Initial Safety Considerations for an Advanced Transport System

This paper provides an introduction to some of the safety issues that need to be considered when designing a Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) system. Realistic but ambitious target accident rates for PRT are set through a comparative examination of other transport modes. The rate set meets or exceeds accident rates achieved on other forms of surface transport, and is better than those of the car by a factor of more than ten. Evidence from existing systems suggests that this is not unreasonable. Issues associated with the design and safe operation of PRT are discussed in general terms, as a preliminary to undertaking a full safety case. Introduction of such a system offers the potential for major savings over current casualties due to road transport both for passengers and other road users.