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Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) in Milpitas

How it Works Construction Economics Point-To-Point Transport Capacity Concerns PRT and the Environment SF Bay Area Further Information
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The Sunnyhills Neighborhood Association (SNA) is working toward a PRT feeder from their
neighborhood to the Great Mall Transit Center (LRT, buses and future BART).

What is PRT?

Click image for more photos.

Cabs are small, light-weight, and electric powered. Each cab accomodates 1 to 3 people and travels 25-75 mph.

(Click here to see more photos.)

Guideways, with a diameter of only 3 feet, can be routed through small spaces and even into buildings. This model was displayed in Milpitas Town Center (8/03).

Guideway capacity: one guideway can handle up to 6,000 people per hour (pph). (Click here for details and pictures.)

Click image to learn more about SkyWeb Express.

Stations are 1) small, 2) spaced about 1/2 mile apart, and 3) off the main line so cabs can proceed non-stop to their destinations. (Click here for animation and drawings.)

Economics

  • Affordable to build/construct (1/3 the cost of LRT).

  • Affordable to operate and maintain (1/3 the cost of buses).
  • Affordable to the consumer/user/rider ($0.75 per ride in Milpitas).
  • Affordable to modify/expand/re-use as needed (modular parts).

How does PRT work?

Select destination station and pay. Board the cab. Enjoy the ride. Exit the cab.

System Capacity - PRT moves as many people per guideway as 3 lanes of freeway (6000/hr).

Proven Technology - Most hardware components of PRT systems are "off-the-shelf" technology proven in 114 Automated People Movers (APM) around the world. Software control systems, although proven in software simulations and in Internet routing, will require exhaustive physical testing before public use of an operational PRT system.

Environmental Impact - PRT uses less energy, land, and material resources than cars, buses and trains. It's also quieter, cleaner, and more neighborhood-friendly.

Point-to-point transport offers three big advantages over transit which stops at stations along the way:

  • It effectively doubles the average speed of transit so people arrive at their destinations quicker.

  • Starts and stops consume energy; saving energy saves money and pollution.
  • Since the cab will automatically go to the selected station, passengers get uninterrupted time to read, work, meditate, talk on the phone, or even sleep.

How could we use PRT in Milpitas?

  1. Offer "ferry" service over the railroad tracks to connect Yosemite Drive with Curtis Avenue.

  2. Connect the Great Mall's entertainment area with the LRT station.
  3. Link Main Street and the Midtown Area with the LRT station and City Hall.
  4. Provide city-wide service which connects most residential areas with most popular destinations.
  5. Impact regional transportation by linking the Fremont BART station to LRT.

Questions and Answers

What do you need to know before supporting PRT in Milpitas?

Request for support via survey.

Print the survey, check-mark ideas that you support, and mail it in. Or pass a copy along to someone else. Let's accept this opportunitity to improve our air quality, safety, social equity, security, and children's future.

Help the Sunnyhills Neighborhood Association demonstrate public support -- fill out a survey.

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