This Proposal aims to see the creation of an aerial component to public transit. The system would consist of 'Hubs' / Stations at key locations across the city. There would only be a handful of these Hubs as they are not intended to replace the existing transit system - merely to add an "Ultra Express" aerial option. Some if not all of these Hubs could be at existing transit centers, and others could be constructed at new sites. I believe it would only require enough space for the vehicles to land safely.
Possible Station locations include: ¹Alberta Aviation Museum, ²Eaux Claires, ³Clareview, ⁴Abottsfield, ⁵Sherwood Park, ⁶Davis Station, ⁷Meadows TC, ⁸Millwoods TC, ⁹St. Albert, ¹⁰Leger, ¹¹Aecheson, ¹²WEM, ¹³Jasper Place, ¹⁴Century Park, etc...
As said there could be an aerial port at every existing transit station. The aircraft would fly from Point (A) to Point (B). It could in theory be flown by computer control, but human pilots should still be considered.
The 'Buses' would be VTOL (Vertical Take Off and Landing) and capable of transporting 15 to 20 passengers and their belongings. They would need to have sufficiently powerful batteries and optimized propulsion systems. The propulsion system would also be designed to be as quiet as possible so that flying over head makes about the same amount of noise as a regular bus driving by on the street.
There would of course be robust safety systems. Such as a semi-autonomous or fully autonomous emergency landing procedure that would be rigorously tested above the highest standards, involving:
a] Helium bladders will be around the vehicle to create buoyancy and reduce a significant portion of the aircraft's weight - without making it too large - this will require precise calculation to attain the perfect ratio between size, lift*, and attractiveness of the vehicle's design. The purpose is to mitigate the risk of rapid plummeting.
b] Emergency Rocket Thrusters that provide thrust, before touch-down. The rocket system will be intelligently used by the controlling computer. For instance, if there is high fire risk at the landing site - as determined from pre-planned and real-time image analysis, or if it is close enough to the ground that back-splash of the exhaust would damage the vehicle.
c] Passive Descent Slowing System: Two high-tensile strength ailerons that open outward instantly in a manner similar to the 'doors' of a ground based telescope - or more accurately, a ladybug's 'shell' - except with the bus, it snaps open along the entire length. These ailerons have rigid exteriors and will provide drag as well as facilitate gliding of the craft through the air. The ailerons are also filled with helium bladders.
d] Shock absorbers or impact absorbent cushion technology at the base of the craft in a manner that keeps it clear of the rocket exhaust.
All Buses would be "designed to be frequently inspected", with the health of every critical component directly auditable and accessible to inspectors. The Buses would be built with rigorous safety standards, far exceeding those of regular automobiles and even aircraft. Inspections would take place after every round trip around the city at #14 Hanger.
The implementors must know the atmospheric micro-climate and weather patterns in the flight area by heart.
The Buses could be tested on public or private property depending on who is developing the technology - for example, a public-private partnerships.
Among many other tests, they could be flown without a pilot over a large plot of empty land along designated routes marked by GPS coordinate markers. This can be done in a loop to simulate the distances it will cover in service.
Measures must also be taken to ensure the safety of passengers. Would-be passengers could be required to consent to a background check of the previous 5 years.
Also, three of the passenger seats will always be occupied by:
i] A uniformed 'security guard' at a designated side facing seat near the pilot's cabin,
ii] Two plain clothes security guards at random seats
These security guards will be highly trained and armed with appropriate non-lethal weapons.
The buses will be parked at special high security fenced yards when not in use.
It will be very important for there to be secure communication between vehicles and control. In this proposal and among other possible measures, we should consider the "Infra-red Lighthouse Model" (ILM). In this model an infra-red beam is shown from the tower to the location of the vehicle, and from the vehicle to the tower - once line of sight is established. Both transmitters are gimbaled and know the receiver's coordinates at all times. The infra-red beams will be heavily encrypted and there will be robust error correction. The tower is placed on the tallest building in the service area - ideally near the center. Initially, each vehicle will have its own transmitter at the tower until more elegant solutions are designed.
The ILM would take effect as soon as the vehicle has enough altitude to be in line of sight with the tower. When there is no line of site, regular EMF signals can be used. Alternatively, special low footprint towers can be erected along the flight path, in a manner similar to how cell towers are distributed throughout a city.
It is hoped that Edmonton will become a world leader in this domain.