UST: News

On July 20 the main state TV channel of the Republic of Belarus released an item about the SkyWay transport. A reporter from the TV news Agency Kristina Strakh visited the office of SkyWay Technologies Co., the experimental production facility "Unibus" and EcoTechnoPark construction site.

Translation of the video:

— At present, there is no similar technology in the world.

— Buses overhead. A new transport system will start to operate in the town of Mariyna Gorka, as an experiment so far. Kristina Strakh is dreaming to ride in the so-called Unibus.

— Construction of the new transport system is nearing completion in Mariyna Gorka. This is a high-speed wheeled transport that runs on elevated rails. It is a demonstration project, which is located on the terroritory of the former tank range that looks now more like a park. The developers see the routes of the future just this way, without damage to the environment. Construction continues for two years and the first results will be demonstrated this autumn. Kristina Strakh explored the technologies of the future.

— From Gomel to Grodno for one hour. Such is the picture of the near future. Future has already come. At least this is the statement from the developers of the new transport system. Now construction is nearing completion in Mariyna Gorka. High-speed traffic and clear ecological environment around is the basis of the concept. The area of the construction site is 36 ha. This is a demonstration model so far.

— This technology does not interfere with the ecological spirit on this territory. We have already planted 2.5 ha of garden trees, a pond is developed and filled with fish, we have our own bees.

— The idea of the technology is not complicated, the authors say. The basis is a wheel that runs on absolutely smooth rails. According to the project authors' opinion, the rolling stock of special shape should ensure high speed and smoothness of motion. The structure may be arranged at various height, from 10 to 100 meters and higher. This will allow building such routes in hard-to-reach areas. They build three tracks at the test site in Mariyna Gorka: for passengers, freight and a recreational one.

— As scheduled, this track will start to operate this autumn. Now its length is 950 meters, but it is planned to extend it by 15 km more next year. Just then, a vehicle will be able to reach the speed of 500 km/h.

— The so-called Unibus looks like a bus. They will be designed in two versions. The suspended ones will move on special strings in a city and mounted ones will run on rails between cities. The former ones will accelerate to 150 km/h and the latter - up to 600 km/h. Now the rolling stock is already being assembled in Minsk.

— We apply most modern materials to manufacture the rolling stock. These are high-strength aluminum alloys for the frame. For glasses we use high-strength polycarbonate. For surfacing the body frame, we use special plastics. Therefore, our rolling stock is lightweight.

— The developers are confident in the success of the project that is as if from movies. In theory, by their calculations, everything should work perfectly. Soon, this autumn, we shall know what happens in practice. Just then, the first test vehicle will be launched.