THE URBATRAIN, A SUSPENDED MONORAIL INVOLVING THE AIR-CUSHION PRINCIPLE, WENT ON SHOW IN LYON ON WEDNESDAY. THE URBATRAIN IS THE FIRST OPERATIONAL PASSENGER-CARRYING VEHICLE DRIVEN BY A LINEAR INDUCTION MOTOR. IT WILL GO INTO SERVICE IN 1970 ON AN EXPERIMENTAL LINE AMONG THE BANKS OF THE RHONE RIVER IN LYON.

THE URBATRAIN CAN ACCELERATE TO 31 MILES AN HOUR (50 KILOMETRES) IN 40 YARDS (36 METRES) AMD BRAKE TO A STOP AGAIN IN LESS THAN 28 METRES (20 YARDS). SUCTION FANS CREATE A PARTIAL VACUUM BETWEEN THE TRAIN AND THE RAIL. THE COST OF THE FIRST LINE IS AN ESTIMATED 70-MILLION FRANCS (GBP5.8-MILLION STERLING).

THE URBATRAIN HAS BEEN DESIGNED IN SUCH A WAY THAT IT CAN NEITHER FALL TO THE GROUND NOR BE DERAILED. THERE IS ALSO A VERY SMALL RISK OF COLLISION AS THE URBATRAIN GOES IN ONE DIRECTION ON A SINGLE RAIL. AN ADDITIONAL FACTOR OF SAFETY IS THE AUTOMATIC CONTROL OF TRAFFIC ON AN URBALINE.

COMFORT HAS BEEN PARTICULARLY CARED FOR ON THE URBATRAIN, THERE ARE NO VIBRATIONS AND THE TRAIN IS NOISELESS.. THE BUILDERS HOPE THAT THE TRAIN WILL DIMINISH TRAVELLERS' FATIGUE AND INCREASE EFFICIENCY AT WORK.