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SKYBUS

ABSTRACT

The most precious asset in growing areas is the land. Allocations to residential

and commercial purpose put heavy pressure on land for public use like parks and

open spaces apart from very important and critical roadways. Hardily 6% to a

maximum of 18% of land in cities form roadways. The roadways once laid, almost

remain constant at best and may effectively reduced by uncontrolled

encroachment. The physical constrains of road area being constant as population

increases, naturally loads on roads increases. Roads take one exactly to the

point where one wants to go. But the capacity is limited in terms of passengers

per hour that can be handled. Even if one wants to go by bus, need to maintain

the breaking distance between two buses and the space maintained between

them affects speed as well as limits per lane what capacity can be achived.

When mass transits , that too at higher speed is required rail based systems

only can handle. This has made the sky bus technology an attractive proposition.

CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION

Cities around the world are facing an acute problem of traffic congestion

due to ever increasing urbanization . The road infrastructure has not kept pace

with the demand put on it. In India vehicle population has increased from 3

lakhs in 1951 to about 270 lakhs at present. As against this road network

expanded only 5 times from 4 lakh kms to 20 lakh kms.

With limited space availability and increasing number of vehicles,

managing and routing them have become hercules task

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1.1. The metro commuter demands:

1 Least travel time.

2. Low charges.

3. More comfort in travel.

4. High frequency of services.

5. More accessibility to rail transit.

Decentralising of the road traffic is the best solution for traffic

congestion in cities.

1.2. In India, there are 3 techniques of decentralising :

1. Elevated rail metro system

2. Underground metro system..

3. Surface railway system.

Elevated Railway

It technically cannot reach truly congested central busy roads where the mass

transport is needed. It is also too invasive and may require dislocation of some

portions of habitat as well as introduces noise pollution.

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Underground Railway

It is less invasive on surface but still poses technically challenging and has to

manage risks to fires and evacuations. If road vechiles are involved, in

inter-nodal transfers, it becomes weak link in the chain of transport between

walking and railway. Both modes suffer from derailments and capsizing killing

commuters.

Surface Railway

It is impossible to lay in an existing city. But even to lay the same in a new

development, one should keep in mind what happens after 50 years of laying

the same.

Almost close to 1000 persons die annually because of trespassing or falling from

trains in our present system. In addition vulnerable to minor vandalism by

urchins but resulting in grievous injuries like losing sight for the commuters.

Again this mode cannot follow roads, so that weak link of road vehicles has to be

brought in for inter-nodal transfers. Derailment, collisions and capsizing

concerns remain with loss of life.

An ideal solution is one which:-

1. Follows the existing roads but does not take road space and be

as flexible as a bus.

2. Have rail based mass transit capacity.

3. Does not divide city while providing integration along its

alignment.

4. Be derailment and collision proof with No capsizing of coaches

so that there can never be loss of life.

5. Be free from vandalism

6. Nose free and pollution free.

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7. Non-invasive requiring the least amount of scaree land space

and not come in the way of development.

Every administration was in search of such a system. The new

technological solution of the K R C L ( Konkan Railway Corporation Limited) in

terms of sky bus metros is based on the concept of sky wheels presented in

1989 at world congress for Railway research. Sky bus is a form of M R T S

(Metro Rapid Transit System) in which rolling stack hangs on wheel. This

innovative alternative transportation solution completely eliminates any

probability of vandalism accidents and is virtually maintenance free. It is

running successfully in many of the developed countries like Japan, France,

Germany etc.

6. TECHNOLOGY

It consists of well proven, heavy 52 kg/m placed at standard gauge floating in

elastic medium and damped by inertia of measured mass held in a 8m x 2m

concrete box enclosure, supported over 1 m diameter columns spaced at 15m

from each other, in the divider space between lanes on a road way at a height of
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8m above road surface-provides the support and guidance for powered bogies

which can run at 100kmph, with coach shell suspended below, carry passengers

in air conditioned comfort, can follow existing roads routes, while existing

traffic on road continues. The fixed structure at 8m hight above the road level

with a ground clearance 5.5m below the sky bus roads which is aesthetically

pleasing and there is no concern of claustrophobic feeling for road users.

Sky bus metro falls under tramway category. Since it operates along

existing road ways and within municipal limits, hence excluded from indian

railway act.

The four components that make in sky bus are:-

SKY WAY

In the middle of roadway pile foundations support 1m diameter column

approximately 8m high and space at 15m along the road way.

The sky way consist of a concrete box structure carry over a series of

piers at height of 8m above existing road level.

Two rail fixed with appropriate fastenings with in the concrete box

support and guide the bogie.

