the stinger is a monorail automobile hybrid concept. long straight stretches of highway would be outfitted with a monorail in the center of the truck lane flush with the roadway. using the autopilot technology, the stinger is a steel wheel fixed to a strut that hydraulically engages with the monorail with enough pressure to offset the payload of the vehicle plus any vehicle weight that could be safely displaced. the vehicle would then be riding on rubber tires as well as the steel wheels, reducing friction and improving fuel efficiency.

this idea is in its infancy. i am interested in collaborating with people and/or companies interested in building a prototype and testing feasibility. currently, there are trucks that use air bags to engage extra sets of wheels when the truck is carrying a load. this idea is a similar concept; however, the wheel would be made of steel and would be located in the center of the axle. i believe this concept has potential to greatly increase fuel efficiency as well as reduce tire wear and road maintenance.

photo credit to futureatlas.com.

the railheads could be spaced every 100 miles or so, with full container facilities to move the freight from rail cars to trucks. in the long run, all railroads can be electrified to reduce use of fossil fuels; this would require major investment in locomotives and catenaries. trucks could also be electrified or retrofit with hybrid motors.