CyberCab Personal Safety
Personal safety, unfortunately, is becoming an issue for publicly accessible transportation systems in most parts of the world. In automated transportation systems the social function of the driver is to be replaced by smart design and technical measures – ensuring passengers are safe from harassment, vandalism, robbery and the likes.
The short waiting times at stations of a PRT system contribute to the personal safety of the passengers. The time spent waiting in a station and the chance of unwanted company in the same vehicle is minimized. Although the likelihood is small, additional preventive measures are required.
The CyberCab vehicle design incorporates large (clear) windows, allowing for social interaction between passengers and their surroundings. This is a requirement to enable people to pay attention to anything out of the ordinary. As people are less likely to act nowadays (out of fear) when they do observe harassment or vandalism, technical measures are required.
Each PRT vehicle is equipped with at least one camera and an intercom. The camera has a preventive function as images are stored up to 24hrs, allowing identification of perpetrators. However, the images can also be viewed real-time. In the case of an emergency or use of the intercom, the video-images of that particular vehicle will be displayed on the screen(s) of the operator immediately – allowing him to act appropriately.
A final technical measure is to install a ‘panic-button’ in the vehicle. Upon activation the camera-images will be displayed on the operator screens and the vehicle will be re-routed to a pre-programmed destination (easily accessibly by paramedics, police). The operator will alert the appropriate parties to be present at the station when the vehicle arrives.
Together these technical measures ensure passengers have a safe feeling traveling the PRT system.