PRT Consulting, Inc.
1340 Deerpath Trail, Suite 200
Franktown, CO 80116, USA
1-303-532-1855

Efficient Transit Solutions
Personal Rapid Transit Project

Selected Projects

Personal Rapid Transit & Transportation Projects

The selected projects, described below, all relate directly or indirectly, to Personal Rapid Transit (PRT).

Greenville - Spartanburg International Airport ATN Procurement Phase I

Client: Greenville- Spartanburg Airport District
Contact: David Edwards Jr A.A.E., President, CEO
Email: DEdwards@gspairport.com
(864) 848-6260
Project: Supplier procurement solicitation documents were prepared including two different ATN layouts, system requirements and specifications and bid proposals. Proposals were evaluated and site visits undertaken to the two preferred suppliers. A refined ATN/shuttle bus comparison was prepared based on ATN bid prices and estimated shuttle bus costs.
Role: Subconsultant to WK Dickson responsible for ATN and shuttle bus technology issues.
Completed: Ongoing

Resort Area PRT Feasibility Study

Client: Park City
Contact: Matt Cassel, City Engineer
Email: Matt.Cassel@ParkCity.org
(864) 848-6260
Project: Civil engineering students at the University of Utah were tasked with studying the feasibility of a PRT solution in the Park City/Summit County resort area. Automobile traffic is rapidly increasing resulting in unacceptable congestion issues. A solution that does not require road widening is being sought. PRT Consulting was engaged to help teach the students about PRT and guide their work. At the completion of the student work, PRT consulting adapted their results to provide a corrected conceptual analysis of PRT feasibility.
Role: Prime consultant assisted in 3D modeling by 4Dialog
Completed: 2016

Corporate Campus to Commuter Rail Connection

Client: Confidential
Project: The client had a team of consultants investigate different options for utilizing an abandoned rail corridor to connect the corporate campus to a commuter rail station - a distance of approximately five miles. Modes considered included commuter rail, light rail, bus rapid transit, ATN and aerial ropeway. The study was complicated by the need to preserve right-of-way for a pedestrian/bike facility as well as for the potential reinstatement of rail service.
Role: Prime consultant for ATN and ropeway with assistance from Engineering Services Group.
Completed: 2015

Greenville - Spartanburg International Airport

Client: Greenville- Spartanburg Airport District
Contact: David Edwards Jr A.A.E., President, CEO
Email: DEdwards@gspairport.com
(864) 848-6260
Project: This preliminary personal rapid transit feasibility study involves comparing the feasibility of a PRT solution to a shuttle bus solution for serving remote surface parking facilities. The work involved developing comparative routes and operations for both systems. Life cycle costs (including supplier input) were compared and found to be similar. Passenger service levels were found to be significantly improved with PRT. Opportunities for funding/financing the system were investigated including an evaluation of rates and charges at comparative airports. Recommendations were made for how to proceed with PRT system implementation.
Role: Prime consultant. Louis Berger Group is a subconsultant
Completed: 2015

Corporate Campus ATN Evaluation

Client: Confidential
Project: This project involves investigating automated transit network (ATN - personal and/or group rapid transit) solutions for a large corporate campus needing to expand, yet already suffering from traffic congestion. The project has included investigating layout and phasing considerations, headway reduction with advanced control systems, SWOT analysis, guideway structural and cost evaluations, mode preference, enhanced ridesharing strategies and a hierarchical mode evaluation.
Ground-breaking work undertaken on this project included maximizing the capacity of ATN systems while constrained by the capabilities of existing technology complying with existing standards. Nine different capacity-enhancing techniques were evaluated and modeled. A combination of the most promising techniques resulted in the 29-station network depicted below being able to accommodate 13,000 passengers per hour with six-passenger vehicles at three-second headways.
Role: Prime consultant. BergerABAM was a subconsultant
Completed: ongoing

Personal Rapid Transit Evaluation

Client: Greenville County Economic Development Corporation
Contact: G. Fred Payne, Chairman
gfp2kmp@yahoo.com
(864) 884-8899
Project: A previous multimodal transit corridor alternatives feasibility study had found bus rapid transit (BRT) to be the preferred solution for the corridor in question. Since PRT systems subsequently came into public service, it was decided to update the study to compare a PRT solution to the BRT solution. The total costs for PRT were found to be similar to those for BRT. However, the shorter walking distances and wait times involved with the PRT solution were found to attract three to four times as many riders.
Role: Prime consultant.
Completed: 2014

Automated Transit Networks (ATN)

