START: A system of transportation applying rendezvous technology

START (system of transportation applying rendezvous technology) is a side-by-side rendezvous technique designed to improve the collection and transfer of passengers in a rail-guided intercity transportation system. In operation, a nonstop express train provides service between cities, while frequent-stop local trains are used to provide coverage of metropolitan areas. The local trains link up with the express trains through a side-by-side rendezvous on parallel rendezvous tracks, and transfer of passengers and cargo takes place while both trains are in motion. The START concept offers the advantage that passengers and cargo can be transferred at many points along an intercity express route without severely affecting the average speed of the intercity system.