Radio Lady Discusses: Mass Tram America -- Would YOU use it? (SEE ARTIST'S DRAWING)

[Radio_Lady]

This new company -- established in 2006 -- plans to use decommissioned airplanes to put a tram in YOUR future. The first one planned MAY (or may not) start in Troutdale, and go to Government Camp, Oregon.

Full story at: http://thehighwayinthesky.us/

Your comments?

[Double T]

1. YES, I would use this mass transit system

[Radio_Lady]

3. Thanks, Double T! This may be a unique proposal from a former Boeing employee.

He's looking for venture capital and a place to start. Interesting website!

Aside -- we tried to take the Portland MAX Light Rail System from our home to a preview at a movie theater in downtown Portland.

When we arrived at the MAX station, in our car, there was NO PLACE TO PARK!

We had to drive downtown! So much for trying to adjust our "carbon footprint."

[Radio_Lady]

2. Meet the idea man: Ben Missler...

Mass Tram America, Inc. established in 2006, is a privately-held corporation located in Milwaukie, Oregon. The President, Ben Missler, has been working on the concept and details of the Mass Tram since 1983. Just recently Mr. Missler started putting together his team of engineers, writers, designers and office personnel.

The Mass Tram America project is a vision for the future: of our public transportation, freight transportation, emergency response systems, and America 's ability to adapt to changing times. This elevated network of state-of-the-art technologies, materials, and procedures come together to create the very first system of its kind. Transportation of this magnitude has never fully operated on renewable resources; the Mass Tram does. Transportation has never simultaneously answered the problems presented by the rising cost of fuel, congested roadways, large amounts of land occupancy, and damage from natural disasters; the Mass Tram does.

All technologies used to create the Mass Tram, although groundbreaking, are not new. These technologies are all being used today, and tested further to improve resources for a sustainable future. Wind power has been fostered for years; solar power technology is continuing to grow and has been utilized for many years to provide electricity to millions. Fuel cells, another technology employed by the Mass Tram system, have been used for 35 years in space exploration. Motors using regenerative breaking are currently being manufactured in the United States and these companies are seeing large orders from overseas. In order to save our transportation systems, our economy, our position in world technologies, our environment, and our future; the United States must employ something both practical and groundbreaking.

A project of this magnitude will create an abundance of well-paying American jobs. Just as the highway bill enacted by President Eisenhower in 1956 gave a jump start to the United States ' economy, the Mass Tram project will stimulate today's economy. Our nation will be positively affected by reducing purchase of foreign oil, a dramatic rise in high-paying jobs, and the lower cost of personal and freight transportation. This reduction in transportation costs will positively affect everything from groceries to the cost of building materials.

[Atman]

4. And then we convert the malls into housing centers and senior communities

Can you imagine a better place for a Senior's community, especially in cold climates? Controlled climate, lots of room to walk and get exercise, every size pad available depending upon budgets. With one of these trams going right into the old "food court" area, the grandkids would visit every weekend!

.

[Radio_Lady]

5. Anyone think of the movie "Blade Runner"? Or the "Star Wars" movies?

[Kingshakabobo]

27. Maybe The Simpsons?

Too bad Phil Hartman isn't alive to help sell this idea.....*sigh*:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vi_rLqjepY

[NormanYorkstein]

12. don't forget golf courses

housing for the homeless

[originalpckelly]

6. I highly doubt that would fly in most cities.

Fire departments are really picky about evacuating people, and there's no walkway or anything to evacuate someone. In case of a fire, how do people who use wheelchairs escape?

In addition, there isn't anything blocking the debris that might come off of a rail line and strike someone in the head. Many localities want a thing called a "drip pan" that prevents the debris from hitting people.

I really like the idea, but I think it may not work out.

I've been thinking about this area a lot lately, and this is the practical stuff I found out during my research.

I'm debating whether or not rail is destined to come back. The truth here is that rail may come back for a while, but then when personal vehicles get better batteries, I see it drying up again.

