Transportation within StarBase 118: Difference between revisions

Because the habitation dome is a hollow interior of the base, a special system was designed to allow for the least impact on the dome's interior view, while allowing lifts to traverse through this area. A highly compact "core" extends from the top to the bottom of the dome, and contains six express-sized transparent tubes. Three of the six core tubes are express-only, through which Type B cars travel, without stopping, to lower or upper portions of the base.  

To alleviate traffic above, below, and in the habitation dome itself, wait stations have been placed above and below the dome.

The wait station located above the dome is two decks high, though it does not encompass the entire floor area of both decks -- instead occupying an area surrounding the six core turbolift tubes. The lower deck of this wait station is the stopping point for the three express-sized tubes which service the habitation dome only. These three lifts travel in a staggered pattern to and from the lower wait station, located below the floor of the dome.

 

It is important to note that the three tubes which these lifts are utilizing are actually also being used by express lifts which are moving towards other destinations besides these wait stations. The lifts which travel in the three tubes allocated for movement between the two wait stations on either side of the dome move into "loading bays" while in the wait stations. These loading bays are off the main "track" of the tube, and thus other express lifts can pass through the tubes while the lifts are being loaded and preparing to move to the opposide wait station. For even further efficiency, each tube actually has two loading bays, so that ''three'' lifts moving between the two wait stations can actually share each tube, while express lifts are also using the tubes! [[:Image:Lifts-animated.gif|An animation]] detailing the movement of lifts within one tube is available.

 

The upper ''deck'' of this upper wait station is specifically for the multitude of Type C and Type B lifts coming from local destinations and remote destinations ''above'' the dome. So, for example, if you are travelling from the docking bay and wish to visit a restaurant in the dome, you would board an express lift from the docking bay area to the upper deck of the upper wait station.  

 

The upper and lower decks of this wait station are connected by moving escalators, stairs, and a single Type C lift (for disabled passengers). Passengers must move from the upper deck to the lower deck if they wish to continue on their journey to the lower wait station.

 

Similarly, to move from the lower wait station onto the actual "ground level" of the dome, passengers must use escalators, stairs, or one of the few Type C lifts. No ''express'' elevators, or elevators moving to or from either of the wait stations actually stop on the ground level of the dome. The wait stations are used exclusively so as to avoid traffic wherever possible on the floor of the dome.

 

The lower wait station differs from the upper wait station in that it is only one level and the area into which it is built is not exclusively devoted to the wait station. In fact, the deck below the ground level of the dome is also built for transportation around the dome.  

 

Because the dome is so large, it can be difficult to move from one side to the other. As such, this deck below the dome also houses horizontally moving lifts which travel to any of the dozens of "stations" throughout the deck. Those wishing to travel from one are of the dome to the other can thus use this transportation system to travel to destinations throughout the dome, and then to the main wait station, where they can travel to other sections of the base. One can imagine an early 21st century subway system for a similar image of how this "subterranean" area would feel.

 

Lines for lifts to access decks above the dome, can often be as long as five to ten minutes, during certain hours of the day.

All route examples assume that you may be required to take a Type C (Standard) lift to a Type B (Large/express) lift, depending on your starting location.

** Routing: Take a Type C (local) lift to a Type B (express) lift loading station. After requesting the Command Center as your destination, a Type B (express) lift will arrive. This lift will travel through the central core shaft of the Commercial Dome and may stop at a limited number of loading stations before arriving at the Command Center lift loading station. You will then need to board a Type A (local) lift to reach the upper decks of the Command Center, or walk up a few flights of stairs.

** Routing: Take a Type C (local) lift to a Type B (express) lift loading station. After requesting the Commercial Dome floor as your destination, a Type B (express) lift will arrive. This lift will stop at the Lower Wait Station (LWS). Depending on your mobility, you can utilize the stairs, escalators, or wait for one of the Type C lifts moving up one deck to the dome floor. Depending on what deck of the Engineering Section you are located on, it's possible you could instead take just a Type C (local) lift.

** Routing: Take a Type C (local) lift to the the Command Center lift loading station. After requesting the Commercial Dome floor as your destination, a Type B (express) lift will arrive. This lift will travel through the central core shaft of the Commercial Dome and may stop at a limited number of loading stations before arriving at the Lower Wait Station. Then, depending on your mobility, utilize the stairs, escalators, or wait for one of the Type C lifts moving up one deck to the Dome floor.