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PRT Stations

PRT stations are typically created off-line – a pre-requisite in case of a ‘true’ PRT system because of the amount of vehicles and the short headways (2 to 4 seconds). In PRT-like applications (fewer vehicles, longer headways) on-line stations are a possibility. For both off- and on-line stations there are several standard designs that can be readily implemented.

For a PRT system to be truly effective the (capital and maintenance) costs of stations should be minimized to allow a high density. The accessibility of the system will be negatively influenced when costs become prohibitive for the installation of more stations – depriving the system of one of its’ key advantages. All stations should be designed individually to ensure optimal integration within the local spatial planning (space available) for that particular station.

The size (length and width), platform and track layout for each station will always be based on the capacity required, the traffic intensity expected and the desired image of the location. When capacity requires, a station can feature multiple (independent) berths – allowing for multiple vehicles being boarded at the same time, ensuring a higher throughput, eliminating single-point-of-failure vulnerability and thus increasing system availability.

A key aspect for offline stations is the ramps. The ramps should be long enough to allow for acceleration up to a suitable merging speed. If the ramps do not allow for merging at full speed, this has to be taken into account in the system design. Either the ongoing traffic will need to be slowed down to the maximum merging speed that can be achieved based on the length of the ramp or departure from a station is only facilitated when sufficient space (in time) is available between vehicles of the ongoing traffic.

Each station platform is approximately 25cm high, allowing for level entry and exit of the vehicles. A wheelchair ramp (or elevator in case of an elevated infrastructure) is provided for access to the platform by disabled passengers. A relief pattern is available to guide visually disabled passengers. 2getthere has designed a passenger interface for system information and to request transportation (if at that moment no vehicles are present in the station). To secure the personal safety of the passengers an intercom is integrated in the passenger interface and CCTV is installed.

The platform is segregated from the track by means of a physical barrier (e.g. fence or glass wall), optionally featuring sliding platform doors. The platform doors will only open when a vehicle is present at the other side of the doors, thus ensuring passengers can not accidentally enter the track. Whether or not platform doors are necessary (for safety) is determined for each station individually.

When fare collection is required, the station infrastructure (and costs) increases by the addition of tourniquets and ticketing machines. Ticketing systems of different suppliers can be integrated on the station. 2getthere favors the incorporation of the operational costs in either parking or rent fees and offering the transportation (seemingly) free of charge.