The scientist’s innovation of string-rail suspended passenger pods is one of several projects under test for a potential network in Dubai to be operated by the Roads and Transport Authority.
The project is also on show at the Belarus Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai.
Dr Unitsky’s system uses super-strong string technology to carry passenger and cargo pods at speeds ranging from 150kph to 500kph between stations and hubs across the city.
Aerodynamic pods are carried independently along a specially designed steel railhead, with ground anchors every 50 metres.
The system is considerably cheaper than laying conventional railway track or asphalt roads.
While the future of mass passenger transport is likely to be made up of multiple options including high speed rail, hydrogen-powered trains and the Hyperloop, the Belarusian said string-rail technology has enormous potential.Taking UST vertical may sound like science fiction, but it could one day become reality, making space travel accessible to the masses, and taking industrialisation into orbit.
A space-rail project is likely to cost hundreds of billions of dollars and would require global co-operation, Dr Unitsky said.
“Production and manufacturing will always be needed, so we have to have a system where we can travel easily between space and Earth,” he said.
“We cannot use rockets as they deliver just a maximum load of around 500 tonnes a year.
“As a railway engineer by trade, it is clear there is a simple solution to move items between Earth and space.
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