Analytical Capacity Limits of Personal Rapid Transit Stations

Abstract

Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) is becoming recognised as a high quality public transport mode. However, there is little literature available for designers and planners of PRT systems, particularly on the capacity and size characteristics of stations. This article will summarize and compare estimations of capacity for serial-type and "sawtooth"-type PRT stations. Station characteristics are a complex function of geometry, vehicle dynamics, boarding strategies and user behavior. Both analytical and micro simulation techniques have been used and the capacities and space-efficiencies with various load assumptions are compared. The results will be useful for selecting the most suitable station for a given space constraint and demand scenario.