The Futran System

Next level safe and reliable Automated Transportation

Our technology

Suspended Automated Transit Network

Specially designed automated, independently motorized, electric vehicles are suspended from the elevated track and each vehicle can independently negotiate splits in the track. Each motorized unit can also carry any of a range of load bearing capsules, making it possible to use the same track for the transportation of various types of loads. These design components, in combination, enables the system to introduce a plethora of new transportation innovations and options to human settlement planners, mining companies and supply chain practitioners. Amongst other things, the system now has the following valuable attributes:

Different loads can be carried on the same track grid network at the same time, each with its own starting point and its own destination point
Stations can be positioned offline so that moving units (Nutrans) can run past stations where they need not be and run straight to their end destinations following the shortest route taking the least amount of time
Units always move at the same speed on each section of the track, enabling the system to be predictable and never have traffic jams or congestion
The automated units can be called on-demand 24 hours per day, 7 days a week as and when required, as opposed to on-schedule
When solar panels are used, the energy supply can cost-effectively be capitalized up front, reducing running cost significantly
Typically, steel wheels are used on steel tracks and the motorized units use low maintenance electric motors. As a result the operating cost is very low!
The track can be made in steel in a dedicated factory, or in concrete on-site and using local materials
The steel version of the track is make from a cost effective super strong structural element called the Solomons Knott Cross Beam that makes it possible to erect tall structures and elevated tracks more cost effectively than ever before
Each motorized unit has its own steering mechanism to negotiate splits in the track, making it possible for units to run very close to each other whilst still following different routes along the track
A centralized traffic management system is used to schedule motorized units and plan their journeys while each unit can complete its route independently, even if contact with the centralized unit is lost
Motorized units (Nutrans) are modular in nature, making assembly, maintenance and operating easy and cost effective.

The Technology was developed and tested over many years, and in 2014 the first test units were commissioned on our indoors test track in Pretoria, South Africa. A year later, the 1km test track outside Brits was commissioned and it is here that extensive testing has resulted in the refinement and eventual commercialization of the Futran System.

Key technologies

The key technology elements of the Futran Ecolink Platform that was developed by Futran Limited and its partners and are now continuously being enhanced include:

1. A unique gripping mechanism was developed to enable steel wheels to run on a steel track without slipping

2. A mechanism to enable a suspended vehicle to go through a split in the track without any wheel falling into the gap between the tracks, without requiring any moving part on the track, was developed

3. A unique, failsafe vehicle based single movement mechanism to enable a vehicle to move either left or right when entering a split in the track

4. A track guidance system that ensures safety and reliability of vehicle movement under all conditions

5. A precise vehicle position monitoring system, accurate to within millimetres, to replace the need for a rail signalling system

6. Failsafe inter-vehicle communication and collision avoidance system

7. Jobcard-based route and traffic management system

8. Multi-purpose, variable carriage system to enable people and goods movement on the same network and tracks

9. Carriage sway arrest system to ensure comfortable ride, even under windy conditions and when loads are uneven

10. Carriage suspension adjustment system to ensure comfort under all loads

11. Emergency evacuation system

12. Low-cost track construction technique(s)

13. High capacity traffic throughput system

14. Low cost, precision vehicle guidance system

15. Low cost Green Energy System