Raytheon's PRT 2000 Design Characteristics

Source: Clougher, W.J., Fergione, A.J. and Tauber, R., Personal Rapid Transit PRT 2000 System Characteristics, Appendix I, Raytheon Corporation, 4/1997

The following describes the system features and outlines the performance advantages gained with PRT. During the last several years a number of engineering/economic trade-off studies were conducted and tests performed with resulted in the current design.

Capabilities

Vehicle capacity -- 4 seated passengers, or 1 passenger in wheelchair with seated companions

System capacity -- Greater than 10,000 passengers per hour. Site specific analysis and design required

Platform capacity -- Up to 3,000 passengers per hour (2 to 6 berth stations)

Wait time -- Zero - off-peak, typically under 3 minutes during peak demand periods

Trip time -- 2.5 to 3.5 minutes for a 1 mile trip

Performance

Vehicle speed -- 30 mph (48 kph) maximum forward speed

Acceleration & service braking -- 0.25g maximum, jerk limited at 0.25g/s

Emergency braking -- 0.25g to 0.5g fail-safe emergency braking

Lateral acceleration -- 0.25g maximum with jerk less that 0.25g/s using spiral transitions. Up to 6 degrees of superelevation

Headway -- Minimum separation of 2.5 seconds at 30 mph. Actual headway varies with traffic patters. Shorter headways planned

Energy use -- 300W-Hr/vehicle mile

Guideway

Design features -- Open structure with pipe support (other type supports available). 24" diameter support columns, center walk surface, electric anti-icing available

Dimensions -- 78" W x 76" H (198 cm Wide by 193 cm High)

Span -- Up to 120 ft. (36 m) with standard structures

Minimum curve radius -- 60 ft. (18 m)

Grade - Up to 6% continuous at full performance; 10% maximum with full performance for 400 feet (~120 m)

Vehicle

Vehicle weight -- 5,000 lb. (2041 kg)

Vehicle payload -- 900 lb. (408 kg)

Cabin features -- 4 seated passengers or 1 passenger in wheelchair with seated companion. Reinforced fiberglass cabin construction. 32" (81 cm) automatic door on each side. Front and rear exterior lights. Built-in HVAC, passenger display & audio annunciation, emergency intercom. Ample floor space for luggage or wheelchair T-turn. Emergency hatch at front.

Interior cabin dimensions -- 47" W x 76" L x 56" H (117 cm W x 193 cm L x 142 cm H)

Exterior cabin  dimensions -- 65" W x 134" L x 65" H (165 cm W x 340 cm L x 165 cm H)

Chassis features -- 4-wheel drive, 24" (61 cm) run-flat pneumatic tires. Dual, 50 KW AC induction motors. In-vehicle switch. Passive steering, all wheels. Four 12" (30 cm) lateral support wheels

Chassis dimensions -- 4.5 W x 13.5 L x 39" H (168 cm W x 457 cm L x 99 cm H)

Power supply and distribution

Design features -- 600V DC, dual redundant utility feed, two insulated distribution rails, electric anti-icing available

Control System

Design features -- Full automation, automatic vehicle protection (AVP), automatic vehicle supervision (AVS) federated architecture, communications based control 2.4 Ghz spread spectrum, unlicensed radio, redundant processors.

Last modified: November 10, 2010