TIANJIN STUDIO 2012 Riders input their desired destination at either station kiosks or via individual smart phones. This information is sent to a data hub where optimal schedules and logistics are calculated for the transit fleet. Each car then receives instructions from the hub, detailing which routes to take as well as which stations to stop at or bypass.
IDEAL ENVIRONMENTS GRT | PRT is best applied as a feeder system between major nodes of activity. For example, providing a connection between a major commercial area and residential nodes, or with a central business district and a regional transport base (airport or high speed rail). Its flexibility between running as a normal scheduled service and an at-call on demand service befits areas that have very distinct ebbs and flows of travel demand. For locations like the Vanke site, where residents are likely to commute to work in main Tianjin City or near the Bohai Bay, GRT|PRT is a great option for local transit. As the area develops and centers of commerce and populations change, GRT|PRT can also adapt to meet changing demands. The at-call nature of the PRT system is also very accommodating for an elderly or physically disabled population. Amongst Vanke’s future clientele, the aging population will be an increasingly important and influential group.
Figure 9.2: PRT Kiosk in Masdar, Saudi Arabia Source: PRT Consulting Inc.
Waiting riders will be able to observe the realtime progress of the GRT | PRT cars and receive predicted wait times via the kiosks or their individual phones. The kiosks should also be designed to inform riders of available transfers or delays in the greater regional transportation network. During the off-peak, there is usually a lesser and more dispersed level of travel demand. For offpeak hours, Using PRT is more cost efficient than a fixed system because it bases the level of transit provision on realtime demand, thereby reducing the likelihood and cost of sending out empty, underutilized transit cars. 138
FUTURE RESPONSIVE TO PREDICTIVE During its early implementation, GRT|PRT functions as a responsive transportation system, reacting to realtime demand in the off-peak hours. During this initial period, the system is also continually collecting a vast wealth of data on travel behavior. All of this information on the frequency and patterns of local travel demand will allow the system to become more predictive in its future operations. More information will lead to greater accuracy in estimating the locations and timing of high and low demands. It will also help reveal the most popular destinations and travel corridors during different hours of the day. Patterns of delay and congestion can be detected and analyzed to resolve their major chokepoints. All of this historic data will help inform future transportation planning decisions. It will improve GRT|PRT’s provision of transit service and help the entire system operate more cost-effectively. Key to the future of GRT|PRT is the advancing progress of information and communication technology. Both fields are expected to produce even faster computational software and cheaper consumer hardware (smart phones) in the near future. Future developments and transportation plans should consider GRT|PRT as a viable and adaptable mode for local public transit.
Figure 9.3: PRT Kiosk in Capelle aan den IJssel, Netherlands Source: 2getthere