Conventional interchanges vs. universal interchanges
To begin, let’s illustrate some key differences between automated transport and a conventional road system.

Illustration 1 shows a conventional interstate six-lane highway passing over a limited access four lane highway. This interchange has no traffic signals for traffic getting off or on to either roadway in any direction.

This interchange provides excellent traffic flow but is complex, expensive, and few interchanges are actually built this way.

Illustration 2 is a simple schematic of a universal interchange in the Automated Transport system. This example is designed to allow traffic moving north, south, east and west to change direction and merge onto other roads without stopping . Only single lanes in each direction are necessary.

The North, South, East and West. lanes are THROUGH traffic. The vehicles on these lanes always travel a constant120 mph. Through traffic always has the right of way. The circular INTERCHANGE in the middle is NOT through traffic. The vehicles on this interchange adjust their velocity slightly to adjust to the through traffic, depending on instructions each vehicle’s onboard computer receives from the computer controlling this interchange. [see Part 7]

Illustration 3 shows a car entering a universal interchange. It will travel part way around the loop then merge into through traffic heading north (see animation). In the event through traffic is unusually heavy and the car cannot merge on first pass, it goes around the loop and the interchange computer adjusts the speeds of car and through traffic to allow merge on subsequent attempt.

Each through lane of this AUTOMATED INTERCHANGE can handle 18,000 (eighteen thousand) vehicles per hour at full capacity (144,000 vehicles per 8 hour day) and costs only a fraction of the conventional six lane highway and interchange shown previously. Up to 72,000 vehicles per hour could pass through this junction.

Illustration 3
Car merging into through traffic
from a universal interchange
see animation

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