Elevated Small Vehicle Highways (SVH)

Abstract

Automobile like scaled down elevated urban Small Vehicle Highways (SVH) and Small Vehicle Limited Access Thoroughfare (SVLAT) arterials are introduced and compared to urban automobile arterials. Daunting challenges are noted as every issue ever discussed for urban automobile arterials must be re-considered for scaled down small vehicle arterials. The importance of urban automobile arterials are noted as these roadways move disproportionately large amount of traffic compared to the roadway length. Noted also is that arterials are non-existent for transportation modes excluded from Limited Access Thoroughfares and other arterials. Feasibility for scaled down aterials is explored philosphically from several important perspectives in detail. It is found spacing of highways may be 8.72 km (5.4 miles) or greater due to willingness of transit riders to commute more than a mile on a bicycle. For throttle controlled lanes roadway capacity is likely similar to automobile roadway capacity per lane. The resultant high capacity, lower weight and smaller scale will in some cases such as bridges result in lower costs than automobile bridges. Other issues discussed include: auxiliary uses for structure, transportation equity, transportation interfaces, new technology integration, automated roadway, knowledge gaps, system design alternatives, potential high value highway applications, and elevated roadway examples. Sketches are used to show how the systems might fit into a relatively narrow street and to show how systems might be configured where physical space is less limited. 40 conclusions are developed including some derived from other conclusions. Conclusions include: lower cost examples, potential for congestion relief, higher efficiency, faster mode speed, perceived better safety, and an opportunity to re-balance transportation equity. The final conclusion is a recommendation to fund development and demonstration of this concept.