Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) - an innovative passenger transport system.

Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) - an innovative passenger transport system.

Abstract

In the present world, we know that fuel and environment have become areas of major concern, especially in the field of transportation, a kind of transport system is required which helps in sustainable development without compromising the present traffic needs. The new transportation system should ideally be pollution free, traffic free, accident free, fuel efficient and economical. PRT (Personal Rapid Transit) is the most recent development in public transportation and is best possible option which compiles to the above needs. PRT is a new innovative and on demand system for developed urban area. The system uses small, driver-less, electric vehicles which run on guide ways. Its lightweight and flexible nature enables it to be retrofitted into a broad range of environments. It is designed to be reliable and safety built in to ensure comfort and security of its passengers. 

Introduction

Personal rapid transit (PRT) is a new and innovative on-demand system developed for urban area. It is designed to meet the need for congestion free, multi-origin, multi-destination public transport system. PRT is the most energy efficient mass urban transport system that has been devised so far. It consists of small light weight 2-6 passengers vehicle built on an elevated guide way under computer control. The vehicles are electric but have no batteries as they take power from electric contacts in the track. PRT vehicles are sized for individual or small group travel. Guide ways are arranged in a network topology, with all stations located on sidings, and with frequent merge/diverge points. This allows for nonstop, point-to-point travel, bypassing all intermediate stations. The point-to-point service has been compared to a taxi or a horizontal lift.

History

PRT was originally an engineering research project to devise the optimum urban transport solution; Ultra began development in 1995 in association with the University of Bristol. Ultra was the company who first undertook the PRT initiative. The company was founded by Martin Lowson a rocket scientist. He was accompanied by 50 staff of Apollo space program Saturn rocket, chief scientist of West-land helicopters. Royal Academy of Engineering, Royal Aeronautical Society, and American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics were also the fellow members. They started this project in the year 1995 and finally won a contract to build a pod system at London’s Heathrow airport in the year 2005.

Construction & Working :-

1. Track.

     The pods run on light, flexible and aesthetic track. Track are constructed at a height from the ground, so as to ensure safety, stability and congestion free operation of PRT as well as the road traffic. The piers of the track are not built very heavily as the track has to carry light pods with only few passengers inside them. The pavement surface is made in an intelligent way. Portion where wheels of pod car are to run are provided with a smooth surface. And rest of the area is made of either steel mesh with round wholes or parallel running horizontal steel bars. The width of pavement is decided according to the width of pod car. A channel of power cable has to be laid in the pavement which will provide energy (electric current) to the pod cars. As the pavements are light weight and flexible, they can be easily routed as per the requirement. Also at turning points, a slight angle will do the work. 

2. Pod.

   These are light weight cabs made to carry 3-6 people at a time. It is sufficiently large to carry its passenger capacity along with space for extra materials like wheelchair, bicycle, shopping carts, push carts etc.These do not have a heavy engine to drive or any other heavy mechanical parts. These are run by electric driven motors installed in each individual pod. The motors receive power from the cables laid in the track.The pods provide a comfortable sitting to passengers. It also ensures their safety and comfort. Pods can be made air-conditioned according to the climatic conditions. The wheels are made of solid rubber to ensure least maintenance .They are small in size and run on particular exact path.

3. Monitoring System.

    The monitoring system that operates PRT is one of best available monitoring system in today’s world. This centralized system is responsible for smooth, fast, proper, safe and efficient functioning of PRT. The system is uncomplicated and intuitive; a touch screen panel enables them to choose their destination while an automated voice-over talks them though the process. Once on board they can relax as the vehicle takes them straight to their destination. The use of off-the-shelf technology, mostly from the automotive industry, provides a mature, well proven and reliable system. The system monitors movement of pod cars. It keeps on analyzing the locations of every pod and also the demand of pods at every different station. When there is an increased demand at a particular station, the system diverts pods from low demanding areas. The stations are made off the track to ensure continuous movement of pods. An important part of work of the system is to check running status of every pod and prevent their collisions at junctions of cross-ways and of stations.

Station accessibility

Stations may be located above, at, or below ground, or, due to the system’s virtually silent nature, inside buildings. Stations can be enclosed or open-air, will always provide at least a minimal covering above the berth area and are designed to be suitable for 24-hour operations.

Comfort & convenience:-
pods provide comfortable seating for 4 adults, with ample space for shopping, pushchairs and luggage. The vehicles can be fitted with heating or air conditioning to suit various climates. Typically around 90% of Ultra pod passengers are served within one minute thanks to the system’s on-demand service that minimize passenger waiting time. The system travels at speeds of up to 25 mph and a typical 1.6 km journey usually takes around four minutes. Once the customer’s journey has begun, they can sit back and relax as their pod takes them non-stop to their chosen destination via the quickest route.

Personal safety & security:-

The Ultra pod system provides added personal security for customers via the following means,

1. The vehicle is continuously monitored by the control system during use; passengers may contact the system controller, who can see them via on-board CCTV and respond to any concerns.

2. All passengers felt very secure with the driver-less Ultra system. Vehicles, stations, and track make use of CCTV, information screens, and emergency call buttons to ensure the users feel safe, secure and at-ease. Passengers can be in audio and visual contact with the control center, for enhanced passenger security.

Advantages:- 

The innovative design of the PRT system provides many operational, economic, and environmental benefits, including:

1. It has Low capital and operational costs.

2. It has Flexible routing.

3. It is for 24-hour.

4. pollution free.

5. Greater privacy.

6. Zero on-site emissions.

7. Extremely low overall energy use.

8. Minimal visual and acoustic impacts.