DESIGN PHILOSOPHY

The following basic design philosophy primarily addresses rubber-tired, road-borne vehicles. However, TIG applies many of these same tenets to fixed-guideway (ie. steel-wheel, rail-borne) vehicles.

VEHICLE SYSTEMS

We always design our prototypical systems using off-the-shelf components and assemblies. We never mix R&D programs with design and build programs. Therefore, when we have a need for rubber tire vehicle systems, we look first to the automotive/bus/truck industries for systems that we can integrate into our designs, with a minimum of modifications to those systems.

We always start our designs with a comprehensive research program. Recent advances in the Internet have radically improved the research processes. Search engines now make it possible to not only find what we are looking for, but to also find new and related information regarding components, systems, and technologies that we did not previously have any knowledge of.

The integration of all this new information into a basic automotive type configuration has given us new TRAM and PRT (Personal Rapid Transit) configurations that could be and should be built, but are so far out ahead of the present offering from industry, as to be potentially revolutionary.

For example, the TIG TRAM is composed of the following major systems that we have not been able to find from any single manufacturer, but we have had no trouble in finding people willing and able to build our first article:

Similarly, the TIG PRT vehicles are composed of the following major systems that we have not been able to find from any single manufacturer, but we have also had no trouble in finding people willing and able to build our first article:

MULTI-MODAL VEHICLE SYSTEMS

TIG believes that these vehicles should be able to operate in several modes. They can function as single vehicles, or as multiple vehicle trains connected by tow bars. Every vehicle is powered, so that there are no restrictions on length of train based upon the towing power of a tractor. All wheels steer so that vehicle trains can operate with "true-track" steering (all wheels follow the path of the lead wheel in the train).

The TRAMs are essentially an electric bus with a special configuration as dictated by their use in a particular setting. As a bus, they can be operated under full manual mode by a driver. As a Tour vehicle, they can be coupled together so that one driver can operate two or three trams. As a parking lot shuttle or inter-tour transport, they can be driven like a bus, or can be operated without a driver. This would have a significant impact on labor costs by eliminating the need for drivers.

The PRTs are essentially a small car or a large golf cart. They can be operated as a fully automated vehicle on a dedicated roadway, or can be manually driven for special tours. They can operate as single cars, or can be coupled by tow bars into multiple vehicle trains, similar to the parking lot trams at Disneyland, with or without a driver.

EXPANDABLE ROADWAYS

TIG believes that transportation systems should be easily expandable at any time in the future. Therefore, land based transportation systems should be patterned after the vehicle systems that offer the greatest freedom of access. There is none better than today’s private passenger car.

Fixed guideways are very restrictive, and are very expensive to expand. A rubber tire vehicle can drive on pavement or open fields. A fork in the road becomes an infinitely expandable network of roads at any time in the future.

OPEN BOOK SYSTEMS

Too often during our research we find proprietary systems relative to electric motor controllers and internal combustion engine management computers. TIG believes that only open book systems should be utilized on our vehicles. A closed book, proprietary system has only one source of supply. Replacement parts and repairs in the future may encounter problems with availability of parts and technicians.

We have found open book suppliers for both motor controllers and engine management systems. This provides the optimum situation for both maintenance and replacement of components in the future, and at a minimum cost.

MODULAR CONSTRUCTION

Todays existing TRAMs are very complex, integrated, intertwined systems. Specially trained mechanics are needed for maintenance. TIG favors modular systems maximizing electrical interfaces with other modules, and minimizing mechanical linkages. This allows the vehicle subsystems to be installed and removed much the same as a "plug and play" computer component. The objective is to minimize vehicle downtime due to failures of vehicle subsystems. In the event of any failures, replacement of the faulty module should allow the vehicle to remain in service. The faulty module can be repaired by the Facility Maintenance Dept., or sent back to the original supplier for repair or replacement.

VEHICLE MONITORING AND DIAGNOSTICS

TIG believes that a fleet of vehicles should be easily monitored from a central location by wireless communications. Also, that computer diagnostics should be available for maintenance and repair of vehicles. This type of electronic surveillance and diagnosis is presently being used in public transit fleets of buses, and in automotive racing.

SUMMARY

The design principles noted above are the basis for the design of the vehicle systems TIG offers for road borne applications. The basic principles are:

1. VEHICLE SYSTEMS - New vehicles should be patterned upon readily available vehicle systems that are essentially perfected systems. The best example of this is to utilize and adapt automotive or bus or truck systems.
2. MULTI-MODAL VEHICLE SYSTEMS – Vehicles should be designed to operate in both automated and manual modes.
3. EXPANDABLE ROADWAYS - A fork in the road becomes an infinitely expandable network of roads at any time in the future.
4. OPEN BOOK SYSTEMS - TIG believes that only open book systems should be utilized on our vehicles.
5. MODULAR CONSTRUCTION – All major subsystems or vehicle components should be designed and installed as an easily and quickly replaceable module.
6. VEHICLE MONITORING AND DIAGNOSTICS – Wireless electronic systems should be used for vehicle monitoring and maintenance diagnostics.