A Review of the State of the Industry and Prospects for the Future

Client: Mineta Transportation Institute
Project: 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 Cooperation 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.
Role: Co-Author
Completed: 2014

Corporate Campus to Commuter Rail Connection

Client: Confidential
Project: This project involved an investigation into the ability of four different modes of transportation (three automated) to adequately connect a rapidly-growing corporate campus to a commuter rail service. The primary focus was the ability of each mode to deal with a surge of passengers arriving at one time. Some modes were unable to meet the demand and were re-evaluated in a situation where two stations were connected to the campus instead of just one.
The modes evaluated were personal rapid transit (PRT), group rapid transit (GRT), automated bus, and articulated commuter bus. The first three modes use relatively small vehicles, are fully automated and operate on exclusive guideways. The commuter bus operates on city streets. Automated people movers and 35-passenger buses were briefly examined but quickly eliminated from detailed consideration.
Role: Prime consultant.
Completed: 2013

ATN Technology Assessment

Client: Rapidly Growing Chinese Community
Project: T.Y. Lin was charged with assessing light rail, bus rapid transit and automated transit networks (ATN - personal and/or group rapid transit) for a 16 km corridor in China. The anticipated demand was for 10,000 passengers per hour per direction. The assessment considered ATN characteristics, demand/capacity, preliminary alignments, level of service, economic impacts/advantages, flexibility for expansion, interconnectivity, estimated costs, new energy and materials as well as environmental and construction impacts.
Role: Subconsultant to T.Y. Lin International Engineering Consulting (China) Co. Ltd. responsible for all PRT/GRT aspects
Completed: 2012

PRT/GRT Alternative to Pedestrian Bridge

Client: Otay-TJ Venture, LLC
Project: The client was investigating the feasibility of a 600' long, fully-enclosed, pedestrian bridge, including moving sidewalks, crossing a highway and connecting two large buildings. The bridge would tie into the first floors of the buildings and extensive vertical circulation systems (elevators, escalators and stairs) would be required. PRT Consulting was requested to investigate the feasibility of replacing the bridge with PRT or GRT (group rapid transit). Two alternative alignments were investigated. The first matched the bridge concept and included about 750' of two-way guideway with stations at the first floor level of the buildings. The second had about 1,400' of two-way guideway. The extra guideway length was utilized to slope down to stations at ground level, thus obviating the need for additional vertical circulation facilities.
Role: Subconsultant to Stantec Architecture Inc. responsible for PRT/GRT alternative
Completed: 2011

PRT Market Assessment

Client: Lockheed Martin Corporation
Project: The client required an assessment of the global PRT market with an emphasis on airport opportunities. PRT assessed the PRT concept for its applicability to both the urban and airport markets worldwide. The historic, current and future markets were assessed by segment, barriers to entry were determined and an overview of existing suppliers was provided. A review of critical providers/partners for PRT implementation was undertaken. An airport-focused assessment of opportunities included analyses of numerous specific airport situations. A workshop meeting was held to educate Toffler Associates on PRT characteristics and present the results of the assessment.
Role: Subconsultant to Toffler Associates responsible for preliminary PRT market assessment.
Completed: 2011

Army Post Personal Rapid Transit Feasibility Study II

Client: Fort Carson Army Post (through Natural Capitalism Solutions Inc.)
Contact: Christopher Juniper, Natural Capitalism Solutions Inc.
(720) 278-1763
Project: This study involved investigating options for extending the PRT system off-Post into the surrounding communities. Financing and funding mechanisms were investigated. An analysis of the cradle-to-grave sustainability of PRT compared to other modes was undertaken. The likelihood of driverless cars reducing congestion in the near term was investigated.
Role: Prime consultant.
Completed: 2011

Automated Small Vehicle Transport Study

Client: Kansas Department of Transportation (through KSU)
Contact: Stanley E. Young, P.E., Ph.D.
Center for Advanced Transportation Technology.
Project: Investigated the feasibility of PRT to link retail businesses, speedway, ballpark, casino, water park, and transit and to improve accessibility while reducing parking requirements. The PRT system was designed to accommodate 5 million annual passengers and had ten miles of guideway and 26 stations. The project included literature review, conceptual design, ridership estimates, PRT simulations, code compliance, ownership and financing, as well as benefit/cost evaluation.
Role: Prime consultant.
Completed: 2010

