Monday, July 4, 2011

Podcars in England

Personal rapid transit (Wikipedia)

Also discussed here: Monorail plan back on track? (Milton Keys Citizen, Jun. 26, 2011)

Also here: Evaluation and Demonstration of Innovative City Transport Final Report (EDICT) (54 page pdf, European Commission - DG Research, Dec. 2004)

And here: Personal Rapid Transit Vehicles in Masdar City (Pollution Free Cities, Feb. 8, 2011)

Today’s story comes from Milton Keynes a small town of around 200,000 in southeast England which recently commissioned a report on the feasibility of monorail podcars or a personal rapid transit system, as part of a transportation strategy for the next 20 years. This comes following the introduction of operational systems in Masdar City, UAE in November 2010 and at Heathrow Airport to connect its terminal to the parking lot. What is interesting these developments is the concept of a car-free community whose transportation needs are met by small, emission-free robot cars. Similar systems are being planned in South Korea and India, according to the Wiki reference.



Key Quotes:

“A MONORAIL system running alongside city grid roads could revolutionise public transport in Milton Keynes”

“Car-orientated urban designs such as that of Milton Keynes, far from being exemplar, are viewed professionaly as environmentall irresponisble, economically extravagant, risky and socially diverse,”

“It is viable to build a small network that would connect CMK destinations to the railway station and key car parks for around £10 million,”

“A PRT system (by 2getthere) went into operation in Masdar City in the UAE in November 2010. The system has 10 passenger and 3 freight vehicles serving 2 passenger and 3 freight stations connected by 1.2 kilometers of one-way track”

“A pilot system at London Heathrow Airport, United Kingdom, was constructed using the ULTra design. Originally scheduled to be operational in 2009, it recently underwent 4 weeks of public trials where it achieved a 99.6% availability”

“the EDICT project, sponsored by the European Union, conducted a study on the feasibility of PRT in four European cities. The study involved 12 research organizations, and concluded that PRT:[6]
  • would provide future cities "a highly accessible, user-responsive, environmental friendly transport system which offers a sustainable and economic solution."
  • could "cover its operating costs, and provide a return which could pay for most, if not all, of its capital costs."
  • would provide "a level of service which is superior to that available from conventional public transport"
  • would be "well received by the public, both public transport and car users."
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