A dual-mode vehicle (DMV) is a vehicle that can operate on conventional road surfaces as well as a railway track or a dedicated track known as a " guideway". The development of these vehicles started together with

personal rapid transport Personal rapid transit (PRT), also referred to as podcars or guided/railed taxis, is a public transport mode featuring small low-capacity automated vehicles operating on a network of specially built guideways. PRT is a type of automated guideway ...

systems in 1950s or even earlier. Dual-mode vehicles are commonly electrically powered and run in dual-mode for power too, using batteries for short distances and low speeds, and track-fed power for longer distances and higher speeds. Dual-mode vehicles were originally studied as a way to make electric cars suitable for inter-city travel without the need for a separate engine. Dual-mode transit describes transportation systems in which dual-mode vehicles operate on both public roads and on a guideway; thus using two modes of transport. In a typical dual-mode transit system, private vehicles comparable to automobiles would be able to travel under driver control on the street, but then enter a guideway, which may be a specialized form of railway or monorail, for automated travel over an extended distance. More recently, starting in the 1990s, several dual-mode

mass transit Public transport (also known as public transportation, public transit, mass transit, or simply transit) is a system of transport for passengers by group travel systems available for use by the general public unlike private transport, typical ...

systems have appeared, most notably a number of

rubber tyred tram A rubber-tyred tram (also known as tramway on tyres, french: tramway sur pneumatiques) is a development of the guided bus in which a vehicle is guided by a fixed rail in the road surface and draws current from overhead electric wires (either ...

s and

guided bus Guided buses are buses capable of being steered by external means, usually on a dedicated track or roll way that excludes other traffic, permitting the maintenance of schedules even during rush hours. Unlike trolleybuses or rubber-tired tra ...

es. The subset of dual-mode vehicles using conventional railtracks and roads are called road–rail vehicles.

Technology

Similar to model trains, the ground level power supply is transported through the metal track to the vehicle. Because of the health risks with higher voltages in real systems, the power rail is only switched on when a vehicle is covering the section, to prevent

pedestrian A pedestrian is a person traveling on foot, whether walking or running. In modern times, the term usually refers to someone walking on a road or pavement, but this was not the case historically. The meaning of pedestrian is displayed with ...

s from being injured. This system is used for trams in Bordeaux is called ''Alimentation par Sol'' .

Hybrid vehicle A hybrid vehicle is one that uses two or more distinct types of power, such as submarines that use diesel when surfaced and batteries when submerged. Other means to store energy include pressurized fluid in hydraulic hybrids. The basic princip ...

s differ from dual-mode vehicles because they may not be fed by another energy source during operation. Dual-mode systems under development include the TriTrack, the RUF, Roam Transport's CargoRail and JR Hokkaido DMV. Dual-mode transit seeks to address a similar audience as

personal rapid transit Personal rapid transit (PRT), also referred to as podcars or guided/railed taxis, is a public transport mode featuring small low-capacity automated vehicles operating on a network of specially built guideways. PRT is a type of automated guideway ...

but with the capability to "travel the first and last miles off-guideway using onboard energy storage". A recent dual-mode transit system was put into operation on 25 December 2021 by Asa Seaside Railway Company in the Shikoku region.

Logistics

On the main urban arterial streets a catenary system may serve both public transport and freight forwarders. This has great synergic effects making the operation of trolleybuses more efficient because of the additional income from freight forwarders. The operation of dual-mode trucks is not bound to the electric system. The distance from the logistics center to the inner city is driven in a conventional way. Also, there is the possibility to reach all clients aside the catenary system.

Motivation

Cities with slow air exchange (inversion) and high emission figures (

particulate matter Particulates – also known as atmospheric aerosol particles, atmospheric particulate matter, particulate matter (PM) or suspended particulate matter (SPM) – are microscopic particles of solid or liquid matter suspended in the air. The ter ...

PM₁₀, PM_2.5, NO_x, Ozone) caused by diesel-powered vehicles, need a way to reduce big pollution sources. Commercial diesel-fueled vehicles are prime targets because of their high NO_x and PM emissions caused by the lack of sufficient pollution controls. Dual-mode vehicles are also considered as a solution to the first-mile and last-mile problem. The same dual-mode vehicle can make the journey to and from a station using existing infrastructure.

References

External links

EV-World: "The DualMode EV Revolution"RUF Dual Mode Transport SystemsTriTrack Dual Mode Transport SystemsPuget Pullway
also about dual-way vehicle
MonoMobile DM Vehicle
* ttps://asatetu.com/en/ ASA Seaside Railway Corporation {{DEFAULTSORT:Dual-Mode Vehicle Public transport by mode

Technology

Logistics

Motivation

See also

References

External links