drawings

Oil Independent-The MonoFreight System is run entirely on electricity. For areas without sufficient electric supply, the system is designed to be used with low emission natural gas powered generators which can be the primary or supplemental source of power.

Improves the Environment-The benefits to the environment are dependent upon the energy source used to generate the electricity for MonoFreight. With natural gas as the generator of electric, the emissions of CO2 are reduced by about 60% versus pollution from truck diesel motors. With coal as the source for generating electric, the emissions of CO2 is estimated to be reduced by 40%. Particulate matter pollution, the most serious and immediate environmental problem causing serious health problems, is eliminated along the tracks. This is a major benefit as some areas near port highways are as high as 300% above federal standards and are directly blamed for thousands of premature deaths annually.

Affordable Operations-The cost of electric to transport the trolleys with container from the ports to transshipment warehouses, sixty miles away, is estimated at slightly less than $30. This compares to current freight charges of $100 to $175 for the same delivery. Even with a toll charge of $60, which would pay for track construction, interest and depreciation of MonoFreight, the total charge is less than existing freight charges.

Affordable Installation-The cost of the track and trolleys varies depending on the desired capacity of the system (number of trolleys and generators are the main cost variables). Based on a daily capacity of 18,000 container trips per day the cost is $41 million per mile. For 32,000 container trips per day the cost is $55 million per mile. A system with 64,800 containers per day costs $81 million per mile. For a 60-mile system from the Ports of Los Angeles to Ontario, California the MonoFreight System cost of $2.4 to $4.9 billion compares to $20 billion for a dedicated highway and $6 to $7 billion for maglev.

High Capacity-MonoFreight has a capacity of 64,800 containers per day over a sixty-mile track. This is sufficient to handle the busiest ports in the world. Adding a fourth or even fifth track could raise capacity. Even with five tracks the width of the system would be narrower than highways.

Easy Grade Separation-The support columns can be raised or lowered to keep the system separate from existing traffic and terrain. It could even be installed along and over drainage areas, hillsides and rivers at reasonable costs. The system is built with foundation footers installed every fifty feet.

Access to Docks and Warehouses-Because of the tight turning radius, MonoFreight trolleys can access all dock and warehouse areas. This makes handling easier, since there is no need to transfer the containers to trucks for any part of the delivery process.

Automatic Depots- Containers remain attached to the trolleys and are stored in large depot areas. These areas can be located anywhere along the track. When the container is needed, a radio signal contacts the trolley guidance system and the trolley is guided to its destination.

Offshore Installation-Because MonoFreight is completely supported by posts it can be extended offshore to an unloading center, eliminating the need for expensive dredging of harbors. This also gives much greater flexibility on the location of unloading facilities, since they would not be confined to existing harbors, which are operating at near capacity levels.