Personal Rapid Transit Live Applications Challenges

Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) is an energy-efficient, electric transit system with four to six-person vehicles. Working as circulator for job centers, airports, and universities, PRT has a higher average speed than a car. PRT makes carpooling, light rail, commuter rail, and bus more effective, by solving the "last mile problem." The three established PRT manufacturers are 2getthere, ULTra PRT, and Vectus. 2getthere's system at Masdar City (Abu Dhabi) features 1.1 miles of guideway, five stations, and 13 vehicles. ULTra PRT's system at London Heathrow Airport has 2.4 miles of guideway, three stations, and 21 vehicles. 2getthere and ULTra PRT began passenger operation in late 2010. Vectus is implementing a six-mile, 40 vehicle system at Suncheon Bay, South Korea. The vendors co-operated to provide joint experiences, with emphasis on planning, designing, constructing, operating, and maintaining the infrastructure and systems. The projects have different characteristics, but also share commonalities.