Transition
Aside from the actual system design, the
most difficult logistical effort will be the migration from one system
to the other. Rather than attempt to convert an entire city at
once, logical sized neighborhood zones would be converted one after
another. During the transition automobiles would be parked in
garage structures and parking lots at the perimeter of the zone with
free transportation between home and automobile. Once a zone is
completed, users would travel to their automobile via the PRT. As
more and more regions are converted to the PRT, people would gradually
lose the need for their automobile.
The last roads to convert would be the highways between
cities. Given the distances involved, it might make sense to
develop an alternative piggy-back type train mechanism to cover the
greater distances more efficiently (TBD).
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Initial Installations
The early PRT installations would occur in
controlled environments, such as a new retirement community.
This would allow for both automobiles and the PRT to run
concurrently, providing a smooth transition between the two.
The greater goal of the PRT system is to replace the automobile,
but this scenario minimizes the disruption to the community
while the PRT system is undergoing development and tuning.
Another good candidate for early installations
would be any isolated communities, such as islands or remote
locations. A good example would
be Catalina Island, California...
The total track length is modest
and would provide a good test of elevation and corrosive weather
conditions. If test results lead to design changes, any
incompatibility with mainland installations is less critical
because the systems are not connected.
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