Critical Analysis and Feasibility of PRT for Gurgaon City

Without compromising the present traffic needs, a kind of transport system is required which helps in sustainable development in the present world scenario where fuel and environment have become areas of major concern for transportation. The modern transportation system must be sustainable, congestion free, accident free, fuel efficient and economical. PRT (Personal Rapid Transit) is the most recent development in public transportation and is best possible option which compiles to the above needs. PRT is a new innovative and on demand system for developed or urban transportation environments by using small, driverless, electric vehicles which run on guide ways. Its lightweight and flexible nature enables it to be retrofitted into a broad range of transportation environments. It is designed to be reliable and safety built in to ensure comfort and security of its passengers. This paper discusses how PRT is efficient in managing urban traffic and solving most of the modern traffic problems.

New High-Speed Rail System Proposed by August Scherl. Passenger Traffic Improvement Project

We reproduce an article first published in 1910 that describes in detail engineering projects, that were not only being developed but widely discussed. Those projects were dedicated to development of rapid, and particularly high-speed transportation in Berlin. The developments of that time reflected broad engineering views. It seems to be an attempt to integrate into a single project all the promising ideas regarding technical advancements as well as optimal transport modelling, routing schemes, traffic organisation, urban spatial planning. The discussion touched upon radial and ring traffic system, integration of the urban transportation system into national and even global one, splitting of passenger and freight traffic and infrastructure, and engineering decisions have reminded about contemporary monorail, elevated railways, light metro, and even personal rapid transit systems… The article attracted attention in Germany, as well as in other countries, and was reproduced in Zheleznodorozhnoe Delo [Railway Business] journal. Probably, many described aspects besides historical ones might be of interest today as well.

Analysis and Optimization of Driving Attitude and Oscillation Characteristics of Suspension-Type Small Rail Vehicles

Suspension-type small rail personal rapid transit systems are widely concerned due to their high efficiency and reliability. The increasing demands for ride comfort have put forward higher requirements for vehicle stationarity. In the study, with a single-bogie vehicle as the research object, a dynamic equation and a simulation model are firstly established to calculate the attitude angle and lateral velocity of the vehicle. Then, with the small amplitude and fast attenuation of the attitude angle and lateral velocity in a straight line and a bend as optimization objectives, the simulation model is optimized in terms of a series of variables, including the bogie with or without the supporting wheel, the supporting wheel tread, the driving wheel tread, the guide wheel tread, and the changes of the center of mass of the vehicle. Then, the problem of severe vehicle pitch with the double-bogie structure is solved. Finally, the simulation results and the optimization scheme are experimentally verified. The above optimization measures can significantly improve the driving stationarity of suspension-type small rail vehicles and enhance ride comfort.

An Empirical Analysis for Mode Choice in a Short-Distance Trip with Personal Rapid Transit

Recently, there have been emerging demands for new transportation modes, such as personal rapid transit (PRT), to improve the connectivity of first and last mile travel. Advancement of ICT and growing concerns over environmental issues reinforce such demands through which specific transportation modes can satisfy the need of each individual for short-distance trips. Although PRT has received particular attention for short-distance trips, it is true that recent approaches have been developed to analyze the behavior of travelers for mid- to long-distance trips that are not relevant for short-distance trips. This study proposed a suitable approach using logistic regression models that could assist the understanding of features which determine mode choice in a short-distance trip. The mode choice for PRT in short-distance trips in this study was based on the data from the survey. After considering various factors, it was apparent that the purpose of the trip together with weather conditions impacted significantly on travelers’ mode choices to PRT in short-distance trips. Additionally, it is expected that this study will play an important initial role in analyzing emerging transportation modes that can more easily respond to new demands for short-distance trips.