Ryan
Auckland Bridge Crossing
Demands of life in the millennium, a new crossing is required to have a high score up in the 9's in terms of the metrics of energetic fractions, beeline distance maximums, all weather conditions and all personal transport modems.
The existing bridge is not north-south aligned, requiring a bend to enter and a bend upon exiting. This is because the bridge was geographically designed to span the shortest distance of the harbour. A new bridge design needs to have ideal or near to ideal A to B proximal metrics. It needs to also accommodate modems of transport not afforded by the bridge, walking and substantially for bikes including alternative modem, e-boards. The model below has the lowest common denominator of transport proximity.
Conformity:
The 2nd crossing must go under the water but above the sea floor for the shortest possible span, less energy is expended when going down 15M than rising up 50M and then back down 50. Concise engineering is to go through the water column.
Extrusion:
Continuous extrusion is a highly successful modern method of construction. Extrusion and trench excavation may only cost 0.2B as opposed to 3.0B by other methods, dredging silt is not costly. Also with extrusion there is zero waste, the same technology can also be reused on land. The science of ceramics and ceramic extrusion will mean experts in Auckland City.
The OverTube has a serious number of benefits to consider:
Let light through- Transparent construction means it does not require a lighting network as street lights and sunshine provide the lighting. It also means there is no shadow cast on the footpath that is located directly below.
All weather environment- Auckland experiences around 1.3 meters of rain annually that plays havoc for E-modem and cycles so rain proof design is a necessity and an advantage. Furthermore, wind plays havoc too, increasing friction and reducing speed even with side winds, thus creating a wind tunnel that pulls riders through is an energetic gain.
Separation of on-coming traffic- A vertical structural wall dividing flow is an advantage, creating a wind tunnel effect to reduce friction, also to eliminate collision with those heading in an opposing direction. This increases safety to eliminate major collision and increases peak speed.
Removal of roading and traffic barriers- Like a motorway, that is entirely free of traffic and roading barriers, the OverTube theory is the same type of constant network. It would be free of pavement bumps and steps, traffic lights every 100 or so meters, gutters, cars, dog walkers, constant pedestrian collisions, children, birds, trees, tree roots, road works, car parks, light poles, telegraph poles, utility boxes, the list goes on for ever.
Removing multiple fast dangerous modem from the street: We all know that Tamaki Drive went to bits when it attempted to accommodate cycles, E-bikes and E-scooters on the sidewalk with the other modes already there. There is no amount of planing that can separate constant collision with cycles and walkers stepping out and intersecting with each other. The OverTube removes from the street level: Emerging E-Modem, No.1 E-bikes, bicycles, fast road cycles, A to B modem, E-boards, skateboards, roller blades, hire E-scooters, push scooter and many joggers. What remains on the street level is Cars, carparks, trucks, slow bicycles, kids bikes, walkers/pedestrians/prams/patrons of destination, only E-modem that has exited the OverTube governed to walking speeds and/or enjoyment only.
The OverTube concept needs to be careful not to underestimate its uptake and usage demand if goes into production. We could even see a giant return of runners and joggers alone, as the OverTube bypasses all traffic lights and also all road accidents, making running a far faster, drier and more viable means of transport modem. The same could be said about potential for a mass bicycle migration, also E-bike and more boutique modem like speed running sticks, skates and the like that benefit substantially from an overhead system, resulting in monumentis demand in usage. Free from traffic stops, red lights and other barriers, the OverTube may be a lot faster means than people would think than cars which constantly break, and stop completely for lights.
Clear transparent tube construction- A transparent tube affords free lighting coming from the sunshine passing through, meaning there may be little or no need to light the OverTube, at night we already have street lights also would contribute. Transparency also allows lamp post light to pass through to the pavement not casting shadow. Is ultra clear glass a potential construction material? Or perhaps glass coverings on top of an acrylic tube? This would provide an excellent covering for pedestrians to walk underneath, glass blocks out UVB rays and would provide shelter from rain like how shop fronts do with having a porch.
OverTubes have the advantage of being a roading-barrier-free transport system, alike the motorway. The motorway is a continuous network, meaning there are no roading barriers and intersections, no traffic lights to stop flow. It would make sense to elevate a light transport systems for E-modem instead of for heavy vehicle transport that is better suited to the ground level from an engineering perspective.
E-bikes- There is a great deal to be explained about the advent of E-bikes. E-bikes are an electric replica of a bicycle and bicycles are a completed technology, unchanged in design for 100 years. Bicycles are energetically concise and energetically unbeatable. For this reason bicycles are a permanent accessory of the future. Therefore E-bikes are also a permanent fixture of the future. E-bikes are ultra efficient, robust and technological successor to bicycles, extending range, taking the punch out of hills, and also improve speed with only a small battery with hybrid pedal assist. Intellectually, we need to accommodate and liberate E-bike modem. The OverTube concept is in line with this factual glimpse into the future. If the OverTube transport system is constructed, it will be used, it will be heavily used and will unblock roads, humans who are below the legal age to drive on the road, will be able to ride the OverTube widening bandwith of plausible users. Could ten year olds be mature enough to ride the OverTube? Possibly yes, widening usefulness of transportation by 5 years or more. This would save lives, stress, teen traffic violation created depression, policing issues, fines related to problematic road rules, also reducing teen alcohol related vehicle issues, youth isolation, youth off of roads, less youths crossing roads, less roading pressure, return of carparks. A faultless second bridge crossing solution.
Current attempts to integrate bicycle lanes on the street level are proving expensive and unachievable. Even dedicated bike lanes have constant collision with walkers, dogs, curbstones, traffic lights every 100meters that completely stops every form of modem. Is the OverTube the basic, robust, low cost solution for transport woes, car jams, pedestrian safety, carbon free transport, energetic conformity. Would the OverTube be fun? Would everyone adopt it? Is it all weather? Yes. Would it be fun and fast? Yes. Would it be independent transport which everybody wants? Yes. Is it instant transport? Yes. Is the OverTube a low maintenance structure, yes. Is the OverTube a low friction ultra smooth factoryline surface ? Yes it is, a wind tunnel too, affording a secondary energetic gain.
Let's play catch up, as New Zealand is years behind other cities for technology adoption, the OverTube, if done right could be a real power play, let's explore this concept.
Ryan has donated the OverTube concept to prove his suitability as mayor of Auckland. This concept is a free resource.
Engineering: H6400mm X W5000mm pre-stressed glass construction or possibly low flex plastic/acrylic for overhead network, potential flexible polycarbonate for bathymetric use. Containing a vertical mid-pillar serving as the dominant structural element, substantial dividing wall. 80mm X 5000mm subterranean use. 120mm+ X 5000mm overhead OverTube use. Mid-pillar braced beam with high self-supporting structural value, encased within a cylindrical lattice bearing a secondary lateral structural value and bracing value, two floor support beams affording a floor rigidity component, additional minor structural support.