Airport Master Plan Personal Rapid Transit Analysis

Client: Maryland Aviation Administration
Contact: Wayne B. Schuster, Director, Office of Planning and Environmental Services
Project: PRT Consulting undertook an analysis of a PRT alternative serving the Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport. The work included an overview of the leading PRT systems, their availability and suitability to provide the necessary service levels. A four-phased PRT system was identified, analyzed and evaluated to meet existing and projected airport needs. A preliminary evaluation was undertaken of the ability of one PRT system to serve both secure and non-secure portions of the airport. The total system included 3.6 miles of dual-lane guideway, 7.7 miles of single-lane guideway, 37 stations and the ability to accommodate approximately 60,000 daily passengers. As part of the airport's master planning process, the PRT system was compared to both the existing shuttle bus system and a proposed conventional automated people mover system
Role: Subconsultant to URS Corporation responsible for all PRT-related aspects
Completed: 2010

Army Post Personal Rapid Transit Feasibility Study

Client: Fort Carson Army Post (through Natural Capitalism Solutions Inc.)
Contact: Christopher Juniper, Natural Capitalism Solutions Inc.
(720) 278-1763
Project: PRT feasibility study including stakeholder and public participation, alignment and station location alternatives analysis, trip demand matrices, simulations, benefit/cost analyses and financial modeling. The PRT system was designed for 19.5 million annual passengers and had 23 miles of guideway, 35 stations and 800 T-Pods.
Role: Prime consultant.
Completed: 2009

Personal Rapid Transit Operational Testing

Client: PRT Vendor (confidential)
Contact: Confidential
Project: Constructed an at-grade track with a short segment of elevated track. Utilizing a small automobile, conducted operational testing under differing conditions. This phased project was completed over two winters and involved natural and manufactured precipitation events including snow and freezing rain. In addition to determining dynamic friction values, the project explored means and methods for mitigating the effects of adverse weather.
Role: Prime consultant.
Completed: 2008

Personal Rapid Transit Vendor Comparison Study

Client: Confidential
Contact: Confidential
Project: Analysis of the business and technical capabilities of four PRT vendors. The project was based on publicly-available information and examined the strengths and weaknesses of 2getthere, Vectus, Skyweb express and Ultra.
Role: Prime consultant.
Completed: 2008

Conceptual Personal Rapid Transit Feasibility Analysis

Client: Large US Airport (confidential)
Contact: Confidential
Project: Conceptual-level feasibility analysis of a PRT system linking two long-term parking lots to an airport terminal. The project established preliminary guideway routing and station locations. Capital and operating costs were determined and compared to those of the existing shuttle bus system.
Role: Prime consultant.
Completed: 2007

Personal Rapid Transit Safety and Security Research

Client: Kansas Department of Transportation (through KSU)
Contact: Stanley E. Young, P.E., Ph.D.
Center for Advanced Transportation Technology
Project: Safety and security research of an automated small vehicle transportation system on a university campus. This project examined the threats and vulnerabilities related to PRT safety and security, as well as means and methods for their mitigation. Overall PRT safety and security was evaluated in comparison with conventional modes of transportation.
Role: Prime consultant.
Completed: 2006

Airport Security Research

Client: Arapahoe County Public Airport Authority, Englewood, Colorado
Contact: Dr. Robert Olislagers, Executive Director
Project: TSA funded general aviation security research, covering automated video scene analysis, coupled with web-based semi-automated response management. This $1M project included industry giants such as Unysis and Northrop Grumman
Role: Project management. PRT Consulting was a subconsultant to Olsson Associates, the firm Peter Muller was working for when he was appointed project manager for this project.
Completed: 2005
Airport Security Research

Reimbursed/Award-Winning Speaking Engagements

Conference:
The Future of Advanced Smart Transit, Makkah, Saudi Arabia (Keynote Speaker)
Contact:
Dr. Hosam Joma hjoma@haramain.org.sa
Date:
3/11/2015
Conference:
Podcar City 8, Sweden
Contact:
Stan Young (301) 403-4593
Date:
9/4/2014
Conference:
3rd International Conference on Urban Public Transportation Systems, Paris
Contact:
Dr. Stan Young (301) 403-4593
Date:
11/18/2013
Conference:
ModuTram Test Track Inauguration, Guadalajara, Mexico
Contact:
Kyllmann (33) 3200-3725
Date:
1/27/2012
Conference:
APM-09 The 12th International Conference on Automated People Movers
Contact:
Bob Griebenow
Date:
6/1/2009
Conference:
ITS Heartland 8th Annual Meeting
Contact:
Stan Young
Date:
4/11/2007
Conference:
Sixth Fort Carson Community Sustainable Conference and Expo
Contact:
Christopher Juniper
Date:
10/31/2007
Conference:
APM-05 The 10th International Conference on Automated People Movers
Contact:
Bob Griebenow
Date:
5/4/2005