NEXT STEPS IN URBAN TRANSIT

The need for understanding Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) is noted, the associated environmental and financial problems are reviewed, and the use of data processing to improve both management and control fleet operations are discussed. The use of automatic train operation and program machines at intersections, the command subsystem and the safety subsystem of the Victoria subway line in London are described. The storage of an entire weeks time table on plastic6 tape, and human communication is also 0 described. Transit planners now contemplate demand-responsive systems for urban trips of under 15 miles. The Group Rapid Transit (GRT) in which driverless vehicles run apart from regular street traffic on guideways are reviewed, and comments are made on the relatively simple Airtrans at Dallas-Fort Worth Airport and the sophisticated system in Morgantown. Details are given of the asynchronous (vehicle follower) or synchronous (spot follower) command and control used by both the PRT and GRT. The technical prospects of advanced transit technology are discussed and the observation is made that although such prospects are high, political prospects are low.

• Corporate Authors:

  Technical Publishing Corporation

  1301 South Grove Avenue
  Barrington, IL  United States  60010
• Authors:
  • Carroll, H
• Publication Date: 1976-2

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Photos;
• Pagination: p. 86-94
• Serial:
  • Datamation
  • Volume: 22
  • Issue Number: 2
  • Publisher: Technical Publishing Corporation

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Automated vehicle control; Demand responsive transportation; Information processing; Personal rapid transit; Public transit; Rapid transit; Urban transportation
• Uncontrolled Terms: Guided vehicles
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00149507
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Mar 30 1981 12:00AM