270 likes | 386 Vues
Explore cutting-edge technologies in small people movers, showcased during the Advanced Transit Association Seminar at West Virginia University. Key highlights include the integration of electronics in vehicles, which replace mechanical parts, and innovative steering systems that allow these vehicles to navigate like cars. With examples such as the ParkShuttle and ULTra Personal Rapid Transit vehicles, this seminar covered operational principles, guideway systems, and the benefits of improved mobility for students and staff, as well as enhanced traffic flow and reduced parking needs.
E N D
New Technology Feeder Systems Advanced Transit Association Seminar May 4-5, 2007 West Virginia University Morgantown, WV Robert Johnson R. E. Johnson ConsultingRockville, Marylandwww.autoroadvehicles.com
New Technology for Small People Movers • Electronics replace mechanical parts • Lateral control: steers like a car • On-board power supply, usually batteries • Guideway is just exclusive, light duty road • Often called Automated Road Vehicles • New technology may not always be best (wide guideway, snow removal issues) www.autoroadvehicles.com
Examples of New Technology Vehicles • ParkShuttle Minibus • ULTra Personal Rapid Transit • CyberCab PRT/Microbus www.autoroadvehicles.com
ParkShuttle Minibus • Has carried the public on one-mile route near Rotterdam • 20-25 passengers • 20 mph (32 kph) • lead-acid batteries, recharges in off-peak www.autoroadvehicles.com
ULTra Personal Rapid Transit Vehicle • Scheduled to begin service at Heathrow airport, London in 2008 • Four passengers • 25 mph (40 kph) • Battery powered www.autoroadvehicles.com
CyberCab PRT/Microbus • Designed by same company that developed the ParkShuttle • 6 passengers • 25 mph (32 kph) www.autoroadvehicles.com
Proposed Interior Showing Two Fold-Down Seats www.autoroadvehicles.com
At-Grade Exclusive Roadway www.autoroadvehicles.com
ULTra One-Way Elevated Guideway www.autoroadvehicles.com
Tunnel Under Cross Street www.autoroadvehicles.com
Principles of Operation • Shared service, not private • Minimum headway: 5-10 seconds • Maximum grade: 10 % • Low interior headroom means all seated, but acceleration and jerk limits set for standees • Wheelchairs not secured • Can’t be sure all passengers are seated www.autoroadvehicles.com
Two-Way Guideways • Other lane is emergency walkway • Two-way is not twice as expensive • Direct routes reduce vehicle miles • Easier to put two-way guideway at grade; must have grade separation to allow access to area within a one-way loop www.autoroadvehicles.com
End-of-Line Station Vehicles back out of berths into turn-around area www.autoroadvehicles.com
Guideway Routing • Place guideways at grade whenever possible • Stations at grade eliminate elevator costs • Run guideways behind buildings, not in front • If possible, guideways should cross streets, not run along them www.autoroadvehicles.com
Layout of Feeder Systems for the Morgantown PRT • All are a single two-way line, no branches • Most have stations at end points only • One system also has a center platform station along the line www.autoroadvehicles.com
Four possible feeder systems for the Morgantown PRT www.autoroadvehicles.com
Research Park Extension www.autoroadvehicles.com
Sunnyside Line - Detail www.autoroadvehicles.com
Operating Parameters * Based on maximum speed of 25 mph (40 kph) www.autoroadvehicles.com
Approximate Unit Capital Costs • Two-way elevated guideway: $10M / mile, not strongly dependent on vehicle weight • Two-way at-grade: $1.5M - 3M / mile + land • 6-passenger vehicles: $150K - 200K • 20-passenger vehicles: $500K • Central control: $200K ? per system, but some savings if multiple systems www.autoroadvehicles.com
Additional Data Needed for System Costs • Unit capital costs for stations • Site specific construction costs • Unit operating costs for vehicles • Other O & M costs • Operating policy, for example maximum wait time in the off peak • Patronage www.autoroadvehicles.com
Benefits • Student / Faculty / Staff mobility • Removing cars from streets improves traffic flow for alldrivers • Reduced need for expensive parking structures • Increased value of land near stations www.autoroadvehicles.com
For more information on Automated Road Vehiclesplease see:www.autoroadvehicles.com