| abstract |
A transportation vehicle, system and method are disclosed. A transportation region is accessible by a first network of roadways, generally at grade, and a second network of guideways, generally not at grade. A dual-purpose vehicle is adapted to alternately operate along the guideways and park at grade, optionally operating along the roadways as well. The vehicle is adapted to operate on the roadways analogously to a conventional automobile; however, the vehicle also includes means for releasably engaging the guideways for travel there along. Desirably, the outside surface of the vehicle may include one or more solar cells for converting solar energy into electrical energy to power the vehicle, excess electrical energy being available for supply to an electrical distribution system via the guideway to help power the network or other vehicles, even when the supplying vehicle is not being operated for transportation. |