RUF Dual-Mode Concept
An intriguing mode of transportation currently being studied in Denmark is the RUF Intelligent Auto/Transit concept. RUF (which means "go fast" in Danish) is a concept that
represents an integration of personal auto convenience and rail transit
efficiency. It utilizes small- and medium-sized electric intelligent
vehicles that can be operated on the conventional roadway system as well
as on an automated rail system. In the manual mode, it would be powered by on-board batteries
and have a range of up to 50 km on the conventional street system. A
hybrid version of the vehicle has also been conceptualized that would
extend this off-rail range considerably. In the automated mode, it would
be able to take power from the rail system and operate at high speed over
longer distances. This combination of integrated operating modes would
provide the user with the ability to reach the vast majority of
destinations in a large metropolitan region quickly and without having to
deal with the congestion delays and accident hazards that exist on
conventional freeway/arterial systems.
RUF vehicles enter onto the guideway from existing road ROWs.
The RUF vehicle can be owned by individuals or by the public. Personal
RUF vehicles would normally be kept at a person's residence or parked
at/near his/her workplace. Public vehicles would be available at all rail
system stations and could be rented as needed by individuals or small
groups (2-4 people). Larger MAXI-RUF vehicles would be operated like small
buses (10 persons) on the automated rail system And, special versions
could be used by businesses to move goods. All vehicles would have an
"A-shaped" slot running down the center of their undersides so that they
could be operated on a single rail (monorail) at high speeds. While
traveling on the rail, their operation would be fully automated and the
occupants would not have any responsibilities for the control of the
vehicle. The control system would insure that travel would be congestion
and accident free. It would also be able to "train" (i.e.connect)
vehicles together on the rail to obtain higher operational efficiencies by
reducing air resistance.
More RUF Background...
Some RUF concept Frequently Asked Questions...
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