Please find below the
Finalist Evaluation
Judges'' comments
Key points in first review were not addressed in this round, including: claims that rail can replace all modes of transportation; addressing the issue of train station heights and the barriers which have prevented such a system; how many bricks might be needed and what does this mean for upstream primary resources; how much energy is required to run the system and can solar PV provide this in every location worldwide?
Semi-Finalist Evaluation
Judges'' ratings
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Judges'' comments
Thank you for your submission to the Climate CoLab. The Judges found this an intriguing proposal.
Suggestions from Judges:
-Add a thorough literature review
- Expand on the technical limitations of curved rails for the purposes of the U track.
- More fully explore technical and financial feasibility
- focus on a detailed presentation of the most competitive application of the rollercoaster as an alternative mass transit system
 Hugh Loebner Jun 13, 2016 10:36  | Proposal creator There is no U track. I was merely describing the shape of an elevation view of the system, descend, almost flat, ascend. Monorails are well able to deal with grades. Maximum grade angle is one of the specifications of all sales pitches for monorails. The limiting factors in all these monorails are power and traction, neither of which is of importance here. In this proposal gravity is the motivating force and ascent (after kinetic energy as been expended) is by chain in a manner similar to funicular railway systems. Gradients of over 100% (45°) are not unusual. |
Hugh Loebner Jun 13, 2016 11:24 | Proposal creator In order to address the evaluation comments, I have deleted the calculations found in the references, replacing them by a literature review. I hope that they will be considered of record. |
Hugh Loebner Jun 15, 2016 12:21 | Proposal creator The problem in evaluating this proposal is the difficulty in understanding how quickly things can change. This is can be called "temporocentrism." Although usually applied to perceptions of the past, it applies equally well to the future: The future will be the same as today. But of course it will not. The world can, and does, change with astounding speed. So it is with our environment. Today's occasional mega storms such as, in the U.S, Hurricane Sandy, will become frequent. The occasional flooding of Miami and Miami Beach, etc. will soon become commonplace, until finally they will sink below the rising Atlantic. What is a once in a one hundred year flooding of Paris from incessant rain will become a once in a decade event. What is now a vague feeling of unease among the unperceptive populace will become panic. Therefore, to say that changes such I describe will occur slowly shows an inability to understand, to see, what will must occur. |
