Vehicle-based guided switching

A track switching arrangement for a track-based guided transportation system, the track switching arrangement forming diverging pathways and enabling vehicle-side switching of a vehicle in the guided transportation system, the track switching arrangement comprising:

• an upstream pathway;
• two downstream pathways;
• and
• a path switching transition region having the diverging pathways between the upstream pathway and the two downstream pathways,
• wherein each of the pathways comprises track elements configured to interact with one or more respective bearings of the vehicle to provide levitation to the vehicle and/or guidance for the vehicle,
• wherein the track elements form an overhung track arrangement having an overhead bearing surface, and
• wherein the track elements comprise four tracks configured for respective selective interaction with two out-of-plane bearings and two in-plane bearings of the vehicle,
• wherein the four tracks include:
• two outer tracks configured for the interaction with the two out-of-plane bearings;
• and
• two inner tracks configured for the interaction with the two in-plane bearings arranged between the two outer tracks,
• wherein the two inner tracks each have in-plane bearing surfaces that are parallel to each other, and
• wherein the two outer tracks have respective symmetrically-arranged out-of-plane bearing surfaces that are non-parallel to each other and non-parallel to the in-plane bearing surfaces of the two inner tracks.