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The Future of Transportation at WDW
- Thread starter leebier
- Start date
jmarc63
New Member
Tyler maybe you should be part of that advisory committe that you keep turning down and suggest this. It might be something I could get to likeOriginally posted by Fantasia Boi
Well, I have no idea if Disney is looking into it... I doubt it... but, who knows what the future has in store for us.Like I always say, I'll beleive it when I see it.
However, I personally think this system has potential to be a very cool transit system.
jmarc63
New Member
Originally posted by Fantasia Boi
They are optically guided... I don't know how it works... but... it *DOES* work... lol
Tyler question if you can answer.
First do you know where ther using these busses in Vegas.
Also I remember seeing something on PBS with Alan Alda on his science program about artificial tracking like this bus has. Some university was developing this for some transit project. the entire program was on developement of A I related technologies.I thought it was still a long way off and needed more refinement . But I guess its ready to go for that system. It sounds like the same thing i saw where a camera was attached to a computer and tracked the pavement markings to guide it.
CmdrTostada
Member
I remember a couple years back that, i think it was the San Diego transportation commitee, did an experiment. They put one of those tracking things that steered the bus, they tested on the highway for about 5 miles and it worked.
I must say that this is one of the better ideas i've seen. Yes, I like the monorails but fully understnd their limitations (read other 25 page discussion). I do feel that some BRT should be built as Tyler mentioned. Actually there are areas where alot of BRT could be built. This could be done in the medium of some of the larger thruways on the property.
With this system Disney could also defer the cost over a greater amount of time. They would have the initial cost of setting the system up, some BRT lanes, and other costs such as some stations and walk overs but they could over time add more BRT lanes to the point that the CIVIS hardly uses any of the roads that the guests drive on. This part would be done along the lines of expanding the roadway such as they have done for the past 30 years. It could be years before the full system saw it's potential but owuld defiantly have an immedite impact.
The last thing I like is that Tyler stated it could use different kinds of fuel. This is even more helpful at deferring the cost by letting use a cheaper technology now and slowly convert to more enviromentally friendly technologies as they become more reliable and cost effective.
All in all probably something Disney should look into.
With this system Disney could also defer the cost over a greater amount of time. They would have the initial cost of setting the system up, some BRT lanes, and other costs such as some stations and walk overs but they could over time add more BRT lanes to the point that the CIVIS hardly uses any of the roads that the guests drive on. This part would be done along the lines of expanding the roadway such as they have done for the past 30 years. It could be years before the full system saw it's potential but owuld defiantly have an immedite impact.
The last thing I like is that Tyler stated it could use different kinds of fuel. This is even more helpful at deferring the cost by letting use a cheaper technology now and slowly convert to more enviromentally friendly technologies as they become more reliable and cost effective.
All in all probably something Disney should look into.
niteobsrvr
Well-Known Member
finally something that makes sense, doesnt require high capital investment for infastructure and looks cool.
Also dont forget, electric busses are not environmentally friendly. Anything that runs on electricity produces pollution whether its directly from running the vehicle's generator or some distant power plant that sends power through lines overhead.
Also dont forget, electric busses are not environmentally friendly. Anything that runs on electricity produces pollution whether its directly from running the vehicle's generator or some distant power plant that sends power through lines overhead.
Invero
Well-Known Member
I was wondering where you went...
But yes... it's an interesting set up... I have a few questions and concerns about it, but it could potentially be a really cool new form of transit.My primary question/concern about the system is... Can the optical guidance system work during incliment weather, and/or nighttime conditions? I'm assuming in the case that the guidance system has trouble "steering", the driver would steer the vehicle themselves. I'm going to do a bit more research, and when I find out, I'll post my findings.
Invero
Well-Known Member
JMarc63: This is what I found out about the location of Las Vegas' CIVIS system
http://www.siemens-ts.com/pagesUS/realisations/LasVegas.htm
http://www.siemens-ts.com/pagesUS/realisations/LasVegas.htm
kaos
Active Member
does this mean that the 7 Mark IV's that Vegas purchased from WDW are not going to be used? Last I heard was that the monorail line was almost completed. Back when I was out there, I was able to ride the test line between Bally's and MGM. It was fun seeing the old trains again.. Brought back pleasant memories. And yes, they still had the cheesy tan vinyl seats.
MaxPower
Member
Originally posted by Fantasia Boi
My primary question/concern about the system is... Can the optical guidance system work during incliment weather, and/or nighttime conditions? I'm assuming in the case that the guidance system has trouble "steering", the driver would steer the vehicle themselves. I'm going to do a bit more research, and when I find out, I'll post my findings.
A few thoughts:
1. Is it possible that the lack of having to steer all of the time would make the system safer by allowing the driver to focus on safety -- pedestrians or other vehicles? Or would it induce drivers into a false sense of security that would make them more lax?
