Citrus: Novel rail plan is from Citrus

Novel rail plan is from Citrus

The proposal for tube transport that mimics ''friction-free travel conditions of outer space'' comes from an ex-official known for novel ideas.

By ALEX LEARY, Times Staff Writer

CRYSTAL RIVER -- Of the scores of men and women elected to the Crystal River City Council over the years, few have left more of an impression than Daryl Oster.

In his first year alone, Oster proposed replacing police officers with video cameras, likened compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act to communism and aimed a banana at other council members as if it were a gun.

Oster outlasted a recall attempt and did not seek re-election in 1997, largely fading from the scene thereafter.

Now he has returned in large fashion.

On Monday, Oster's company, Et3.com, submitted a bid to develop the first leg of the state's high-speed rail network, linking Orlando and Tampa.

Development of the so-called bullet train is mandated by an amendment to the state Constitution voters approved in 2000. Construction is supposed to begin in mid 2004.

Et3.com is one of four bidders. The other companies proposed an electric powered rail system, one fueled by diesel, and a monorail.

Oster's $1.2-billion concept is less conventional, using an "evacuated tube transport" system he claims would be fast enough to move people between New York and Los Angeles in 45 minutes, or from Washington, D.C., to China in two hours, reaching a top speed of 4,000 mph.

The company, based in Oster's Crystal River home, has no physical assets and no employees, according to its Web site, www.et3.com. Oster said he studied mechanical engineering at Walla Walla College in Washington state, but he did not graduate.

Oster has a patent on his idea and, for $100, licenses the concept to others, who work in conjunction to develop the technology, much like "open source" software in which collaborators are paid for their contribution.

Evacuated Tube Transport Technology, or Et3, is promoted by the company as the "next quantum leap in transportation" and works by "mimicking friction-free travel conditions of outer space."

Pressurized passenger capsules would travel in tubes on thin steel wheels, according to the Web site. Linear motors would accelerate the capsules, but the carriers would coast most of the trip.

When the capsules slow down, generators would recover most of the electrical energy used to accelerate.

"Riding ETT will be like traveling in a very quiet airplane in a semi-reclined position, perhaps watching a movie," the Web site states. "The ride will be smoother than any luxury car or airplane, and not at a disturbing 32,000 feet above the ground."

The company envisions reclined seating and "virtual window displays to allow the simulation of whatever environment the rider prefers; or TV, movies, video games, etc. may be displayed to provide distraction from negative thoughts."

If a passenger becomes sick, the Web site says, he could push a button and be diverted to the nearest terminal. Heart monitors could also be used. "In case of a false alarm, the person indicating the false alarm could be charged a fine to discourage misuse."

Oster, 40, could not be reached Tuesday. He has not been seen in Crystal River for at least a month; acquaintances said Tuesday he may be out of the country. His cell phone number did not work and he did not respond to e-mail.

Nazih Haddad, staff director for the Florida High Speed Rail Authority, said he could not comment on Oster's proposal because he had not yet reviewed all the material.

But he said the novel approach could take some getting used to.

"When you are proposing something new in terms of technology, you have to be very cognizant of that in your analysis of that," Haddad said. "The tendency is you would want to go with something that is tried, tested and you know works."

Haddad said the authority will likely not decide on any proposal until after the summer.

-- Alex Leary can be reached at 564-3623 or leary@sptimes.com .