September 2023

From the President

Dear Peter, AACIDs in Atlanta have issued a request for proposals (RFP) for an ATN system. The intent is to build a two or three station demonstration system helping point the way to a much larger deployment. Following on the heels of the San Jose RFP, this is a significant step in the right direction.


Another important development also being spearheaded by Gerald McDowell, Executive Director of AACIDs is the formation of Autonomous Transit Communities (ATC). We understand this is proposed to be an organization of ATN owners and potential owners who can support each other through the process of investigating and implementing ATN systems. An initial meeting is planned to be held at the Podcar City Conference.


Podcar City 2023 November 30 – December 1 in San Jose, California promises to be the best ever! The program includes owners and potential owners, suppliers and developers, enthusiasts and sceptics, knowledgeable professors and professionals.


This is a great opportunity to learn about ATN from top to bottom. Please plan to attend. ATRA members get a discount.


PS: We love you. Please join ATRA/pay your dues/volunteer.


Together we can fix public transportation!


Best regards,


Peter Muller, ATRA President

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Podcar City Conference 2023 San Jose, CaliforniaNovember 30 - December 1
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Editorial

Why Does ATN Work?


The logic behind automated transit networks (ATN) is quite simple yet intriguing. It leverages four basic concepts:

  1. If you do not need drivers, you do not need large vehicles.
  2. If stations are offline (on sidings) every trip can be nonstop, or at least express. 
  3. If switching is vehicle-mounted (rather than rail-mounted), small vehicles can travel close together and provide similar capacity to large vehicles travelling further apart.
  4.  If the vehicles travel on dedicated guideways their computer control will be much simpler and safer. Trips will be quicker and more reliable, while traffic congestion will be reduced.

When we use small vehicles, we only need light, unobtrusive and relatively inexpensive guideway structures. Many small vehicles are needed, resulting in short waiting times.


Offline stations do not slow through traffic down so we can have many small stations rather than a few large ones. This results in short walking distances.


Now we have a safe system with short waiting and walking times and all trips nonstop or express. On top of that, everyone gets a seat!


Commercially available modern PRT systems have top speeds up to 45 MPH and capacities up to 19,000 passengers per hour per direction. Cost per passenger mile is much lower than bus rapid transit or light rail. Surface space required is about 1% of those modes. Now do you understand why Podcars work, and we are so excited about them?


Peter Muller, P.E., ATRA President

NEWS

Podcar City Newsletter 3

What's in this newsletter?


  • We Can Do Better!
  • Keynote & Conference Program
  • Enabling change through
  • technically creative solutions
  • Why Do Podcars Work?
  • Our Sponsors


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Driverless car legislation is still stuck in neutral in the US

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The above links are to articles that appear relevant to advanced transit but no guarantee is made as to their accuracy and no verification of the integrity of the associated websites has been made.

Editorial comments are in italics.
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