Grand Canyon National Park

Request for Qualifications

(Phase I Prospectus)

Index

Appendix A

Team members (not on the parks list) qualifications and brochures

(Go to the above)

Appendix B

Articles supporting general discussion

(Go to the above)

Appendix C

Resumes Sky Train Personnel

Email for special link to Resume page

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Grand Canyon National Park

RFQ Phase I Prospectus

Grand Canyon Bus and Light Rail Transit System (11/26/99)

In this Phase 1 prospectus Sky Train Corporation has elected to work as a venture partner to a yet to be selected Concessionaire. We are in negotiations with potential candidates at this time and hope to fulfill this requirement in Phase 2, or with an addendum to this prospectus before selection time. This candidate would be the overall operator. For a list of team Qualifications of non short listed applicants see Appendix A.

Sky Train Corporation is registered in the state of Florida as an engineering company and qualified in transit studies by the Florida Department of Transportation. We have formed a consortium that proposes to fully meet the RFQ specifications.

We also propose to offer specially suited custom designs. These alternatives would use mostly standard off the shelf components to suit the Park's requirements, taking advantage of the non FTA regulations component. We intend to stress extreme safety standards for this system and thereby propose several rail type systems that would adhere to the low energy consumption standard selected for this initiative. This should allow the Park's selection of low cost, pollution, maintenance versus greater passenger safety and system reliability.

Transportation System Description

Overall System Description:

Our team members have been involved with the "Build and Operate" segment of a larger more complex system: an example is "GO Transit" in Toronto, Canada. This operation is nearing 80% fare box financing. See Appendix B Examples.

Light Rail System Description:

Diesel Multiple option is as follows:

1 DMU imported from a team member. In this case Sky Train will act as Consultant and Administrator.

2 DMU's are readily available technology with standard and proven designs such as the Siemens Regio Sprinter operating in Germany, the Budd Rail Diesel Cars that have already been in long term service, and are newly going into commuter service in Dallas Fort Worth, and many other examples across the world. In most cases performance has been highly satisfactory, the cars are bi-directional and consume diesel fuel according to the needs of each car.

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3 When operated on rail tracks at grade, there are risks of accidents at grade crossings and with animals wandering on the tracks. From time to time there are even problems with people walking on tracks. For this reason an engineman is required at the head end operating the vehicle.

4 This consortium would introduce a modern propulsion known as the "hybrid" system as described in the catalogs of Appendix A. The special advantage of this system is that the diesel engine is smaller and operates almost continuously at it's most efficient rate of speed and power output, putting electrical energy into a storage battery. The electric traction system draws energy from the battery during acceleration and returns the energy back to the battery during braking or while descending grades. The result is low fuel consumption and low pollution in the exhaust gasses.

Compared with standard diesel engines, pollution from the hybrid system will be:

Oxides of nitrogen 33%

Particulate matter 4%

Pollutants by weight 29%

Fuel economy would be greatly improved.

As an alternative to the smaller diesel engine generating electricity into the battery, the engine could be using CNG. See Appendix A for elaboration literature. To build these vehicles we would collaborate with our partners who have these capabilities.

The storage battery can provide electricity for maneuvering of the cars while the engine is not running.

Alternative systems:

We feel that criteria other then cost should be an issue in this transit system.

1 The main disadvantage of installing tracks at grade would be accidents at grade crossings or with people or animals walking on the tracks. A California study of their light rail systems shows 38 accidents with 17 fatalities in 1998. See Appendix B.

2 The ambiance within the park is one of silence except for the wind in the trees and the movement of the animals. The use of diesel self propelled cars will inflict engine noise throughout all the movement as well as the bells and whistles when the cars approach grade crossings.

3 The fences along the railroad track would create a severance, impeding migration of people and animals in the park.

4 Grading and ballast on rail lines would impede natural drainage and disturb the ecology.

5 Ballasted rail tracks require action to prevent growth of weeds which otherwise would choke drainage in the ballast. Weed control typically requires spraying with weed killers, again disturbing the ecology and poisoning the waterways.

