PRT Consulting, Inc.
Efficient Transit Solutions                                                        December 2014
 
  

Peter Muller

One of the interesting projects we worked on in 2014 was the report

Automated Transit Networks (ATN): A Review of the State of the Industry and Prospects for the Future. I am pleased to let you know that this report is proving very popular and was downloaded 57,912 times in less than two months!

 

I recently met with Christer Lindstrom who gave me a glowing report on developments in Sweden and Arlanda Airport in particular. The Kompass organization he founded is also doing well - learn more at www.sparbilar.se (right click and select "translate"). Christer is also bullish about Podcar City 9 to be held in San Jos�, November 4 to 6, 2015 - he anticipates over 300 attendees.

 

I am off to the DC area in early January for ATRA's Technix Conference and Board Meeting followed by TRB. I hope to see some of you there.

 

Best wishes for the New Year!


 

Peter J. Muller, P.E. 

President 

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December 2014 News Updates 

 

Ingmar Andreasson Podcar City 8
Watch the video of Ingmar Andreason's talk:  From personal to mass transit,  Here..



Podcar City 8 Opportunities and challenges with Podcars in Sweden
Watch video of this panel discussion Here...

NEW PARADIGMS OF MOBIILTY
Driverless cars are changing everything about urban mobility. Uber has raised billions of dollars to work with. The former head of world transit recently observed that cities being "invaded" by new mobility entrepreneurs.  Read More..

Affordable transit will help close gap between rich, poor in South Bay
It appears that the $4-billion price tag of burrowing a tunnel under San Jose for BART is too high. So, the powers that be want to eliminate two stations from the BART burrow in an effort to reduce costs. Another option is being offered by BART Director Zachary Mallett and supported by the Post editorial of Dec. 12. He proposes a less expensive run westward from the Milpitas BART station to the airport, and then to the train station.  Read More...

Report: Elon Musk's 'hyperloop' idea could work
LOS ANGELES -- Enthusiasts behind Elon Musk's "hyperloop" proposal -- an intercity tube that speeds passengers riding in capsules at 600 miles per hour -- have taken the next step, producing a report outlining some of the big issues around the project.  Read More...

 

The Transportation Research Board (TRB) 94th Annual Meeting  will be held in Washington, D.C. at its new venue, the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. The information-packed program is expected to attract 12,000 transportation professionals from around the world to Washington, D.C., January 11-15, 2015.  The TRB Annual Meeting program covers all transportation modes, with more than 5,000 presentations in nearly 750 sessions and workshops addressing topics of interest to all attendees-policy makers, administrators, practitioners, researchers, and representatives of government, industry, and academic institutions. Read More...

 

The ATRA Award for Outstanding Contribution to Advanced Transit

We are now accepting nominations for the ATRA Award for Outstanding Contribution to Advanced Transit. The award acknowledges individual contributions towards awareness, development, planning, operation or acceptance of Advanced Transit.  The award is in recognition of the outstanding contribution made by an individual and the influence he or she has had on Advanced Transit. It includes a prize of $500 and will be presented at the bi-annual ASCE Automated People Mover conference.  Read More...


Sustainable Solar-Pedal Transit by Shweeb SkySMART
A game-changing 3D personal rapid transit solution using human pedal power & solar/electric assist.  Read More...

Arlington Cancels Streetcar Program
The Arlington County Board today voted to cancel the streetcar program that would have built a modern streetcar system along the Columbia Pike and Crystal City/Potomac Yard corridors. Read More...

These Pedal-Powered Pod Cars Travel Above City Streets, So You Can Avoid Traffic

They've already been installed in an amusement park. Next up: Google's main campus. Why drive to work when you can arrive in your own pedal-powered pod car, far above traffic?  Read More...


Letter: Reno needs 'personal rapid transit'

Regarding Dec. 1 RGJ story that RTC is facing a huge transit deficit:

"Personal Rapid Transit" has been the most energy-efficient urban mass transit system ever devised. PRT consists of small electric two- to six-passenger vehicles running on elevated guideways under computer control. Read More...


THE AIR IS NOT FREE
The USDOT spent half a billion dollars in the 1970s (so about $1B in today's terms) to demonstrate automated, elevated transit, supposedly to revive and sustain declining CBDs (downtown business districts).  None has been built since.  Read More...

Alternate Transport Home - Futuristic Transport Solution - Ready Today!
Imagine traveling in air-conditioned comfort at speeds of up to 500 kph/300 mph

That would mean that you could travel the 225 miles from Washington DC to New York in under 1 hour.  Read More...


EAST COAST RISING
For the last several years, Silicon Valley was the main source of American news about podcars. This interest in next-gen mobility is shifting east in at least seven places.  Read More...

Different approaches to jobs, transportation, education
Democratic state Rep. Derek Stanford was coasting toward re-election to another two-year term. He had no opponent. Then Republican challenger Mark Davies lodged a write-in campaign in the August primary election.  Read More...

Large Hsinchu G / P RT system into the convenient transportation, green and wisdom of a new era 

Hsinchu City Government held briefings today: "big Hsinchu G / P RT System",  hoping to convey the power of the media, let people know more about the content of this Hsinchu constructed plan, the direction and objectives.  Translated from Korean.  Read More...

Transit projects provide glimpse of automated future
After years of research, tinkering and talk about automated transit in Greenville, there could soon be some real tracks. Mike Lester, CEO at Taxi 2000, a Minnesota company with an elevated automated-transit system prototype, said he has studied developing it in Greenville and has put a "private financing package together" to build it. County Councilman Fred Payne said a paved lane for driverless cars could become part of a new southern leg of the Swamp Rabbit Trail by spring. Read More...

ATRA Technix 2015
University of Maryland Center for Advanced Transportation Technology (CATT) is proud to once again host the ATRA Technix workshop. A full day of stimulating speakers and panel discussion on the whole spectrum of advanced transit in planned. Read More...

World's First Vertically Movable Mini-tram Developed in Korea
SEOUL, Nov.28 (Korea Bizwire) - An unmanned mini-tram that can move up and down by an elevator has been developed in Korea for the first time in the world. This can be usefully deployed in places where short intervals between trains are required and there are multiple destinations for passengers, such as large shopping malls, transit transfer centers and airports. Read More..
 

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