I think in cities rail will be back, because aside from elevated multiple deck roadways, there is only so much ability to transport people on a road because of the guidance issues. However, an elevated, underground or light railway allows a hell of a lot of people to be transported in a comparatively small area.

But between cities, I just don't know.

[Radio_Lady]

8. Here in Portland, Oregon, the tram system was opposed by many people who lived in the area where it

was built. However, they lost and the Oregon Health Sciences University won.

It's up and running now.

[originalpckelly]

11. That's very interesting.

Of course, I think the difference here might be the short ride time. The concept that's talked about in your OP appeared to be a longer distance system. Who know, maybe it will actually work, I'd love it!

[originalpckelly]

16. You might be interested in this bit from Wiki, from when I went to read the article about the tram..

in Portland. This is from another tram article linked to in the Portland article, and it's about the Roosevelt Island Tramway:
"On April 18, 2006, at about 5:22 p.m EDT, two trams were stuck over the East River for seven hours because of mechanical problems, trapping 69 people. Rescue baskets capable of holding up to 15 people were sent up to the stranded cable cars at 10:55 p.m., with children and elderly going first, and each rescue taking about 20 minutes. These baskets also carried supplies to the trams, such as blankets, baby formula, and food, for the remaining passengers.<1> Passengers on the Roosevelt Island-bound tram were rescued by about 2:55 a.m. on April 19, while those on the Manhattan-bound tram were not rescued until 4:07 a.m.<2>

The April 2006 incident was the second time in eight months the Tram system lost power. On September 2, 2005, more than 80 people were trapped on the tram for over 90 minutes. After that incident, state inspectors cited the Roosevelt Island Tramway for not having an operational diesel backup, or MG set system. The State Department of Labor said the system did not pass electrical inspection and could not run when the April 18 power outage took place.

The Tramway suspended operations after the April 2006 incident, re-opening on September 1, 2006. The Tram's backup electrical systems were refurbished, and "in case of an emergency, each car now is equipped with blankets, water, food and a toilet with a privacy curtain. Car attendants will carry cell phones with their radios.""

[Radio_Lady]

18. I do remember the Roosevelt Island incident last year.

What is the record worldwide for trams?

Are they safe?

Certainly, the one they built here in Portland was VERY expensive -- the project overran its budget by millions of dollars.

[Radio_Lady]

17. Ben Missler was interviewed by Northwest Cable News, said it would be quite fast.

I'll try to recover the speed he mentioned -- I recall it was hundreds of miles an hour.

ON EDIT: 150 to 200 mph, although someone in comments said this would be "warp speed" and could "snap necks." Much slower, was the point.

http://www.wweek.com/editorial/3311/8470/

[Gregorian]

15. That part is a shame since it has some plusses.

There is minimal terrestrial infrastructure. Seismic concerns could pose a fair problem.

If it weren't for the things you mentioned, it would be a pretty economical plan. I think retro of the plane bodies is minimal compared to the construction of the project.

But I would love something like this. I don't travel or drive at all because of the dingbats. If I could get on something like this, I'd be more inclined to spend time in San Francisco. I'm three hours away, but I'd never think of driving there. Most people do, but it's like the moon for me.

[and-justice-for-all]

7. Thats great...and yes I would use it. nt

[Radio_Lady]

9. How would you feel if it blocked your view of... mountains, sea, sky?

As far as I know, it's pretty silent, so there would be no noise.

However, people did complain that "peering eyes" might catch people in their homes or apartments -- possibly in their bedrooms or bathrooms.

[and-justice-for-all]

28. Well, I dont think it would kill any of us..

..to have to take a block or 2 stroll and this tram would only run around the city. We wouldnt lose our right to close the blinds would we??

