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For decades, Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) has captured the imagination of transportation visionaries with its promise of on-demand, nonstop travel in small automated vehicles. However, the term "PRT" has some limitations that the broader concept of Automated Transit Networks (ATN) aims to address.
ATN serves as an umbrella term encompassing both PRT and Group Rapid Transit (GRT) systems like the pioneering Morgantown PRT. By using "ATN," we can highlight the key attributes that make this technology revolutionary:
- Automation: Driverless operation for increased efficiency and safety
- Network: A flexible guideway layout that enables point-to-point travel
While PRT purists envision exclusive personal travel, ATN opens up possibilities for optimized ridesharing. By encouraging higher vehicle occupancy, ATN could potentially:
- Halve operations and maintenance costs
- Lower fares and increase accessibility
- Reduce energy consumption
An ideal ATN system might offer tiered service levels:
- Premium: Nonstop private trips for individuals or small groups
- Economy: Shared rides with a few intermediate stops
The American Society of Civil Engineers has officially adopted Automated Transit Networks (ATN) in its Automated People Mover Standards, signaling growing acceptance of this more inclusive terminology.
As we look to the future of urban mobility, ATN represents a flexible framework for developing efficient, sustainable transit networks that can truly transform how we move through cities. By moving beyond the limitations of "PRT," we open up exciting new possibilities for automated transit.
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