One of the earliest “lightbulb moments” when we first started working on the GoBFree technology was an article in Popular Science magazine that stated “electric transportation is wonderful…except for the extension cord.” That was when we realized that the track could be the “cord”. Our earliest meetings were with roller-coaster engineers who understood both tracks and electric motors. Those meetings confirmed many of our initial discoveries.
- Using hard rubber wheels on a steel track has very low rolling resistance. You can push a GoBFree down the track with one hand.
- The combination of the low rolling resistance with the energy efficiency of electric motors results in incredible mileage. The motor we are using in our prototype for rail travel uses less than 2 cents per mile.
- Reducing the battery packs makes the vehicles lighter and more energy efficient and less costly to build. Depending on the customers needs-how much they travel on the rail versus the road- the battery pack can be customized
- The system is controlled by computers and has a constant speed for all the vehicles. It is elevated above road debris, other vehicles and even weather. It will be safer than automobiles.
- Because it is so controlled and isolated from dangerous conditions it will run with minimal headway, which greatly reduces infrastructure cost per vehicle
- Although the rail is expensive to build it is less expensive than expanding urban highway capacity because it is elevated above existing roads.-no additional land.
- With high capacity and no land acquisition the track cost per vehicle of capacity is quite low.
- Long-distance trucks typically go 600-miles a day. Constant recharging and huge batteries make electric trucks impractical and expensive. The ability to supply constant electricity and automate 24/7 travel with GoBFree freight solves many problems.
- Our initial prototype had wheels permanently in the raised position. To improve the appearance of the vehicle we designed wheels that retract into the roof
Over the years we have worked with dozens of engineers and electric car specialists. For our port freight technology we worked with a consultant to the Ports of LA. Early in the process we conducted a year-long study with University of Cincinnati Engineering School. We have hired engineers to work on specific projects related to track design, switching, prototype structure and electric motors. Our work with Texas A&M University, when they studied our GoBFree technology over the course of a year was comprehensive. Our next step is to build a longer test track, build another prototype and run extensive tests. We have a patent pending on much of the technology.
Study by Texas A&M
During the 2006-2007 academic year the Texas Transportation Institute at Texas A&M University, one of the top engineering schools in the world, in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration conducted a study concerning “electrified guideway infrastructure providing energy in real time to automated vehicles”. GoBFree (at the time called “MonoMobile”) was part of that study. The research results were presented at the TRB Conference in Washington DC in 2008.