There are no points and crossings

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SKY BOGIE

Standard two axle bogies used in metros for speeds of 100 km ph are

used of standard gauge.

Linear induction motor technology is incorporated with fourth rail driving

which is above the bogie or three phase AC motors.

Third rail is used for current collection.

Braking -bogie mounted.

Regenerative.

Disc brakes

Emergency mechanical brakes.

SKYCOACHES

Double walled light shells with wide large windows are suspended from the

sky bogies

Controlled banking on curves even 100m radious curves can be handled.

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Air condition with automatic doors.

Audio Visual information to passengers.

Special 4m wide sliding doors for quick entry and exit of passengers.

SKY STATION

Unlike conventional mass transit systems, sky bus needs smaller stations.

Service is every 30 seconds or 1 minute that is virtually no waiting time

for passenger.

Totally automated with out drivers or guards and access control is also

electronic by prepaid cards being swiped in.

Traverser

There are no points and crossings. The traverser is the system, which

automatically shifts the sky bus units for balancing the loads/ changing routes

too as well as shift units to depot lines etc. Proven technologies and a very

simple solution by merely re-engineering the components constitute Sky Bus

Salient Features
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Gauge Standard Gauge - 1435 mm

Gradient 1 in 60 max (but can take up to 1 in 25)
Minimum radius of curvature -50 m (exceptional) 75 m
Curves
(normal) follows roadway
Platform Access Automatic turnstiles
Coach Access Automatic doors
Three phase power supply- converted to 750 V DC - 3rd
Power Supply
rail current collection
Moving Block, Auto Driving Device,Anti Collision Device
Type of Signaling
developed by Konkan Railway
Average Speed 36 to 47 Km/h depending on Station intervals
Max. Speed 100 Km/h
Capacity Maximum 150 * 2 passengers at 5.6 persons /sq m
Acceleration 1.3m / sec/sec (max)
Frequency of
40 Seconds to 1 Minute
Service/Headway
Weight (Twin car) Max. 48 T (loaded)
Distance between Sky
0.5 Km to 1.2 Km
Stations
Coach Air - Conditioned comfort
Max. Passenger per 18000 to 81000 (1 Sky Bus consist with 60 seconds and
hour per direction 3 Sky Bus consists with 40 seconds headway
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Length * Width 9.25m * 3.15 m

Height 2.40 m
Material Steel + Poly-carbonate
Type of propulsion 3 ph AC asynchronous motors
Motor Rating 4 * 110 KW
Commuter rate of flow
300 Nos. in 15 seconds
from Bus
Differently enabled
Special access facility & audio- visual information.
persons

Sky Bus Technologies

Sky Rail- Alternative to railway in mountains

Rugged lifeline over mountains and valleys.

Sky Rail, a Konkan Railway innovation is a Broad Gauge double Railway line

designed to negotiate mountainous terrain characterized by steep gradients up

to 1:1 and sharp curves up to 20 meters in radius to safely, speedily transport

passengers and freight to better performance characteristics as compared to

conventional railways. It is similar to Sky Bus Metro but differs in higher load

carrying capacity and diesel electric haulage.

Each passenger STU consists of a double-decker coach suspended from two

bogies while the freight STU is a steel cage. It is sturdy enough to carry army

tanks and heavy cargo or provides Ro-Ro service.

Skycon- Improving port system working efficiency

Skycon system helps in streamlining the movement of containers in the ports.

Loading and unloading of containers in a ship is handled at 10 times faster rate

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than the best system available on date. It also enables intermodal integration

between ports, railways and roadways efficiently.

PICTORIAL REPRESENTATION OF A SKY BUS UNIT

7. ADVANTAGES

Fast transportation :

Every minute passenger would get air condition travel facility, covering

distances at more than 45kmph average speed at just 15 per km

No run over accidents :

In big metros like Mumbai, two or three deaths occurs daily on the railway

tracks , with total causalities reaching almost 500-600 per year. This can be

avoided on the sky bus

Deep penetration :
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The sky bus follows existing busy roads, thus reaching the heart of the city

while decongesting the roads.

Capacity :

The skybus can handle 15000-50000 persons per hour per direction and can

still cater to growing needs.

