Pivot Switch System and Method

A method of switching a travel path of a guided automatic transit vehicle (GATV), the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a guideway having a flat running surface with a central trough portion having a first edge and a second edge;
• providing the switch system on the guideway, the switch system comprising:
• a continuous guide having a first end and a pivotable second end opposite the first end, the guide further comprising:
• a first edge comprising a first edge profile;
• a second edge comprising a second edge profile;
• a first continuous sidewall along the first edge between the first and the second end of the continuous guide;
• and
• a second continuous sidewall along the second edge between the first and the second end of the continuous guide
• a pivot point about the pivotable second end, the pivot point having a pivot axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the continuous guide for pivoting the switch system between an initial first position and a final second position;
• guiding the GATV on the guideway along a first path of travel;
• and
• selectively pivoting the switch system between the initial first position and the final second position,
• wherein the switch system at the initial first position when the first continuous sidewall is aligned with the second edge of the central trough portion maintains the GATV along the first path of travel via the first continuous sidewall;
• and
• wherein the switch system at the final second position when the second continuous sidewall is aligned with the first edge of the central trough portion redirects the GATV to travel along a second path of travel via the second continuous sidewall.