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AIRTRANS - Automated Transit System |
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Guideway
The depicted elevated guideway shows the columns upon which the pre-cast, pre-stressed beams are placed for the 20% of the guideway that is elevated. The running surface of both the elevated and the at-grade guideways are built to interstate highway standards of smoothness and surface tolerance. The parapet walls were placed after the base was in place, with provisions for structural steel between the two. A total of 67,697 feet (13 miles) of guideway was built. The use of standard construction practice and employment of a Texas highway contractor were important in keeping the cost down. Airtrans: Program Background |
The guideway was designed to use standard highway construction practices to reduce cost and speed construction. In a transit system, it is necessary that the guideway, vehicles, control system, and power distribution system be designed together as an entity. The guideway, as the most expensive element, received first attention and required great care to be taken to keep it at grade wherever possible because elevated structures are much more expensive. The at-grade guideway is an 8-inch thick reinforced concrete slab with 24-inch high parapet walls.