Personal Rapid Transit (PRT)
Model of the London Vehicle
“What we know about PRT Regionally, Statewide,
Nationally, & in the UK”
by Mukhtar “Mook-tar” Thakur
Director, Multi-Modal Innovation Office
at Mn/DOT - ACEC Annual Conference
March, 2010
In the Metro Region
• City of Bloomington has had discussions/ presentations
from three different PRT related groups.
• Maple Grove is said to have discussions about developing
the parcel near the Gravel Pit with a crossing over 694.
• Mn/DOT has heard of or seen printed sketches of
proposals for:
- Ford Plant Site – connections to Hiawatha Light Rail
Station
- Edina
- Richfield
(in combination)
- Bloomington
PRT = Personal Rapid Transit
at London Airport
Statewide
City of Winona is interested in pursuing a PRT demonstration
project:
- Winona has submitted for a Federal (PRT) grant
- A sketch shows crossing of TH 61
- The City Council is supportive
- Mn/DOT has issued letter of support for their Grant
Application
Nationally
City of San Jose, CA is exploring PRT at their airport.
- RFI issued October 2008 – 19 responses received; and
- RFP issued for ~$4M study – ongoing.
City of Santa Cruz, CA
- October 2008 issued an RFQ for a PRT System –
.
Alameda, CA - Developer Proposal
Peter Calthorpe of Calthorpe Associates
-
Nationally (New Jersey continued)
New Jersey State Had a Legislative Study Performed
February 2007 Report stated:
• PRT Systems are approaching but not yet ready for
deployment.
• Many of the technical components needed to support PRT
systems are commercially available and are used in other
industries.
• Global PRT interest and development programs are
expanding.
• A fully operational PRT system is needed to demonstrate
the theoretical benefits of PRT and establish commercial
readiness.
Nationally (New Jersey continued)
• A comprehensive technology research and demonstration
program is needed to develop a PRT system.
• Construction of PRT underway in two locations.
• Several other cities in the world seriously considering the
development of PRT systems.
• Many challenges that face PRT in terms of large scale
deployment such as:
- technological limitations
- a very small number of manufacturers worldwide
- proprietary system components that limit open
competition and sustainability
Nationally (New Jersey continued)
• Any application of PRT in the commonwealth would likely
require additional research, development and funding to
ensure that the system is sustainable long enough to
achieve a return on the investment.
Skyweb Express Vehicle
Nationally (continued)
Virginia Finds PRT Viable
Report to Virginia legislature, December 2008, noted:
- Construction of PRT underway in two locations
(London & Abu Dhabi);
- Several other cities seriously considering
development of PRT systems; and
- Appears that technology is evolving from concept
to reality.
Nationally (Virginia continued)
• Many challenges to implementation of large sale systems:
- Technological limitations;
- Small number of manufacturers worldwide;
- Proprietary System Components that limit competition &
sustainability;
- Any application in Virginia would likely require additional
research, development and funding; and
- Proposal was Portsmouth be considered as one
potential for a pilot program.
Nationally (continued)
Shoreline Biz Park/Google/Mountain View Downtown/NASA
• Research Pk PRT – first version June 2008
– last update September 2009
Ithaca, NY Study
• Awarded in 2009
- 12 stations, 7.7 miles of Guideway, Lawnet Cornell
University & Ithaca College,
In the UK
• PRT “demoline” start date is this Spring at London’s
Heathrow Airport.
- Connects two Park & Ride
locations to Terminal 5
approx. 1 mile away
- Costs stated to be approx.
$40M
- Start date has been delayed
at least twice, now stated
to be Spring, 2010
London’s Heathrow Airport
Terminal 5 Station
• Stations are like bus stops.
Destination selected by Smart Card
and touch screen. (Smart Card keeps
info on passengers for personalized
service.)
Stop at London Park and Ride
• For typical 1 mile journey approximately
3 minutes.
Stop at London Park and Ride
• Expected to be very reliable.
• Pods run either at ground level or elevated guideways supported by lightweight
steel structures.
In the UK (continued)
• In the UK these points were noted about PRT:
- Less disruption to ongoing operations at
Heathrow;
- Faster construction due to smaller scale;
- Scalability;
- Opportunity to extend to Airport Environment
and other terminals; and
- Low Emissions.
In the UK (continued)
• Obstructions on guideway will automatically stop the
pod and alert Central Control.
• Emission factor saving 3-4 times over cars or public
transport. Reduces carbon emissions now.
• Vandalism Resistant.
• It could run on solar power.
Guideway Leading to the PRT Stop at London
Mn/DOT Update on
Personal Rapid Transit (PRT)
- Request for Interest (RFI) published in State Register of
February 08, 2010,
download from: www.dot.state.mn.us/transit/
deadline for responding is May 4, 2010
- Hoping for at least 5 and as many as 10 responders
- Creation of a Personal Rapid Transit Alliance (PRTA) group
is one goal of the RFI
- Seeking to explore and gather interest about PRT is also a
goal of the RFI
- Next Steps are TBD
Mn/DOT Update on Personal RapidTransit (continued)
Thus far we have noted the following:
• Don’t view PRT as being in competition with line-haul bus or
LRT services.
• That PRT may be competitive with feeder/shuttle buses in
niche applications.
• Don’t see PRT being implemented as a “network” around the
city.
• That there are issues that need to be addressed when trying
to establish the feasibility of a PRT application, namely:
aesthetics, how it fits in the current land form and surrounding
land uses, ROW, and how it is going to be funded, among
others.
Concept Showing Skyweb Express
Vehicles Passing a Station
London Heathrow PRT
A Vectus Vehicle on the Test Track
in Uppsala, Sweden
London Heathrow Guideway
QUESTIONS?
MISTER Prototype on Display
in Opole, Poland
Model of the Masdar Vehicle
A JPOD Vehicle Option