2. Some accountanteer would have to love the idea of these guideways with grass in the middle -- less cost to build and maintain.
3. If WDI is not looking at this, they need to be. Is there some reason that you are apprehensive about bringing this concept to the attention of someone higher up? Would you be punished for thinking in your free time?!? Maybe Disney doesn't believe this, but I believe employees who are trying to foster innovation and make the company better in their free time deserve to be listened to.
jmarc63
New Member
The Beamwork isn't as near compleation as you think. go to http://www.monorails.org/los
the bally's/MGM line wasn't built to be a test it was built to shuttle guests from one casino to the other, It was originaly a novelty but someone got a bright idea to use it as the seed line for the vegas transportation system, as far as getting rid of the MarkIV's I think they will use them as backups if they dont put them in regular service.
Dizneydude87
New Member
Ok, this is kinda sorta off topic, but umm.... about 4 or 5 years ago, when I was at Disney, I would take the monorail from TTC to MK, and the monrail line next to us (I guess going to Epcot) [B4 you would get into Contemporary] would have an unfinished track. But it was after Epcot opened, a long time after. Is it possible I could have been dreaming this, or could they have been doing maitnence?:hammer: :brick:
Chad
New Member
I was so glad I found this thread! Yee-haw! Made me smile!
Anyways...A dew thougts/questions
I take it that these 'BRT's' are seperated into seperate cars, they'd have to be, how many cars can they have? Could we have them as long as the parking-lot trams? If so, that would be another good quality about them, if you could add and remove trains, anyways..more flexible. Add 2 or 3 extra cars on during park closing/opening times, and take them off during mid-day..
Other thought: I wonder if anyone has considered implementing the GPS guidance system that is used in Tokyo? I heard it was very reliable, tracking location to a fraction of an inch...I'd think that it would be useful here, maybe even as just a backup system...Just a thought.
Also:
My only complaint about this system would be that it wouldn't thematically fit in everywhere, ECSPECIALLY at Fort Wilderness, I still think they need a traditional train to connect FW and WL to the TTC....
Anyways...A dew thougts/questions
I take it that these 'BRT's' are seperated into seperate cars, they'd have to be, how many cars can they have? Could we have them as long as the parking-lot trams? If so, that would be another good quality about them, if you could add and remove trains, anyways..more flexible. Add 2 or 3 extra cars on during park closing/opening times, and take them off during mid-day..
Other thought: I wonder if anyone has considered implementing the GPS guidance system that is used in Tokyo? I heard it was very reliable, tracking location to a fraction of an inch...I'd think that it would be useful here, maybe even as just a backup system...Just a thought.
Also:
My only complaint about this system would be that it wouldn't thematically fit in everywhere, ECSPECIALLY at Fort Wilderness, I still think they need a traditional train to connect FW and WL to the TTC....
Invero
Well-Known Member
Las Vegas only purchased 2 trains from us, and had a company completely rebuild them. I can't remember the name of the company off the top of my head though. At any rate, these two trains will be retired from service when the new Bombardier MVI trains come in. (Note... they are "MVI"... "Em Vee Eye" ... not Mark VI or VII... that's a Disney nomenclature...)
Invero
Well-Known Member
Indeed, I thought about this as well... and it is a very very valid point... However, the driver is still responsible for acceleration and deceleration... so, they'd still have to keep thier eyes on the road to determine proper speed. One thing to note, one of the articles described monitors on the dash board that monitored the interior of the CIVIS, as well as the doorways... I'm wondering if these turn on/off when the vehicle is in motion?
One thing I thought about that... According to the article... the optical guidance system supposedly relies on dotted lines in the road... how is it going to see them if they're replaced by grass? And while we're on the topic, how does it see during heavy rain? I'm wondering if the system could be fitted with digital transponders buried below the grass/pavement or whatnot... thus allowing more attractive guideways.
I agree, the system is definetly worth looking into, and does hold a lot of potential. As for me bringing it to my higher ups... Well... *shrug* no one I have any contact with has anything to do with any of this, Im afraid. I have a hard enough time trying to get much much smaller issues dealt with... *sigh* But I keep trying...
I would tend to agree... While I do know that our Imagineers have worked hard to earn thier college/masters degrees in their particular field... and I know they know more about design than I do... I really wish they'd actually drive a bus before designing a load zone that doesnt work. Or at least, listen to the drivers. The Polynesian Bus stop... all they did was plunk down a "BUS STOP IS HERE" sign on the side of the road... I have to drive into the bushes to board a guest travelling with a wheelchair... I block traffic, so cars pass me with oncoming traffic and pedestrians crossing... an accident waiting to happen. Or load zone 7 at the studios... physically IMPOSSIBLE to get a 40ft bus in properly, and very very very difficult to board a guest travelling with a wheelchair. But... *shrug* what do I know... I just drive busses.