You could have a hierarchical system, with many slow lines for local travel, and fewer faster lines for long distance travel. There could be separate systems for small and large packages.a barcode, and perhaps wheels. The lanes are just a moving chain with tracks and fittings. (The boxes would be one of several standard sizes, perhaps each standard size could be twice as big as the last, so you can pack several small boxes together to make a large one) The boxes could be packed end to end, and get a smooth high speed transportation. You would have straight lines in various directions, as well as smoothly curved lines for changing direction.
At junctions you would have a set of points that scanned the barcode and sent each package in the right direction. You would have sections of track designed to accelerate and decelerate packages. These would be parallel to a main line, everything on a main line is moving at the same speed.
You could have a hirarchical system, with many slow lines for local travel, and fewer faster lines for long distance travel. There could be separate systems for small and large packages.
Some of the boxes would have seats in them. You could just get in and fall asleep and end up at your destination.
Advantages of this system:
Strongly maximises throughput per cross sectional area, as on the main throoughways, the boxes can be packed next to each other, and travel fast. (By making the outer walls smooth, air can be encouraged to move with the cargo, minimising air resistance)
No need for batteries. Motors don’t move themselves. All you are transporting is the cargo.
Minimises control circuitry. Only one control system needed per intersection. Completely automatic.
Compatible with regenerative breaking.
This approach is much more conveyor belt.
With this system, instead of cupboards, you would have doors to a small box port. You open a small door in your kitchen, like a kitchen cupboard. The item you want is not in there. You press a button nearby. In a few seconds, a box of stuff is moved from storage beneath your house and to the door. You open the door again, and find what you are looking for. You could call up the same cupboard full of stuff at your friends house, either with a password or identifying object.
You could have a hierarchical system, with many slow lines for local travel, and fewer faster lines for long distance travel. There could be separate systems for small and large packages.a barcode, and perhaps wheels. The lanes are just a moving chain with tracks and fittings. (The boxes would be one of several standard sizes, perhaps each standard size could be twice as big as the last, so you can pack several small boxes together to make a large one) The boxes could be packed end to end, and get a smooth high speed transportation. You would have straight lines in various directions, as well as smoothly curved lines for changing direction.
At junctions you would have a set of points that scanned the barcode and sent each package in the right direction. You would have sections of track designed to accelerate and decelerate packages. These would be parallel to a main line, everything on a main line is moving at the same speed.
You could have a hirarchical system, with many slow lines for local travel, and fewer faster lines for long distance travel. There could be separate systems for small and large packages.
Some of the boxes would have seats in them. You could just get in and fall asleep and end up at your destination.
Advantages of this system:
Strongly maximises throughput per cross sectional area, as on the main throoughways, the boxes can be packed next to each other, and travel fast. (By making the outer walls smooth, air can be encouraged to move with the cargo, minimising air resistance)
No need for batteries. Motors don’t move themselves. All you are transporting is the cargo.
Minimises control circuitry. Only one control system needed per intersection. Completely automatic.
Compatible with regenerative breaking.
This approach is much more conveyor belt.
With this system, instead of cupboards, you would have doors to a small box port. You open a small door in your kitchen, like a kitchen cupboard. The item you want is not in there. You press a button nearby. In a few seconds, a box of stuff is moved from storage beneath your house and to the door. You open the door again, and find what you are looking for. You could call up the same cupboard full of stuff at your friends house, either with a password or identifying object.