Emergency Operation:

 

The entire system would be designed to current seismic structural and operational standards.

 

The most likely failure mode would be from a utility power failure.

 

Because the power demands of the system fans are relatively low, the best solution would appear to be full capacity emergency generators to support the complete system power needs. These generators could be located at each stations. Power would be distributed alone the tube at 5KV to the fan locations.

 

If the air system does not contain sufficient kinetic energy to bridge the 5 to 10 second generator start-up time, compressed air or flywheel stored energy could be incorporated.

 

Closed-transition transfer switches would allow testing of the emergency power system without subjecting the system to any power loss, and in-phase protection on the transfer switches would prevent motor damage and high voltage spikes under testing and actual utility power failures.

 

All computers and all necessary ancillary system controls and functions would be provided with emergency power.

 

A pod communications system would be installed for computer control and emergency instructions and status for passengers.

 

Energy Considerations:

 

The system is entirely powered by electricity, except for emergency generation which would be diesel, or natural gas.

 

The amount of power to supply a network is dependent on the system speed, climatic conditions, elevation changes, and the size of the network.

 

On a flat network, the number of pods traveling in the system actually has an inverse effect on the power needed, as the added pods displace air and the associated friction against the tube. Once a pod is accelerated into the main tube, it takes no energy to keep the pod up to speed because of the frictionless rail mounting concept. The most energy consumed in flat tubes is due to the air fiction losses.

 

The added energy needed to move pods up a grade is partially recovered on the down-slope sections where the pods would push the air in front of them. It would take about 3.5 HP to move each pod up a 2 degree slope.

 

The most power intensive function is the acceleration of pods in the entry ramp to 35 MPH. This would take about 45 HP for 8 seconds per pod.

 

Air conditioning may be necessary to counter the fictional and solar heat gains in the system that cannot be eliminated through air exchanges and solar shielding. Cold weather heating should be a much smaller load to deal with because of the enclosed environment and the frictional heating of the air.