SkyTran opened a 900-foot test station on the campus of Israel Aerospace Industries near Tel Aviv in late 2015. By the end of 2016, it will start construction of a 25-mile track in Lagos (An exact route in the city has not yet been planned).
NASA and SkyTran designed four different types of steel and aluminum pods: one that seats two people, one that seats four, one for the disabled, and one for larger cargo. Here's the latest prototype:
SkyTrans' aluminum rail levitates with help from gravity, a magnet, and a short burst of electricity. Once the pod reaches 10 mph, it continues to glide and accelerate without any additional power. Skytran uses the same amount of electricity as two hair dryers, Sanders says.
It's capable of traveling 155 mph, but the pods in Lagos will likely travel 45 to 65 mph to start, Sanders says. Based on need, the city may increase the system's speed.
The company says it will only cost about $13 million per mile to build, whereas a subway system can cost at least $160 million for the same distance.
The tracks could run through universities and offices in Lagos, Sanders says. The small stations could even be built in apartment lobbies.
Like normal public transportation, SkyTran could have stations around the city. Sanders estimates that a pod ride would cost only slightly more than Lagos trains.
To request a pod, riders enter their pick-up location and destination in the SkyTran app (assuming they have a smartphone). Unlike a typical light rail or subway system, SkyTran also won't have a schedule — Passengers will just get in the first pod that shows up.
SkyTran's system will then send passengers automatically to their destinations. If the pod needs to stop at a station, it will move to another rail so that the one behind it can pass. The pods theoretically never need to stop for traffic.
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