Self-propelled elevated transportation system

An elevated transportation system, comprising:

• a plurality of towers;
• a plurality of track segments operable to connect to said plurality of towers;
• a lift car operable to move along said plurality of track segments;
• wherein each tower of said plurality of towers is operable to receive and connect one or more track segments, and said plurality of towers operable to enable said lift car to move along said plurality track segments;
• and
• wherein a tower of said plurality of towers is a switch tower, said switch tower comprising:
• a single track port operable to connect to a track segment of said plurality of track segments, said single track port disposed on a first side of said switch tower;
• a multiple track port comprising a plurality of track ports, said multiple track port disposed on a second side of said switch tower, wherein each track port of said multiple track port is operable to connect to a track segment of said plurality of track segments;
• a rail switch cage disposed on said switch tower between said single track port and said multiple track port, said rail switch cage comprising a plurality of switch track segments, wherein each switch track segment of said plurality of switch track segments is operable to connect said single track port to a track port of said multiple track port;
• and
• a rail switch cage drive mechanism, wherein said rail switch cage drive mechanism is operable to move said rail switch cage relative to said single track port and said multiple track port to selectively align one of said plurality of switch track segments with said single track port and a track port contained within said multiple track port.

An elevated transportation system comprising:

• a plurality of towers;
• a plurality of track segments operable to connect to said plurality of towers;
• a lift car operable to move along said plurality of track segments, said lift car comprising:
• a chassis having an upper portion opposite a lower portion;
• a drive mechanism disposed on the upper portion of said chassis, said drive mechanism operable to move said lift car along said track segment;
• a control panel operable to enable control said car;
• a power source operable to power said drive mechanism;
• a sensor operable to communicate with a remote device;
• and
• wherein said lower portion of said chassis is operable to carry a payload;
• wherein each tower of said plurality of towers is operable to receive and connect one or more track segments, and said plurality of towers operable to enable said lift car to move along said plurality track segments;
• and
• wherein a tower of said plurality of towers is a switch tower, said switch tower comprising:
• a single track port operable to connect to a track segment of said plurality of track segments, said single track port disposed on a first side of said switch tower;
• a multiple track port comprising a plurality of track ports, said multiple track port disposed on a second side of said switch tower, wherein each track port of said multiple track port is operable to connect to a track segment of said plurality of track segments;
• a rail switch cage disposed on said switch tower between said single track port and said multiple track port, said rail switch cage comprising a plurality of switch track segments, wherein each switch track segment of said plurality of switch track segments is operable to connect said single track port to a track port of said multiple track port;
• and
• a rail switch cage drive mechanism, wherein said rail switch cage drive mechanism is operable to move said rail switch cage relative to said single track port and said multiple track port to selectively align one of said plurality of switch track segments with said single track port and a track port contained within said multiple track port.

A lift car operable to travel along a track segment, comprising:

• a chassis having an upper portion opposite a lower portion;
• an electric drive system disposed on the upper portion of said chassis, said electric drive system operable to move said lift car along said track segment, said electric drive system comprising:
• one or more electric motors;
• one or more drive pulleys;
• one or more stabilizer pulleys;
• and
• wherein said one or more electric motors are operable to drive said one or more drive pulleys and said one or more stabilizer pulleys are operable to pinch cables of a track segment;
• a control panel operable to enable control said car;
• a power source operable to power said drive mechanism;
• a sensor operable to communicate with a remote device;
• and
• wherein said lower portion of said chassis is operable to carry a payload.

A method of elevated transportation, comprising:

• providing a plurality of towers;
• connecting a plurality of track segments to said plurality of towers;
• providing a lift car;
• traveling, by operation of said lift car, from an origin to a destination along said plurality of track segments;
• and
• wherein said lift car is powered by an electric drive mechanism, said electric drive mechanism comprising:
• one or more electric motors;
• one or more drive pulleys;
• one or more stabilizer pulleys;
• and
• wherein said one or more electric motors are operable to drive said one or more drive pulleys and said one or more stabilizer pulleys are operable to pinch cables of a track segment.