ANALYSIS AND SIMULATION OF

A variety of stations for automated-vehicle systems are analyzed and compared. These cover a spectrum from on-line stations for systems that operate like CRT systems on the one hand, to GRT and High Capacity PRT stations on the other. Most of the analysis is directed toward off-line stations for multiparty vehicles. The geometric design of off-line ramps is discussed, and the operation of long headway (>30 sec) onand off-line stations is analyzed with the aid of time-space diagrams. Simulation results are given for GRT off-line stations with entrance and exit vehicle queues, and two stationsimulation computer programs are described. Passenger handling strategies for GRT stations are discussed including some of the inherent problems resulting from a multi stop, demand-activated network operating policy. Comparisons are made among station types in terms of time lost per stop, ease of passenger handling, off-line ramp length, and vehicle and passenger throughput. It is concluded that both the all-stop, scheduled system with on-line stations and the HCPRT system that provides non-stop, origin-to-destination, single-party service are promising alternatives. The GRT, demand-activated, multi-party, multi-stop type of operating policy seems to offer few operational advantages and many disadvantages compared to using similar automated vehicles in conventional, scheduled operation. ____________________________________________ * TRW, Inc., Denver, Colorado ** Regional Transportation District, Denver, Colorado