Automated Transit Networks (ATN): A Review of the State of the Industry and Prospects for the Future, MTI Report 12-31

The concept of Automated Transit Networks (ATN) - in which fully automated vehicles on exclusive, grade-separated guideways provide on-demand, primarily non-stop, origin-to-destination service over an area network – has been around since the 1950s. However, only a few systems are in current operation around the world. ATN does not appear “on the radar” of urban planners, transit professionals, or policy makers when it comes to designing solutions for current transit problems in urban areas. This study explains ATN technology, setting it in the larger context of Automated Guideway Transit (AGT); looks at the current status of ATN suppliers, the status of the ATN industry, and the prospects of a U.S.-based ATN industry; summarizes and organizes proceedings from the seven Podcar City conferences that have been held since 2006; documents the U.S./Sweden Memorandum of Understanding on Sustainable Transport; discusses how ATN could expand the coverage of existing transit systems; explains the opportunities and challenges in planning and funding ATN systems and approaches for procuring ATN systems; and concludes with a summary of the existing challenges and opportunities for ATN technology. The study is intended to be an informative tool for planners, urban designers, and those involved in public policy, especially for urban transit, to provide a reference for history and background on ATN, and to use for policy development and research

Design of a Simplified Test Track for Automated Transit Network Development

A scaled test platform has been developed for the purpose of testing, validating, and demonstrating key concepts of Automated Transit Networks (ATN). The test platform is relatively low cost, easily expandable, and it will allow future research and development to be done on control systems for ATN. The test platform and reference vehicle were designed to adhere to a requirements document that was constructed to specify the necessary features of a fully functioning design. The work described in this thesis adheres to the phase one implementation of the requirements document. The vehicle and track were designed using commercially available computer aided design software. The prototype track was then assembled, and the vehicles were manufactured using a finite deposition three-dimensional printer. A control system was designed to control the velocity and position of the vehicle. This was accomplished using the feedback of a linear encoder that was designed and laid along the length of the track. The vehicle functioned successfully according to the design requirements document. Testing showed that the vehicle is able to move to a specified position at a predetermined speed. Additionally, testing showed that a vehicle can maintain a specified following distance behind another vehicle within twenty millimeters. The vehicle and track can be used in the future to evaluate and validate specific questions regarding the implementation of an ATN system

Dynamic Model for Assignment in " Sky-car " Transit System – Spatial Interactions with other Common Transport Modes

International audienceThis chapter provides Lagrangian dynamic fluid model of the traffic of personal rapid maglev transporters or personal rapid transit (PRT). The transport system using these maglev transporters-named sky-cars or sky-podcars-operate in the style of demand-responsive system. The dynamical evolution of sky-podcar travelers' demand is modelled and the problem of relocation of podcars is addressed. In a multimodal transport mobility, we describe assignment in such transit system, and its spatial interactions with other common transportation systems

El uso del análisis conjunto en el diseño de nuevos sistemas de transporte

La toma en consideración de la opinión ciudadana en el diseño de nuevos proyectos urbanos parece un derecho incontestable; sin embargo, salvo las técnicas basadas en encuestas, existen muy pocos instrumentos cuantitativos que permitan poner en práctica dicho derecho. En este artículo utilizamos el análisis conjunto, una técnica basada en experimentos de elección, para incluir las preferencias de los futuros usuarios en el diseño de un posible sistema de transporte "autotrén" en el Distrito Cultural de la Universidad de Guadalajara. La utilización de dicha técnica resulta muy conveniente ya que el sistema de transporte evaluado se basa en un group rapid transit, que resulta novedoso en el contexto nacional, y que conviene evaluar delante de las preferencias y percepciones de sus potenciales usuarios, para poderlo diseñar de tal forma que resulte más adecuado a la ciudadanía. Los resultados, basados en una muestra preliminar, sugieren una visión diferente sobre los atributos que aportan más valor al proyecto de aquella basada en la opinión de los expertos. Así, los aspectos funcionales (p.e. trazado de la red, forma de llamado de los vehículos), resultaron más relevantes para los usuarios que no los relacionados con el nivel de seguridad, la privacidad, los aspectos medioambientales o el propio diseño urbano de las estaciones

El uso del análisis conjunto en el diseño de nuevos sistemas de transporte: el caso del auto tren del Distrito Cultural Universitario en Guadalajara

La toma en consideración de la opinión ciudadana en el diseño de nuevos proyectos urbanos parece un derecho incontestable; sin embargo, salvo las técnicas basadas en encuestas, existen muy pocos instrumentos cuantitativos que permitan poner en práctica dicho derecho. En este artículo utilizamos el análisis conjunto, una técnica basada en experimentos de elección, para incluir las preferencias de los futuros usuarios en el diseño de un posible sistema de transportePeer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Dynamics and Control of A Suspended ATN Vehicle

