Personal Rapid Transit

Personal Rapid TransitPersonal Rapid Transit

Fort Carson Community Sustainability

What is PRT?What is PRT? Example SystemsExample Systems VisualizationVisualization PRT CharacteristicsPRT Characteristics Comparison with Other SystemsComparison with Other Systems Video/AnimationVideo/Animation

Outline

Planning - is PRT appropriate? Simulations Alternatives analyses (layouts & systems) Benefit/cost analyses

Engineering Station & guideway design System operation

Procurement choose the best vendor

Independent ConsultantIndependent Consultant

PRT Consulting, Inc.

Direct origin to destination serviceDirect origin to destination service No need to transfer or stopNo need to transfer or stop

Small vehiclesSmall vehicles Service on demand – not scheduledService on demand – not scheduled Fully automated vehicles (T-Pods)Fully automated vehicles (T-Pods)

What is Personal Rapid Transit (PRT)?

T-Pods may be captive to a guidewayT-Pods may be captive to a guideway Small guideways – elevated, at grade or Small guideways – elevated, at grade or

undergroundunderground T-Pods can use all guideways and stations on a T-Pods can use all guideways and stations on a

fully connected networkfully connected network


Suspended (JPods)Suspended (JPods)

Open Guideway (ULTra)Open Guideway (ULTra)

Captive Bogey (Postech)Captive Bogey (Postech)


Vehicles carry 4 – 20 passengersVehicles carry 4 – 20 passengers Max. speed = 25mphMax. speed = 25mph Capacity up to 2,500pphpdCapacity up to 2,500pphpd Vendor is 2getthere Vendor is 2getthere http://www.2getthere.euhttp://www.2getthere.eu Operating since 1997Operating since 1997

2getthere

2getthere T-Pod capacity

2getthere T-Pod interior

2,650 lb gross weight2,650 lb gross weight 4 passengers4 passengers 25 mph25 mph 2KW continuous 2KW continuous battery powerbattery power www.atsltd.co.ukwww.atsltd.co.uk

The ULTra systemT-Pod FeaturesT-Pod Features

T-Pod interior

Elevated guideway costs similar to footbridgeElevated guideway costs similar to footbridge 6ft U-shaped guideway6ft U-shaped guideway Capacity similar to freeway laneCapacity similar to freeway lane

Infrastructure features

In operation since In operation since 19751975

15 second headways15 second headways 5,000 pphpd 5,000 pphpd Intermediate stations Intermediate stations

are bypassedare bypassed 98.5% availability98.5% availability

(Transit LOS A)(Transit LOS A)

Credit: John Bell

Morgantown

Speeds up to 30mphSpeeds up to 30mph 10% maximum gradient10% maximum gradient Capital cost ($126M) overran budgetCapital cost ($126M) overran budget Operating cost $3.3M/year ($1.50/passenger, Operating cost $3.3M/year ($1.50/passenger,

$0.94/passenger mile)$0.94/passenger mile) 2 additional stations2 additional stations being plannedbeing planned

Morgantown

Comparative Visualization

Personal Rapid Transitand

Conventional Transit

DestinationStation 1Station 2Station 3Station 4

Personal Rapid TransitPersonal Rapid Transit Conventional TransitConventional Transit









PRT Characteristics

40% of shuttle bus at Heathrow40% of shuttle bus at Heathrow 67% of shuttle bus at DIA67% of shuttle bus at DIA 45% of APM at DIA45% of APM at DIA 15min. Time savings at Morgantown15min. Time savings at Morgantown Results from no waiting and non-stop travel, not Results from no waiting and non-stop travel, not

speedspeed

Trip Time

One way trafficOne way traffic Lower maximum speedsLower maximum speeds Separated from other traffic and pedestriansSeparated from other traffic and pedestrians Crowding (a potential security vulnerability) is Crowding (a potential security vulnerability) is

avoidedavoided 110 million injury-free passenger miles at 110 million injury-free passenger miles at

Morgantown (regular transit would have injured Morgantown (regular transit would have injured over 100)over 100)

Safety and Security

0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000

AmtrackBus Transit

Personal TruckCommercial Air

AutoRail Transit

Commuter RailMotorcycle

VanpoolULTra

Skyweb Express

BTU/ Passenger Mile

Energy Use

Source: Booz Allen Hamilton

Operating Cost per Passenger

US$5 – 15 million per one-way mile completeUS$5 – 15 million per one-way mile complete Two-way is less than doubleTwo-way is less than double

Probable Capital Costs

Compared PRT withCompared PRT with Conventional Transit (Light Rail, Bus)Conventional Transit (Light Rail, Bus) AutomobileAutomobile

GoodGood OKOK BadBad

Comparison Study

TransitTransit CarCar PRTPRTNew technologyNew technologyTrip TimeTrip TimeCost per passengerCost per passengerOn-demand 24/7On-demand 24/7TransfersTransfersSeated travelSeated travelPrivatePrivateNon-stopNon-stopVehicle waits for Vehicle waits for passengerpassenger

More like a car than a bus

Comparison Study

TransitTransit CarCar PRTPRTADA compliantADA compliantSafe and secureSafe and secureUser friendlyUser friendlySnow & iceSnow & iceMinimal walkingMinimal walkingEnvironmentally friendlyEnvironmentally friendlyEnergy efficientEnergy efficientVisually appealingVisually appealingOperate inside buildingsOperate inside buildings

Comparison Study

First Class Transit


Documents

Personal Rapid Transit