[NuttyFluffers]

30. and that doesn't happen now?

it's a fascinating complaint, but i find it a rather inconsequential one. i already have massive 8 lane freeways and bridges and cookie cutter developments on any open space available already obscuring my view of mountains, sea, and sky, as long as the developers think they can get away with it.

and right this very minute, excepting for freeways with large sound walls, i have easy access via rail, BART, freeway ramps, and other roads in which i can, and have, looked into people's bedrooms, bathrooms, and living rooms. considering that, and that traveling at around 50+ mph on average which means i get to see little if anything, i don't see this as a legitimate concern. in fact, i think the bigger concern would be more freeways because when i sit in traffic for hours i have nothing else to do except idly peer into opened windows nearby.

i think that question is just silly NIMBY stupidity. sometimes people don't think farther than their own shoe. we already have problems now, why worry about something that you have a) the power to control b) already affecting you now, with or without your awareness.

[Liberal In Texas]

10. Way cool! n/t

[Radio_Lady]

24. Would you take a ride on this, Lib In Texas?

[Liberal In Texas]

31. Sure would.

[Catherine Vincent]

13. I would as long as it's as safe as the usual bus, train or subway ride.

[Canuckistanian]

14. That's a horrible graphic

It's looks like something out of Popular Science in the 60s.

But it's a fantastic idea. Recycled decommissioned airplanes (and there are a TON of those), solar power AND cheaper fares.

What's not to like? I'd take it in a heartbeat.

[Radio_Lady]

19. Maybe they'll be able to get a better design -- someday.

Meanwhile, thanks for your comments!

[think4yourself]

21. That's exactly what I was thinking!

I love it though. Would use it .

[Radio_Lady]

22. Think4Yourself, appreciate your comment.

[Sabriel]

20. I'd use it if they served dinner pills or nutrient drinks.

Or Soylent Green.

Seriously, it looks like the SF novels I used to read growing up.

[Radio_Lady]

23. Well, can we cite how much science fiction has become science fact?

We did sub-orbital flights.

Then we circled the earth.

We walked on the moon.

Then we built a space station.

In the late 1930s, when I was born, those things WERE science fiction!!!!

In peace,

Radio Lady in Oregon

[Kerrytravelers]

25. Mr kt and I are always lamenting the fact that Los Angeles has shamefully little pub tran.

I'd take anything that gets me out of my car.

[Radio_Lady]

26. I totally sympathize with you. I lived in Westwood Village, near UCLA for a year during college.

I had a bicycle and a boyfriend with a car, and my grandmother lived nearby. However, I saw very little of suburban L.A. that particular year. It was so smoggy then (1959-1960), I had to leave for medical reasons. I had continuous eye irritation and my lungs always felt as if I were breathing knives.

I finished college at the University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida, where my parents lived. At least, I had a car there.

[timtom]

29. I have been screaming

for mass transportation in America for several decades now. I live in South Florida (I believe you're familiar with that turf, Radio Lady). Mass transit here is sorta like a vestigial tail. Obviously, lack of adult supervision in this country (at all levels) has effectively precluded any real commitment to mass transportation (except in cities like New York, Chicago, etc.)

And, yes, I would use it.

[Radio_Lady]

33. Yeah, I remember busses and regular trains in Florida. I think there's a monorail in Miami.

But there really couldn't be a subway because all of Florida is built on sand/coral rock/limestone and the water table is too high.

At least, that's what I think.

[NuttyFluffers]

32. i think it's cool, and yes i'd use it.

USA needs as much mass transit, and mass transit support, as it can get. i wish it was like the french aerotrain, if it were at all possible to do again. the idea of riding a train, hell any land transport, so smooth you can prop a camera tripod and get great stills (back in the 1970s, think of the camera tech then!), has definitely romanced me. here's some nice extra data on it as a start:

http://aernav.free.fr/Aerotrain/Anglais/Aerotrain_Story.html

but it's a fanciful dream. there's no mass production of such equipment currently... oh well. but other than that is sounds like a great idea. i would support it if it came around my neighborhood. i would prefer a sort of bullet train, but even if it's just like Disneyland's people mover i'd be happy. in fact, Disneyland's people mover is a pretty amazing piece of engineering and simple efficiency...

[Radio_Lady]

34. Thanks for posting this link, NuttyFluffers!