The RUF system concept is being developed by RUF-International in Denmark as an attempt to combine road and rail transport philosophies in an electric dual-mode car. Its objective is to develop a new traffic infrastructure that is: (1) flexible and fast enough to attract many car drivers; (2) low-polluting, quiet, and environment-friendly; (3) able to reduce urban congestion; (4) secure; and (5) low-cost, economically and socially. The RUF is designed as an electric car with two to four seats, with 50km range and 80kph top speed on normal roads. It can go directly from a road to a special triangular rail, at 30kph switching speed. RUF cars can be closely coupled into a `train' that can travel at up to 200kph, with a capacity of 3600 RUFs per hour. RUFs have minimal air resistance, energy consumption, air pollution, and noise when coupled in trains. RUFs have unlimited range via rail, take power from the rail, and use regenerative braking that returns power to the rail. RUFs can be used as commuter cars, a flexible automatic people mover system, for rented public transport, as hybrid cars, and for door-to-door transport. Rented RUFs can be parked very easily at special parking sites where they are recharged. The RUF rail system is an `ultra light rail', that can be mass produced, and installed at, above, or below ground level.
Samenvatting