Social concern for the displaced Bus/Tasi/Auto drivers and workers:-

A taxi / auto driver actually takes a loan and operates his vehicle. Similarly

companies owing taxis employing persons to drive also have to invest first in

taxis. Now both the categories will use the same money to invest in sky Bus

metro shares, there is a scheme where for every Rs.15,000/- invested, the

shareholders is entitled to a gold card permitting him almost free travel or at

concession rate of 15paise/k m. So for Rs 2 or 3 lakhs of investments, one gets

15or 20 nos of such gold cards , which convert in to single journey cards say 30

in number which form a kiosk next to sky bus station he sells to floating

population of the city at say Rs 10 or 15, making a profit of more than Rs. 300 a

day- while sitting in one place. He does not have any worries of maintaining cars

or autos. Same goes for the companies owning buses and their workers.

No Vandalism.

It is not vulnerable to persons throwing stones as the tracks is in accessible,

there by ensuring passengers safety

Fire Protections :

Fastest evacuation can be facilitated in case of fire as compared to under

ground metros.

No Capsizing :
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If at all there is a derailment, the coach keeps hanging and does not fall down.

Hence no capsizing takes place as compared to over ground railways and under

ground metros.

No interference with normal road traffic :

The sky bus does not require road over / under bridges.

Fly over :

It can be build on roads with flyovers. Hence it is not an impediments

No land acquisitions problems :

Except for providing for right of way on existing road ways there will be no land

acquisition problems. only at terminal points, minimum areas of say 2000-4000

m2 will be required that too at places away from urban areas.

No demolition ;

Since there will be no demolition of structures or gardens there will be no

environmental hazards.

Low capital cost :

It working out to almost 50% of elevated rail system and 25% of under ground

metro system for same performance standards.

Low Operational Cost

Maintenance free tracks ,no track circuits or signals, points and crossing to

maintain.

Fast Clearance
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Since the system involves guide ways in the sky, which does not fall into an

exact definition of railway, the number of agencies involved in clearing and

executing the project will be minimum and only one authority and respective

state level will be created for implementing the project.

Fast Execution

According to KRCL the project can be completed and commissioned within 100

weeks and that is about 24 months.

No Pollution

Since it operates on electricity there will be no air or noise pollution. It is also

aesthetically pleasing.

No Force Majeure

It is insulated against floods, rains and obstruction on the track.

Use of Pre Fabricated Structral Members

The use of pre-Fabricated latest construction technology, would save time and

money in easy execution of the project in busy urban areas with out disturbing

the existing traffic patterns.

Use of IT Tools

Information technology tools have been used for economic communications and

controls .

8. CONSUMER BENEFITS

No trafic jams :-

This cuts down the travel time

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No waiting :-

There is a sky bus, every one minute.

Low Travel Cost :-

Share holders travel free while others would have to pay Rs.250/- only for

unlimited travel every month.

Comfort:-

All sky buses are air conditioned, thus providing excellent travelling

comfort.

No pollution:-

One can escape from the hazards of noise and air pollution.

Tourism:-

Enjoys the birds eye view of the city.

Easy Access:-

The user will have to walk a maximum distance of 500m to bard a sky bus.

Amenity:-

Senior citizen and the handicapped persons can avail of the lift facility.

Luxury :-

Clean and comfortable cafes, Business centre, Restaurants and

communication facilities with health parks will be made available on sky top.

9. ACCESS FACILITIES FOR DIFFERENTLY ENABLED PERSONS

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Access to station from ground - a special reserved lift is provided at every

station for use of only senior citizens and differently enabled persons.

6.2. The platform level and the coach floor level is kept exactly the same, so

that the wheel chairs can negotiate easily.

6.3. The electronic access gates have special gates, with a separate entry gate

reserved for wheel chairs and differently enabled persons so that the speed of

the gate opening and closure is controlled to give longer access time.

6.4. We are planning to issue special access cards designed for use by those

with poor eyesight and will not require very accurate swiping.

6.5. All the signage is being designed to give both audio and visual warning and

information. This should help those who are poor in hearing/speech/eyesight.

6.6.1 Every station and coach is manned. The primary duty of the person will be

not only to assist the normal citizens in getting accustomed t the technologically

advanced systems but also to help the differently enabled persons in boarding

as well as alighting the train.

6.6.2. In fact, we are planning that when a differently disabled person

swipes/presentls his card to the card reader, necessary messages are

automatically padded on to the attendants that such special persons have

entered the premises and may need extra care.

6.7. Both the station area as well as the area within a coach webcams provided

for continuous security monitoring in the central control and every coach also, is
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provided with central control and interactive video communication with the

central control.

6.8. A special tracking will be done by the computer system from the entry

point until the exit point, the moment a differently enabled person

checks in with his swiping card.

6.9. Within a coach special seats are provided only for differently enabled

persons, as well as, space close to the doors provided with collapsing clamping

arrangement for locking a wheel chair.

