A ROADWAY FOR DECELERATING AND/OR ACCELERATING A VEHICLE INCLUDING AND AIRCRAFT
A roadway (101) upon which a vehicle travels is provided in which the vehicle is decelerated. The roadway (101) includes: a movable surface (102, 108) extending in a direction of the vehicle's travel; and a potential energy storage mechanism (110, 200) operatively connected to the movable surface (102, 108) for converting a kinetic energy of the vehicle into potential energy upon movement of the movable surface thereby slowing the vehicle. Also provided is a roadway (101) upon which a wheeled vehicle travels in which the vehicle is accelerated. The roadway (101) includes: a movable surface (102, 108) extending in a direction of the vehicle's travel; and a potential energy transfer mechanism (110, 200) operatively connected to the movable surface (102, 108) for transferring a stored potential energy associated with the movable surface (102, 108) into kinetic energy upon movement of the movable surface (102, 108) thereby propelling the vehicle.