About the book

We can hardly imagine how many transportation modes are now in existence. It is life that motivates advent of new vehicles. Our current progress in science and technology provides basis for new forms of transportation.  We may suppose that the immediate decades will see superspeed trains with magnetic and air suspension. Air traffic will be dominated by large jet aircraft, primarily airbuses, and airships will also find numerous applications. For cross water routes hydrofoils. hovercraft. and ground effect machines will be used whose time tables and navigation will be controlled from space.

The book discusses the development of a number of promising vehicles, such as fast wheelless trains, and shows the perspective of their advancement, The material of the book is based on a great deal of facts concerning the latest achievements in the field.

The book is intended for those who are interested in the history of transportation, anew technical ideas, and prospects of transport technology.

CONTENT

At the Start of a New Transportation Method
How to Make the Distant Closer
Travel and Progress of Civilization
Speed and Technological Progress
Transportation and Mankind
The Development of Transportation
Social Implication of Transportation
What is Better——a Tractor or an Electric Train?
Multiple Requirements for Transportation
Project Feasibility Analysis
Airships – a Proposition for the Future or a Transportation for Today?
Cushion but of What Type?
When the Wheel Fails to Do the Job
A Winged Train on an Air Cushion
Trains with Magnetic Suspension
Humans in a Magnetic Field
Northwards to Work, Southwards Home
The Surprises of Permafrost
ACVs for Northern Regions
The Development Strategy for the Soviet North
Trains for Vacation Flights
Wheel less Trains on Short Sections 108 Wheel less Trains over Long Distances
The Future Begins Today
Projects, Projects, Projects
Flying above the Waves
The World of Transport Today and Tomorrow
Some Milestones in the Soviet Literature