Efficient Transit Solutions November 18, 2010 |
Dear Colleagues,
ULTra's October 19 statement that the "London 'Heathrow pod' system is now the world's first to move to 12-hour-per-day, 7-days-per-week-service, carrying members of the general public (retail staff commuting to work at T5) on unscheduled trips," is the most important single news item we have ever reported. Modern PRT is finally here! We believe the 2getthere system at Masdar is just weeks away from also entering public service. If both systems are successful (as indicated by initial reports from Heathrow), there will be no doubt that PRT works in small configurations with light loads. There is an abundance of evidence suggesting that these systems (and others being developed) will be scalable to meet much larger needs. Projects such as the one in Amritsar, India, mentioned below, will require scalability and will hopefully soon demonstrate the viability of PRT over a wider area and under larger loads.
It's time to start planning for ATRA's Technix Conference in DC January 22nd, followed immediately by TRB. I hope to see you there!
Best regards,
Peter J. Muller, PE
President |