Visual Intrusion Study of PRT Guideways in Gävle, Sweden
In 1994, a study that examined the design and
possibilities of adapting a PRT technology with elevated guideways to the central area if
an old Swedish town like Gävle, Sweden, (population 90,000) was made. A brief description
of this study and a summary of the results obtained is included here. While the report
itself (47 pages) is written in Swedish, it contains many beautiful graphics which makes
it easy to understand for persons not able to read the Swedish text. A few of these
graphic illustrations are also included here.
In a previous study, a city-wide PRT network for Gävle was laid out. A map of this PRT network is provided for those interested in an
overview. This study includes examples of the design of different types of support columns
and guideways for three different street types, representing a variety of problems and
possibilities. It also includes plan view drawings, sections and perspective drawings for
three station areas, town models (3-D) and color photos of the existing city.
The authors conducted their development work on dimensions, designs and form of track
for a PRT system that is similar to the Swedish SkyCab and the PRT 2000 technology
that has been developed by the Raytheon Company in the U.S. While it is not necessary for
a PRT guideway to be elevated in all applications, this study was limited to elevated
guideways in all locations as they pose the greatest challenges with regard to effects on
journey quality, cost, encroachment, visual intrusion and physical barriers.
The three street types in the study were a main traffic artery into the city center, a
central street consisting mainly of housing and a tree-planted avenue in the city center.
All of these locations are of national historical importance and when it comes to the
conservation of the cultural environment but the streetscapes chosen were considered
representative of many Swedish cities.
The study covers technical dimensions ofcolumns and load bearing structures,
architectural design of columns, guideway elements and stations as well as environmental
design of those streets that would be affected.
The results show that an elevated PRT system would lead to a significant visual
encroachment upon the city's environment. The major visual intrusion is caused by the
stations, track girders and carriages that move along the tracks. The PRT system's
encroachment in the form of noise disturbance and as a barrier are minor.
However, this visual impact can be countered by careful architectural design of
columns, guideway, vehicles and stations with a view towards blending the system into the
existing street environment and building facades. A PRT system's visual encroachment upon
narrow streets may be countered by adjusting the street environment to the street's new
function. Reduction of vehicular traffic allows for a reduction in the size and number of
car lanes and increased space for pedestrians, cyclists and tree plantings.
As has been shown in previous studies of PRT in Gävle, a PRT system would provide a
good basis upon which to offer a high quality of travel comfort, low-risk for accidents,
long term, durable environmental benefits and comparatively low travel costs. A well
designed and functional PRT system is judged to have benefits which would allow it to
become a positive feature in the cityscape of Gävle despite it visual encroachment
attributes.
At this time, the reception given this study by officials and citizens in Gävle is
unknown and its impact on further PRT studies in Gävle is also unknown. However, a
contact person in Sweden is given below.
Graphics from the Report
Since the graphics from this report are quite large, they have been arranged on
separate pages so that viewers can select only those that they wish to download. They are
as follows:
Color sketch from the cover of the Report (120k)
Color sketch of a street scene (110k)
Color sketch from a pedestrian's eye view , under a PRT
guideway (128k)
Photo of one of the 3-D physical models constructed in this
study (43k)
Sketch of four different designs for supporting columns (70k)
Sketch showing station design concepts (81k)
Five sketches showing various street and station scenes: #1 (26k),
#2 (81k), #3 (44k), #4 (53k), #5 (54k).
Contact information: Title of Report: Studie Av Spårtaxi I Gävle,
1994, 47 pp., ISBN 91-88370-93-3; ISSN 0282-8014
Author: Peter Kautzky, FFNS Arkilekter, Björn Holmquist, Gävles, Stadsarkitektkontor,
Sweden
For more information on PRT studies in Sweden, one can contact the Swedish Transport
and Communications Research Board, Biger Jaris torg 5, Box 1273, S-111 92 Stockholm
Tel: +46 8 796 64 00; Fax: +46 8 24 56 97
Last modified: September 11, 2002
