PRT Consulting, Inc.
Efficient Transit Solutions                                                           July 2012
 
Dear Colleagues, Peter Muller  

 

Signs of personal rapid transit (PRT) becoming accepted by the mainstream transit industry are beginning to appear. Although these first few signs are small, each seems to be a first of its kind and, together, they may be significant indications of a tipping point. The fact that they are all happening at the same time seems to add to the significance. Nonetheless, we are by no means saying a tipping point has been reached - only that these may be the early signs of one.

 

UK Tram is a British organization established to provide key stakeholders in the UK tramway industry with a single voice in dealing with government and statutory bodies with regards to a coordinated and structured approach to regulation, procurement and standardization. It recently included personal rapid transit along with light rail and ultra-light rail in a General Guidance Note and a series of Advice Notes for promoters considering such systems. This inclusion apparently sets PRT on a par with the two longer-established rail systems, to be considered on its own merits.

 

The Chief Minister of Haryana, India, has directed Ultra Fairwood to commence a PRT project within three months. Of significance is the size of this urban project, which is planned for 623,000 daily passengers. This project would take PRT to a whole new level and it represents a very bold move. The pressure for improved mobility is high in India. The fact that a government agency is willing to move ahead with such a large project is significant and seems to speak to both the extent of the problem and the promise of PRT. While PRT may be an ideal solution, there is some concern that this project may be overly ambitious.

 

The 3rd International Conference on Urban Transportation Systems to be held in Paris November 12 to 14, 2012 will include six different papers/presentations on PRT and automated transit networks spread over three different sessions. Sponsored by the American Society of Civil Engineers, this conference will offer a forum for civil engineers seeking to address civil engineering applications associated with all modes of public transportation, including bus and rail. To our knowledge, this represents the most papers on this topic at a contemporary conference not focused on automated transportation systems.

The Heathrow pod, created by Bristol's Ultra Global PRT, will take a prime starring role in the Make it in Great Britain exhibition at London's Science Museum. Ultra Global MD Fraser Brown commented: "It's fantastic to see our exhibit representing the British manufacturing industry in the Science Museum. We're a comparatively small company, although admittedly with big ideas, and here we are alongside iconic companies like McLaren, Airbus, The Royal Mint and Sunseeker, representing what's so great about British manufacturing." The fact that such a small company was able to successfully compete for a key position in this exhibition seems to speak to the perceived value and growing acceptance of their product.

 

Each of the above four events represents a small step for PRT into the mainstream of the transportation world. Combined, these steps may not constitute a giant leap, but they do seem significant.

 

Best regards, 

Peter J. Muller, P.E. 

President 

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July 2012 News Updates 

 

Heathrow Pod to be extended?

Heathrow's unique personal rapid transit system could be expanded to the airport's central terminal area. BAA, Heathrow Airport operator, has yet to approve the extension but Ultra has completed a feasibility study for it. The expanded system could connect Terminals 1, 2 and 3 to each other as well as other airport facilities. Read more...

 

Personal Rapid Transit Going Mainstream?

Signs of personal rapid transit (PRT) becoming accepted by the mainstream transit industry are beginning to appear. Although these first few signs are small, each seems to be a first of its kind and, together, they may be significant indications of a tipping point. Read more...

 

Podcars - The Future of Mexican Transportation!

This article discusses Mexico City's top ranking for commuter pain and how personal rapid transit could be the answer. The author is apparently unaware of the Modutram PRT system being developed in Guadalajara. Read more...

 

Ultra's Adam Ruddle at London Science Museum

This video clip includes Ruddle discussing the The Heathrow Pod, as personal rapid transit system built by Ultra Global and installed and operating at Heathrow Airport. The pod resulted from a project at Bristol University. Ultra hopes to install similar systems in airports and cities around the world. Watch the video...

 

London Science Museum FeaturesHeathrow Pod

The small Ultra Global company is exhibiting shoulder to shoulder with much larger companies such as McLaren, Airbus, The Royal Mint and Sunseeker at the London Science Museum in testimony to the potential significance of the personal rapid transit system they developed. The exhibition is free and runs from 24 July until 9 September. Read more...

 

Amritsar traders also against PRT system

Traders at the Hall Bazaar and nearby markets are continuing to protest the proposed personal rapid transit system in Amritsar. They fear loss of clientele and disruptions to traffic during construction. In addition, they are afraid the system might cause tourists to lose touch with heritage bazaars. Read more...

 

America's One and Only Personal Rapid Transit System

Fairly comprehensive article on the history and performance of the Morgantown PRT system. It explains direct travel bypassing stations and concludes by quoting Arlie Foreman to the effect that then PRT shows "how cities can better cope with pollution, traffic and environmental demands." Read more...

 

Global Warming's Terrifying New Math

More than enough reason to support personal rapid transit if you think it can help reduce fossil fuel use. Read this (it takes about half and hour) if you are at all concerned about your future (let alone that of your children). Read more...

 

The Case for Personal Rapid Transit, LA 1971

A report by A.J. Sobey and J.W. Cone of Transportation Technology Incorporated titled "The Case for Personal Rapid Transit," and printed in the Highway Research Record No.367. It is available at The Los Angeles Metro Transportation Research Library. Read more...

 

PRT gains official recognition in UK

UK Tram has included personal rapid transit in its general Guidance Note and a series of Advice Notes. These Notes are intended to assist promoters in considering a Light rail, Ultra Light Rail or Personal Rapid Transit Scheme. They provide practical help with project preparation and business case development. Read more...