6.10. The coach attendant will not allow the train to start until the differently

enabled person is secured and safely seated.

In brief the facilities being planned are described as above. But , we are

open to any further suggestions to improve the system further.

10. ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS

Vehicles in metro areas contribute 70% of CO , 50% of HC, 30 to 40% of NO ,

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30% of SPM, and 10% of SO of total pollution in the cities.(Ministry Of

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Environment and Forests 1995)

Typically for Kolkata city, the quantum of population because of vechicles in the

city is as under:

TDP (tonnes per day)

Particulate 7.7

Carbon monoxide 175.6

Sulphur Dioxide 26.2

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Nitrogen Oxzide 12.9

Hydro Carbon 18

Almost 70% pollution in city is caused by vehicles. Dangerous levels of

pollution levels are reached in the city . West Bengal Pollution Control Broad

gives figures of 820,000 road vehicles in the city, with 4500 further vehicles

being added monthly.

According to World Bank report,(1996),Mumbais air pollution levels

particles smaller than 10 microns (PM 10) were much higher than standards set

by the World Health Organisation . Maximum values are Six times the

standards. Same is with nitrogen oxides emissions. The vechicles numbering

more than a million , and with density of 500 per sq. km is heading very fast to

a very serious crisis. About 69% pollution is due to vechicles.

In urban areas the problem is compounded further over and above the

density and numbers of vehicles, by the inefficient driving cycle- which

increases both fuel consumption per vehicle as well as emissions.

The CARB (California Air Resources Board) estimates that at 8 kmph HC

emissions are 23 times greater, CO emissions are 13 times greater , and NO

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emissions are about 4 times greater than at 32 kmph (Federal Urban Driving

Schedule AverageSpeed). At city- traffic speeds much higher emissions occur.

The urban driving cycle includes approximately 18% idle, 39.7%

accelerating ,22.7% time decelerating at close throttle , 12% time decelerating

under power and only 7.6% time at steady state speed. Periods of acceleration

and deceleration produce extremely high exhaust emissions, and time at idle

produce emissions with no benefit of distance being covered . So cities with

routes where one cannot travel at more than 15 kmph to 20 kmph average
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speeds- account for dangerous levels of pollution as well as inefficient fuel

burning costing the nation dearly.

Assuming a total of 10 million vechicles for the above mentioned Urban

Agglomerations, each consuming 5 liters of fuel a day, on average about 50

million liters of fossil fuel is cosumed- adding to that much pollution .Almost

75% of this goes for public transport like buses , taxis and autos. If alternate

public transport means are provided , like Sky Bus Metro , we may save this

fuel every day.

This amounts to about Rs 500 million a day of fuel bill savings- in terms of

imports. Or annually , about Rs 15000 cr- while total import bill is of the order

of Rs 60000 cr.

So an investment of about Rs 25000 cr in Sky Bus can give a saving of Rs

15000 cr in fuel import bill- recurring annually as also, catapult all our cities to

international standards of air quality.

But additional power generation for the cities at the rate of 60 to 100

megawatts for each city has to be provided for.

Whether this additional power for each urban agglomeration is drawn

from existing grid supply or plan for captive power plant- will have to be

examined.

Other Environmental benefits are:-

1. Noise-free and based on eletric traction having regeneration of energy

built in conserves energy and ultimately cost less than 5paise per passenger per

km.

2. Urban space and land is conserved.

3. Will not require human settlement to displaced, nor any existing parts,

habitates violated.

4. Friendly to differently enabled.

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5. Will have a positive effect on the road traffic by decongesting and allows

private cars and taxis ply at higher speeds improving fuel efficiency and

reducing pollution.

11. CONCLUSION

Any town or city with a population of 20 lakhs and 10km busy traffic route with

2 to 3 lakh journeys a day can implement the sky bus metro. The cost of putting

up the system is only twenty - fifty percent of other available alternative

system and is an economically viable , environmental friendly, and practical

solution to the transportation problem in any given metro city.

The system is viable if 3 lakh journeys materialize to a day. To avail the

sky Bus metro, over 20-30 km 2 area should be served by 10-20km of the sky

bus route. At least 3lakh community members residing in the sky bus metro

area or those who come to work in the area can own the sky bus metro.

The sky bus project will maintain world class standards and will place

India in the forefront of providing the much needed alternative transportation

solution which is financially viable, environmental friendly, synergising well

proven existing cutting edge technologies.

9. REFERENCES

1 Indian Highways -oct 98,nov95

2 Metropolitan transport planing- Jhon W. Dicky

3 www.sky bus.com

4 www.konkan railway.com