Promotion through promotion
Even though the basic idea of the gyro-stabilized monorail was presented by Brennan as early as 1907, its implementation in today's world is largely uncharted territory: For example, there are hardly any directly applicable development specifications for the stabilization system and the running gear, so they have to be worked out in intensive research. In short, the project is very complex, the technical and economic risks are high and the necessary preliminary research work is extensive.
Even though with the project partners - Landeseisenbahn Lippe e.V., Technische Hochschule OWL, FH Bielefeld and Fraunhofer IOSB-INA - a competent team is working on MONOCAB, the realization cannot be afforded within a competitive period of time with the basic funding of the research institutions. Only with appropriate funding can MONOCAB make sustainable mobility in rural areas a nationwide showcase project and consolidate OWL as an innovation location in NRW.
The necessary funding for the project is therefore provided by ERDF, currently the most important economic and structural policy program in North Rhine-Westphalia. ERDF stands for "European Regional Development Fund". The fund supports structurally weak regions through measures that, among other things, advance innovations, research and technological developments as well as contribute to climate protection and the protection of the environment - like MONOCAB.
The technical and economic feasibility of MONOCAB as an important foundation of the project can only be evaluated with the support of the ERDF. In this way, the concept can be implemented efficiently, agilely and, above all, promptly.
The funding is thus driving forward a forward-looking multimodal transport solution for a good and individually mobile life in rural areas. This can later give rise to other potential mobility offerings, such as a campus streetcar, factory transport or just-in-time transport.
Last but not least, the financial support from the ERDF can ensure that the subsequent commercialization of the MONOCABs will slow down the departure of highly specialized skilled workers from rural regions - and make the state even more attractive for the influx of skilled workers. The accumulated knowledge and new competencies from this innovative project are therefore to be consolidated and used in NRW. And, of course, the added value should also remain in the region.
Therefore: Without ERDF no MONOCAB "made in OWL".