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Recommended alternatives:

The first option would be to elevate the tracks on viaduct, in order to avoid the problems of severance, accidents, and weeds in the ballast.

The next option would be to provide a line side generating station and electrify the train operation. Electric services are much quieter than diesel self propelled cars. The hybrid technology reduces the noise to a lower level because of constant load, reduced engine size and revolutions per minute of the system.

The next option would be to select an overhead suspended system rather then a bottom supported system. For an overhead suspended system the tracks are small and high enough to create space for vehicles to pass beneath them, and passengers have an unimpeded view from the windows of the cars. A suspended monorail system has been in public city service since 1901. The consortium would also offer a suspended duo rail system, that lends itself readily to complete automation, that is, operation without engine men.

1 Overhead suspension offers rider appeal and improved view from an elevated system. This would be an enhancement for the passengers desiring to ride it. Statistics show at least a 30% increase in rider ship over elevated light rail.

2 Being an elevated system it can be totally automated eliminating the requirement of drivers, especially at night. The article by the Secretaries of the departments of Interior and Transportation promised 24 hour service. See article in Exhibit B.

3 The suspension system does not require tracks at grade where people and animals could be injured.

4 A suspended system can operate in very inclement weather, snow and ice.

5 If electrification is not acceptable, monorails can use the hybrid power plant to qualify as self propelled. Electric operation would require a stationary power plant at lineside.

6 The monorail will eliminate the need for grade crossings and bridges.

A monorail option is available:

Components for an electrically operated monorail. Copied after one in operation since 1901, having carried 1.5 billion passengers in their 2 car articulated units.

This would be more competitive to light rail.

A duorail Monorail is available, see front cover:

1. This dual rail monorail features a covered, hidden duct or rails which give great protection from weather and noise.

2. It can meet the self propelled requirement with diesel power or hybrid power plant. The steel rails can carry heavy cars or freight cars.

3. The ability to carry great weight will allow the use of 10 feet (3 meter) wide and 50 feet (15.5 meter) long cars, allowing crush loading of 200 persons. This needs only a small fleet, thereby reducing cost.

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4. This system could be equipped with a specially equipped fire fighting car that uses patented technology to either spray water, chemicals or flame retardant. It covers a swath 120 feet high and a reasonable distance to each side. The infrared targeting system provides 95% covering over live vegetation only.

5. The footings for the columns to carry the system create minimum trauma to the ground environment during construction and reduce the vibration transmitted into the earth during its operation.

Transit and Tour Bus System Description:

Tour busses can be purchased from a team member to qualify to the parks description and specification.

We again would suggest the hybrid power plant outlined under light rail above.

Since the diesel fueling facility is already in place, this more reliable system would actually reduce emissions below that of non-hybrid CNG The CNG concept could be eliminated at the Park's discretion or hybrid technology and CNG power plants could be introduced after a pilot projects success. We do not have CNG hybrid type of technology in practice nor have data. Therefore the CNG technology would not qualify under our proven technology statement and would be considered an experimental pilot project.

Buildings and Facilities Description:

Loading Platforms / Transit Stations - We feel that we have one of the leading intermodal design members on our team. Stations will be designed to optimize esthetics and function, minimizing cost in the process, and satisfy the Park's specific criteria.

Ticketing - Cost control and ticketing will be handled in an efficient state of the art manner by our team member.

Maintenance Facilities - Sky Train and their team members will design, equip and staff the multi-mode repair stations while also absorbing present maintenance staff.

Miscellaneous - Sundry requirements to meet the specifications of the Park's and their consultants will be met or negotiated to satisfactory resolution making the overall operation a win - win scenario for the Department of Parks and the Concessionaire teams.

Cost - Upon the disclosure of final Parks information we will evaluate the profitability of this venture and detail further construction.

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