In order to enhance the research into Automation Transit Network (ATN) systems performed by the Spartan Superway team, a simulation environment and controller is developed for a suspended ATN vehicle. The equations of motion are derived for a suspended ATN vehicle constrained to move on a circular guideway (referred to as the Planar System) and for an ATN vehicle constrained to move on a guideway of arbitrary geometry (referred to as the General System). Additionally, a controller using feedback linearization is designed that tracks the position of the ATN for a conditioned displacement profile and minimizes the lateral acceleration experienced by the passenger. A literature review is first performed that covers the background of ATN systems and other important concepts important to vehicle control. The equations of motion for both the Planar System and General System are derived by the use of hand calculations and the MotionGenesis application. MotionGenesis is also used for the geometric calculations to allow for the interpolation of the arbitrary geometry guideway, the formation of the displacement profile, and the formation of the wind profile. SIMULINK is used to form the simulation environment built from the theoretical work and run validation simulations. Using a circular guideway with a radius of 100 meters, it is found that there is negligible deviation between simulations of the Planar System and simulations of the General System. A controller is successfully implemented on the Planar System using feedback linearization with dynamics derived from both the Planar System and General System. Finally, there is a proof-of-concept test of the dynamics of an ATN vehicle on an Euler spiral guideway

El uso del análisis conjunto en el diseño de nuevos sistemas de transporte: el caso del auto tren del Distrito Cultural Universitario en Guadalajara

Resumen: La toma en consideración de la opinión ciudadana en el diseño de nuevos proyectos urbanos parece un derecho incontestable; sin embargo, salvo las técnicas basadas en encuestas, existen muy pocos instrumentos cuantitativos que permitan poner en práctica dicho derecho. En este artículo utilizamos el análisis conjunto, una técnica basada en experimentos de elección, para incluir las preferencias de los futuros usuarios en el diseño de un posible sistema de transporte "autotrén" en el Distrito Cultural de la Universidad de Guadalajara. La utilización de dicha técnica resulta muy conveniente ya que el sistema de transporte evaluado se basa en un group rapid transit, que resulta novedoso en el contexto nacional, y que conviene evaluar delante de las preferencias y percepciones de sus potenciales usuarios, para poderlo diseñar de tal forma que resulte más adecuado a la ciudadanía. Los resultados, basados en una muestra preliminar, sugieren una visión diferente sobre los atributos que aportan más valor al proyecto de aquella basada en la opinión de los expertos. Así, los aspectos funcionales (p.e. trazado de la red, forma de llamado de los vehículos), resultaron más relevantes para los usuarios que no los relacionados con el nivel de seguridad, la privacidad, los aspectos medioambientales o el propio diseño urbano de las estaciones.Abstract: The consideration of citizen opinion on the design of new urban projects seems incontestable right , but unless techniques based on surveys , there are few quantitative instruments to implement this right. In this article we use the pooled analysis, a technique based on choice experiments to include the preferences of future users in the design of a possible transport system " lorry convoy " in the Cultural District , University of Guadalajara. The use of this technique is very convenient since the transportation system is evaluated based on a group rapid transit , which is new in the national context , and should be evaluated before the preferences and perceptions of potential users , to be able to design a way that is most appropriate to citizenship.The results, based on a preliminary sample , suggest a different view on the attributes that bring more value to the project from that based on expert opinion. Thus, the functional aspects (eg, network layout , shaped vehicle called ) , were more relevant for users who are not related to the level of security, privacy , environmental issues and urban design of the stations own

Contribution of the Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) systems to the road safety: A scenario-based comparative evaluation

17th International Conference of Hong Kong Society for Transportation Studies: Transportation and Logistics Management, HKSTS 2012; Kowloon; Hong Kong; 15 December 2012 through 17 December 2012Though the number of "real ground" PRT projects are few, it can be possible to deduce some hypothetical safety conclusions. For the very optimist assumption that the control algorithms will only "allow" them to operate in non-collision mode on the network, the safety figures are re-evaluated for two urban settings: First (1) is the case where the urban design was fully recreated based on PRT system. The other (2) is the hypothetical PRT system would be embedded into the existing transportation system. The two cases of the safety measures and cost figures are compared to evaluate the opportunities and pitfalls by the application of a PRT system via the scenario analysis. By doing so, after description of the present situation, there comes the construction of possible alternative futures to compare with the present one. It can be deduced that, even if the safety figures of PRT system are hypothetical, PRT-based urban environments promise a lot in terms of safety levels (as far as 80 per cent) with, however, the expense of financial burden for the local government. Yet, for low-cost solution, PRT-embedded urban environments also provide promising results compared to "doing nothing" as far as 30 per cent reductions, in accidents in total and 44 per cent in deaths