The Aérotrain was an experimental Tracked Air Cushion Vehicle
(TACV), or hovertrain, developed in France from 1965 to 1977 under the engineering leadership of Jean Bertin (1917–1975) – and intended to bring the French rail network to the cutting edge of land-based public transportation.
A remaining section of the Aérotrain track near Saran 2006
Aérotrain prototype #02
Prototype 02 of the aérotrain at an exhibition at Saran, 2009; rear view
Prototype 02 of the aérotrain at an exhibition at Saran, 2009; front view
A hovertrain is a type of high-speed train that replaces conventional steel wheels with hovercraft lift pads, and the conventional railway bed with a paved road-like surface, known as the track or guideway. The concept aims to eliminate rolling resistance and allow very high performance, while also simplifying the infrastructure needed to lay new lines. Hovertrain is a generic term, and the vehicles are more commonly referred to by their project names where they were developed. In the UK they are known as tracked hovercraft, in the US they are tracked air-cushion vehicles. The first hovertrain was developed by Jean Bertin in the early 1960s in France, where they were marketed as the Aérotrain before being abandoned by the French government.
Duke Hospital PRT
Narita Airport Terminal 2 Shuttle System
Tracked Hovercraft test system, the RTV 31.
Aérotrain prototype #02