Toronto looks at some bizarre transit options

Despite the title and the author stating that he is somewhat skeptical of PRT, this article ends with "That said, there's something about pod cars that just feels like the mid-20th century idea of The Future." Read more...

 

India's Ancient Basis for Innovation

This article offers to explain why India is surging ahead in personal rapid transit (PRT) activity. Land use, energy and emissions, safety, low cost, scalability and, finally, enthusiasm about the future, are given as reasons why PRT is so attractive in India. Read more...

 

6.3 Out of 10 Favorable Vote for PRT

Recently interviewed by Bloomington, Minnesota's The Civic Caucus, Steve Elkins, Chair, Transportation Committee, Metropolitan Council said he believes that eventually a system that pairs LRT and bus rapid transit (BRT) with Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) will be viewed as an ideal solution. When readers were polled about the use of PRT in the suburbs, the results were: 10% strongly disagreed; 20% moderately disagreed; 10% were neutral; 30% moderately agreed; 30% strongly agreed. Read more...


Better Public Transportation with Vectus Personal Rapid Transit

A brief description of the Vectus personal rapid transit system is provided along with a number of seldom-seen pictures. PRT is compared to the Disney monorail system. The author concludes that PRT has great potential for cities and especially people with disabilities but suggests that careful station and vehicle access design will be vital. Read more...

 

Modutram Newsletter, June 2012

The development of the ModuTram GRT (Group Rapid Transit) system is progressing as planned. This newsletter summarizes some of the major accomplishments of the first six months of 2012 and the plans for the upcoming six months. Google translation. Contact us directly for a better English version with pictures.

 

Mayor pitches pod cars to solve Google housing dilemma

In a last-minute effort to allow new North Bayshore housing for Google in the city's general plan update, Mayor Mike Kasperzak is proposing a system of pod cars to solve traffic issues...In 2010, city staff estimated that an 8.5-mile-long system with 24 stations would cost between $60 million and $130 million. Read more...

 

After winning Amritsar pod car project, Fairwood plans factory in Noida

New Delhi, July 10: Fairwood, the company that is introducing the pod car in India in a tie-up with the UK-based Ultra, plans to set up a manufacturing factory in the National Capital Region in Noida, Greater Noida or Gurgaon over the next four five months. Read more...


Large-Scale Personal Rapid Transit Projects and Studies in India

There are two large PRT projects underway in India, as of July, 2012. One is to be located in Amritsar to provide services to visitors to its Golden Temple The expected patronage forecast is 100,000 persons per day. The second project is located in Guragon which is a major eco-city project in northern India. Its expected patronage is in excess of 600,000 persons per day. Read more...

 

Experts for brakes on Amritsar's PRTS plan

The state government's ambitious PRTS (Personal Rapid Transport System) in the holy city will eclipse the view of its significant landmarks like Golden Temple, Jallianwalla Bagh, Town Hall and Hall Gate, besides adversely affecting the heritage character of the walled city, fear conservation and architecture experts. Read more...

 

Pod cars on their way to Toronto?

Door-to-door transit could be on its way to Toronto. If successful, prototypes that exist in England and in the United Arab Emirates would transform transit in our city by 2040. Matt Hexemer, lead designer of a team working on a pod car, said the driverless vehicles would reduce road congestion. Read more...


Three Personal Rapid Transit Trips

Three minute movie clip depicting trips on Ultra, Vectus and 2getthere personal rapid transit systems. This clip includes destination selection, door operation, station operation, travel, station bypassing, merging, arrival and alighting. View video

 

The Uncertain Future Of Pod-cars

Trivandrum: Infrastructure Kerala Ltd (INKEL) had brought up the idea of pod-cars around the same time when monorail was being pushed as a Mass Rapid Transit System for the city. As of now, monorails do not appear likely as the government is waiting for E Sreedharan's report on the feasibility of Trivandrum to have a metro rail system. And the future of pod-cars seems hazy as well. Read more...


JPods: Personal rapid transit vehicles powered by renewable solar energy

Right after the first concepts arrived of autonomous vehicles that could revolutionize public transportation, PRTs or Personal Rapid Transit systems have gained a lot of attention. Rightly so, as the technology promises cleaner transportation systems for busy metropolitan cities... Read more...

 

CM puts pod taxi project on fast track

Moving a step closer toward providing the high-tech pod taxi service to residents, the Haryana chief minister on Tuesday directed the officials to complete all the necessary formalities in the next three months and begin work on the project. Read more...

 

Hooda sets three-month deadline to start work on PRT project

Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda has issued directives that all formalities for start of work on Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) project in Gurgaon be completed within three months.
Presiding over a meeting on the PRT project in Gurgaon, the chief minister was given a detailed presentation on the proposed project by Ultra-Fairwood Holdings.
Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda has issued directives that all formalities for start of work on Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) project in Gurgaon be completed within three months.
Presiding over a meeting on the PRT project in Gurgaon, the chief minister was given a detailed presentation on the proposed project by Ultra-Fairwood Holdings. Read more...

 

Workshop on the Future of Road Vehicle Automation

TRB is sponsoring the Workshop on the Future of Road Vehicle Automation on July 25-27, 2012, in Irvine, California. The workshop will focus on the current state of the art in the area of road vehicle automation. Speakers from the PRT industry include Alain Kornhauser and Martin Lowson. Read more...

 

Video:The Vectus Personal Rapid Transit Takes You to Your Destination Comfortably

The Vectus Personal Rapid Transit system provides passengers a comfortable ride as they head to their intended destination. Long commutes or even short trips across the city can be strenuous as people become cramped on traditional public transit. Read more...


 

Note: More recent as well as archived news can be found here under the category Personal Rapid Transit News.

 

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