THE NEXT GENERATION OF URBAN MASS TRANSIT

The four key attributes of public transportation are: 

1. Many interconnected stations 
2. High average speed 
3. Good capacity 
4. Low cost per passenger mile 

Achieving an above-average rating for all four key attributes is considered the holy grail of public transportation. 

With conventional transit modes, these attributes tend to interfere with each other. For example:

• Having many stations precludes high average speed
• Good capacity requires large vehicles that in turn require heavy and expensive infrastructure
• Scheduled service vehicles often run well below capacity with high operating costs

Automated transit networks (ATN) overcome these, and other limitations, and simultaneously achieve above-average ratings for all four key attributes.

Comparison of Different Transit Modes

What makes ATN work so well?

Being driverless allows the vehicles to be much smaller (typically four to eight seats) and able to accommodate wheelchairs, luggage, and bicycles. Operating on dedicated guideways enables safe travel with relatively simple computer controls. Lightweight vehicles require relatively small, unobtrusive, and inexpensive guideways. Onboard switching (no moving guideway parts) enables short headways (time between vehicles) which in turn enable high capacity. Offline stations (on sidings) facilitate nonstop or express trips. Adding stations does not slow through-traffic down.

In these ways ATN can achieve the holy grail of transit - many interconnected stations, high average speed, good capacity, and low cost per passenger mile. 

Firm to begin P16-B ‘podcar’ transport study

ILOILO City – The feasibility study on the proposed suspended transport system in the metropolis is expected to commence very soon.

The city government and Futran Philippines, Inc. have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the conduct of a feasibility study for the P16-billion project dubbed as “Green People Mover” last Jan. 30.

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