Calculate the Opportunity

We are looking to market a consortium for$15 million with multiple partner (s) to build a test and use it for sales  that further markets and a public vote to authorize privately owned franchises in  Colorado. We need this funding paid in over 2 years  while the necessary engineering and marketing are completed. We may want to apply for  patent (s).  The  $15 million  will complete the following tasks:

Guideway Evaluation and Design Completed A national team of transit experts has been assembled to collaborate and offer peer review for any engineering, especially the critical factors required to achieve the guideway target cost of $ 7.5 million per mile, with automation controls and electrical propulsion included.  Martin/Martin headed the design team for the following tasks: 

1) Review, with their affiliate, Kent Bingham, the existing technologies and companies that have accumulated knowledge in this area.
2) Evaluate and synthesize the best of these elements into conceptual schematics of an operating system. Criteria for inclusion will be cost of the guideway, speed, safety, time to construct, reliability, and cost of operations.
3) Reconfigure into a workable design and produce a detailed estimate of construction costs.
4) Test the design utilizing computer simulations.
5) Report these findings to a peer group in the transportation industry for critique and  review using Internet and computer network distribution. 
6) Revise the design and estimate cost based on peer review input.

Use of Funds
Engineering ($1,640,000) Starting with conceptual schematics on the Guideway, vehicles, propulsion and automation, the design team will take the preliminary design far enough to apply for a patent, bid the components and build a mock up. A small section of Guideway and switch will be built by the engineers as a mock to perform testing and demonstrate the technology for Patent and to prospective development consortium sponsors.  The  mock up will be equipped with monitoring devices to measure the performance variables, such as automation controls, vibration, acceleration, and braking.  Initial testing will focus on  automation controls and switching. Based on  performance of the vehicle, the prototype will be refined and made ready for a demonstration model in a local loop configuration.

Build at grade Test Track  $1,100,000 A  test track will be assembled  and laid out with the following components  

This will allow for a dress rehearsal on assembly and provide for the study of the various component technologies which include switching at operating speeds, stability on sharp curves, braking, construction techniques, automation controls, merging, docking, loading and propulsion. The test track may  be disassembled and all the components reused in the demonstration model for a  local loop.

Results The expected results are: (1) a critical analysis of the viability of the Guideway, vehicle design, propulsion and automation controls with specific individual components, in achieving the operating goals. (2) verification of that the design will not exceed the cost of $10 million per mile. (3) Enough proof-of-concept engineering to persuade investors that the project deserves to be built. 

Build and test 4 chassis ($600,000) Build test chassis with primary emphasis on the automation and propulsion system.  This will consist mainly purchasing an exiting vans, stripping them down to the chassis and modifying  into the chassis shown in "Prototype" The cabin may not be part of this vehicle. The  testing program will measure the chassis performance of propulsion, turning, acceleration, guidance, wheel adhesion factors, braking, system controls and safety standards at various speeds.

Economic feasibility computer model ($150,000)  An Investment Banking and/or accounting firm(s) will be selected to research the assumptions used in calculating economic feasibility including the design and testing of a computer model that shows the magnitude of business necessary  to generate a market rate  returns from a 5 mile operating demonstration.

Automation Command and Controls $1,500,000 The test track will evaluate various software using a packetized concept which divides the ¼ mile (1320’) track into 100 packets of 13.2 feet which is also the length of each chassis or golf cart.  Testing will include command instrumentation configurations such as Global Satellite Positioning systems, buried cable and WI wireless. The expected result are specifications starting, stopping speed, merging and switching controls for a 5 mile operating demo with passengers in the next step. Testing will be at 30mph resulting in 44’ per second design criteria for curves, switching, ramps and power. A software purchase or joint development contract may be negotiated with a systems integration company from aerospace, computers or automotive industries to design a vehicle management system. 

Administration ($400,000) The founders and a staff totaling 6 will manage the flow of packaging details including clerical, reporting, accounting, fax, computer, scheduling, conferences, media relations, web site and marketing. The management team has worked for 5 years without pay or expenses reimbursement to get this project to the point of consideration by investors and government. Some of these costs will be returned.