb Monorail Technology, the intent of their proposal is to 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." The proposal envisions networks of monorail track providing point to point and commuter transit for urban areas.
Track
The track is built in folded galvanised steel. Its external height is 220mm x width 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.Chain propulsion
To help climb ramps, an electrically powered chain installed on a track section could push the pods on a limited travel. This could also help entering stations built at a higher elevation than the track. The purpose of this elevation is to help a pod gaining momentum while descending from station track to the main line track.Links
- Official Internet site Including pictures and videos of the Shweeb attraction device
- Film of Rotorua system
- Skyride, a similar system