A 1/24th scale model of the SVS (Suspended Vehicle System) guideway was constructed, instrumented, and tested. The model simulated five 250-ft-spans of the cable-stayed guideway for high-speed mass transportation type vehicles. Model vehicles consisting of single bogeys and single cars were designed and used during the test program. A falling weight type propulsion device was used to propel the model vehicles across the guideway at speeds up to 46 ft/sec.

The middle span of the guideway was instrumented with LVDTs to measure deflections and an accelerometer to detect vibrational frequencies. The output of ten LVDTs was recorded on either a Sanborn strip chart recorder or a magnetic type recorder. The accelerometer supplied a signal to a real-time frequency analyzer.

The testing program consisted of both static and dynamic phases. Static tests were used to determine the behavior of the structure to dead loads. Free vibration tests indicated the fundamental structural frequencies, and moving load tests measured the response of the system to moving vehicle conditions. Although no theoretical analysis is presented, an analysis was carried out independently by other researchers and used as a basis of comparison.

The results of the static testing indicated that the structure behaved in a linear manner with respect to loading. When compared with calculated values, the static test date gave higher deflections and this indicated a "softer" guideway than was predicted.

The dynamic part of the test program consisted of free vibration tests and moving load tests. The free vibration tests were used to detect the natural frequencies of the guideway and the results compared well with predicted values. Actual guidway operation was simulated in the moving load tests. Some dynamic amplification was noted at higher vehicle speeds but resonance conditions were not detected.