Why podcars could change how we travel

Imagine getting off a metro station anywhere in Dubai and not having to wait for a shuttle bus or taxi, but just getting into a waiting podcar to take you to your destination while you surf the internet or watch TV and videos.

This is not something out of a science fiction movie but a new concept of public transport called Personal Rapid Transit (PRT). It offers on-demand, non-stop transportation, using small, automated vehicles called podcars on a network of specially-built guideways.

PRT is slowly but surely being adopted by countries across the world. Masdar City, Capital City and Lulu Island in Abu Dhabi are implementing it. Heathrow Airport is doing a test pilot. Many US airports are also studying the possibilities.

Recently an MOU for the installation of a PRT in Suncheon City's world-famous Suncheon Coastal Wetlands Park was signed by the government of Korea.

Sweden, is also conducting a late-stage feasibility study on its first pioneer PRT system and China, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia are all considering it.

Emirates Business spoke to Vectus, which is the first PRT company in the world to have a fully operational test track with complete railway authority approval, located in Uppsala, Sweden, and which is speaking to authorities in Dubai in a bid to bring this concept to Dubai, to find out more about this concept.

Moon Joo Park, Chairman and CEO, Vectus PRT said: "In general, a PRT is the next step after the metro, monorail and light rail transit. It is safe, fast and comfortable. A podcar is private and can carry either one person or four or more passengers at a time, depending on the requirements."

There are two types of PRT systems, automotive-based and rail-based, he said. Both systems have their pros and cons, but experts believe that overall a rail-based PRT system is more effective, efficient, safe and commercially more viable.

"It travels on its own dedicated guiderail or track that is elevated from the ground and is thus free of accidents or obstructions; and it is fast because it doesn't stop at each station or signal or due to traffic," he said. "It travels at 40 kmph which is faster than a car's average speed during rush hour. Podcars are comfortable because they have internet, music, video and all kinds of creature comforts, while stations are more frequently available both outdoor and inside buildings (like the mezzanine floor of a big tower or shopping mall). Another advantage is that the vehicles are always waiting for you in your station off-track or at the previous station."

According to the company, the PRT can also help connect large adjoining areas of the emirate together. It would work to service areas between metro stations because a five-km loop can have as many as 15 stations. This means each major building in Business Bay, DIFC and on Sheikh Zayed Road can have its own station.

The PRT also has advantages over taxis and bus feeder services. Not only is it pollution-free as it runs on electricity, but also can run 24 hours a day, seven days a week as it is unmanned. This reduces operational and maintenance costs. In fact, in a traditional transportation system, manpower cost makes up almost 40 to 60 60 per cent of the total costs.

Finally, a PRT system can also transport freight. For example, the Bagtrax system provided by Vanderlande Industries is successfully installed at six airports which include major airports such as Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam and Terminal 5 at Heathrow Airport, London.

The Telebag System is operational in five airports including London's Luton Airport, which handles significant volumes of traffic.

The Autover System is used at a number of airports. At Dubai Airport, for example, 31 vehicles carry 1,200 pieces of luggage per hour from six origins to 24 destinations along 618 m track making nine loops with 16 junctions. "It is the wave of the future, freeing up road traffic (taking off taxis and buses in service roads off Sheikh Zayed or in Bur Dubai, freeing up a lot of space). The roads can then become smaller or be used for more greenery or built-up area. Master developers love PRT because it provides an effective and real transportation system," said Park.

However, like all new ideas and technologies the PRT has had to face its share of hurdles. Past projects have failed because of financing, cost overruns, regulatory conflicts, political issues, misapplied technology and flaws in design, engineering or review.

Park explained: "PRT may not have worked well in some parts in the past because of technical difficulties and different approach to the needs and requirements. Some companies have been fixated on an overly futuristic aesthetic ideal, designing space capsules first and then trying to plant them on the road or track.

"We have approached the issue from a practical point, examining all the needs and benefits of an effective, fast, safe, comfortable and convenient mass transportation system that is easy to build, maintain and operate. In short, the technology was available for a long time, but we are the first to have brought it all together in a rational and effective package."

Studies conducted on the feasibility of PRT have also given a favourable verdict.

From 2002–2005, the EDICT project (Evaluation and demonstration of innovative city transport), sponsored by the European Union, conducted a study on the feasibility of PRT in four European cities. The study involved 12 research organisations and concluded that PRT would provide future cities a highly accessible, user-responsive, environmental friendly transport system that offers a sustainable and economic solution.

It could cover its operating costs and provide a return that could pay for most, if not all, of its capital costs.

It would also provide a level of service which is superior to that available from conventional public transport and would be well received by the public, both public transport and car users. "We have made presentations to most of the government master developers of Dubai and various branches of the government including the RTA," said Park. "We hope to be invited for detailed studies shortly. Since actual design, construction and operation takes about two years, and it doesn't turn the city upside down during construction as the guiderail needs less than three metres of right-of-way, we could be in Dubai very shortly."

 

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