>Good Response to City's Transit Technology Request for Information
>All Eligible Modes Represented
>
>By Bill Brennan, 1/29/2008 2:52:12 PM
>
>Twelve submittals have been received from
>suppliers of a range of fixed guideway transit
>system vehicles in response to the City and
>County of Honolulu’s Request for Information (RFI).
>
>The RFI is intended to supplement and expand the
>City’s understanding of available fixed guideway
>transit system vehicle technologies that meet
>the City’s requirements for its planned transit
>system. The submittals include all four
>technology options discussed in the City Council Resolution 07-367.
>
>They are “steel wheel on steel rail”, “rubber
>tire on concrete”, “monorail”, and “magnetic
>levitation”. Information received will be
>reviewed and evaluated by a five member
>independent panel which will select the fixed guideway vehicle technology.
>
>“January 24, 2008 was the deadline for
>submissions. The RFI was issued late last year,
>and the following manufacturers or technology
>supplier groups responded,” stated Department of
>Transportation Services Director Wayne Yoshioka:
>
>• Advanced Public Transport Systems, submitted
>rubber tire vehicles that run on concrete;
>
>• ALSTOM Transport, submitted steel wheel/steel rail vehicles;
>
>• AnsaldoBreda Transportation, Inc., submitted
>steel wheel/steel rail vehicles;
>
>• Bombardier Transportation, submitted steel wheel/steel rail vehicles;
>
>• Hitachi America, submitted monorail vehicles;
>
>• IHI Corporation, submitted rubber tire vehicles that run on concrete;
>
>• Mitsubishi-Itochu, submitted magnetic levitation vehicles;
>
>• Mitsubishi-Sumitomo, submitted steel wheel/steel rail vehicles;
>
>• Siemens Transportation Systems, Inc.,
>submitted steel wheel/steel rail vehicles;
>
>• Siemens Transportation Systems, Inc.,
>submitted rubber tired vehicles that run on concrete;
>
>• Thales, submitted specialized train control systems;
>
>• Translohr, submitted rubber tired vehicles that run on concrete.
>
>Photos of some of the vehicles produced by these
>manufacturers are available at the Honolulu
>High-Capacity Transit Corridor Project website
>at <http://www.honolulutransit.org/>http://www.honolulutransit.org
>“I’m very pleased by the tremendous response
>we’ve received,” said Mayor Mufi Hannemann.
>
>“The interest being expressed by a wide variety
>o f vehicle manufacturers ensures that this will
>result in a rigorous, competitive procurement
>process in the future. I’m confident that
>Honolulu is going to get the technology that
>best meets our needs at an extremely competitive price.”
>
>In accordance with the resolution passed by the
>Honolulu City Council establishing the
>technology selection panel, the transit vehicle
>technology will be selected within 30 days of
>receipt of the RFI submittals. In keeping with
>that time line, the independent technology panel
>is scheduled to make a technology selection by the end of February.
>
>Bill Brennan is a spokesperson for Mayor Mufi Hannemann
>
><http://www.hawaiireporter.com/story.aspx?5ee1a573-a654-4887-8fbf-4822121f8e12>http://www.hawaiireporter.com/story.aspx?5ee1a573-a654-4887-8fbf-4822121f8e12
>< /div>
>__._,_.___
><http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MET_Houston/message/3506;_ylc=X3oDMTM0ZmdocDNmBF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzg0ODg1MzIEZ3Jwc3BJZAMxNzA1Mjk1MjY5BG1zZ0lkAzM1MDYEc2VjA2Z0cgRzbGsDdnRwYwRzdGltZQMxMjAxNjU5MjA2BHRwY0lkAzM1MDY->Messages
>in this topic (1)
><http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MET_Houston/post;_ylc=X3oDMTJwMW9oMm92BF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzg0ODg1MzIEZ3Jwc3BJZAMxNzA1Mjk1MjY5BG1zZ0lkAzM1MDYEc2VjA2Z0cgRzbGsDcnBseQRzdGltZQMxMjAxNjU5MjA2?act=reply&messageNum=3506>Reply
>(via web post) |
><http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MET_Houston/post;_ylc=X3oDMTJlMTljZDNtBF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzg0ODg1MzIEZ3Jwc3BJZAMxNzA1Mjk1MjY5BHNlYwNmdHIEc2xrA250cGMEc3RpbWUDMTIwMTY1OTIwNg-->Start
>a new topic
><http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MET_Houston/messages;_ylc=X3oDMTJlajFjN3I1BF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzg0ODg1MzIEZ3Jwc3BJZAMxNzA1Mjk1MjY5BHNlYwNmdHIEc2xrA21zZ3MEc3RpbWUDMTIwMTY1OTIwNg-->Messages
>|
><http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MET_Houston/files;_ylc=X3oDMTJmZWZtYzRkBF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzg0ODg1MzIEZ3Jwc3BJZAMxNzA1Mjk1MjY5BHNlYwNmdHIEc2xrA2ZpbGVzBHN0aW1lAzEyMDE2NTkyMDY->Files
>|
><http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MET_Houston/photos;_ylc=X3oDMTJlOWJmbm1sBF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzg0ODg1MzIEZ3Jwc3BJZAMxNzA1Mjk1MjY5BHNlYwNmdHIEc2xrA3Bob3QEc3RpbWUDMTIwMTY1OTIwNg-->Photos
>|
><http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MET_Houston/database;_ylc=X3oDMTJjbmR1bGptBF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzg0ODg1MzIEZ3Jwc3BJZAMxNzA1Mjk1MjY5BHNlYwNmdHIEc2xrA2RiBHN0aW1lAzEyMDE2NTkyMDY->Database
>|
><http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MET_Houston/polls;_ylc=X3oDMTJmNnZjbWg1BF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzg0ODg1MzIEZ3Jwc3BJZAMxNzA1Mjk1MjY5BHNlYwNmdHIEc2xrA3BvbGxzBHN0aW1lAzEyMDE2NTkyMDY->Polls
>|
><http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MET_Houston/calendar;_ylc=X3oDMTJkZmZoYmJiBF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzg0ODg1MzIEZ3Jwc3BJZAMxNzA1Mjk1MjY5BHNlYwNmdHIEc2xrA2NhbARzdGltZQMxMjAxNjU5MjA2>Calendar
>
>MARKETPLACE
>
><http://us.ard.yahoo.com/SIG=13rg6nk5q/M=571476.12066680.12490312.11509771/D=groups/S=1705295269:MKP1/Y=YAHOO/EXP=1201666406/L=/B=6tLrAULaX.U-/J=1201659206331235/A=5086951/R=0/SIG=12k8pu1n3/*http://college-finder.net/index.cfm?key=yahoo_colfngrouptxt_12066680&c=CA152932587>Earn
>your degree in as few as 2 years - Advance your
>career with an AS, BS, MS degree - College-Finder.net.
><http://groups.yahoo.com/;_ylc=X3oDMTJkc3A4cmh2BF9TAzk3NDc2NTkwBGdycElkAzg0ODg1MzIEZ3Jwc3BJZAMxNzA1Mjk1MjY5BHNlYwNmdHIEc2xrA2dmcARzdGltZQMxMjAxNjU5MjA2>
>Yahoo! Groups
>
><http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MET_Houston/join;_ylc=X3oDMTJmczZmcDA5BF9TAzk3NDc2NTkwBGdycElkAzg0ODg1MzIEZ3Jwc3BJZAMxNzA1Mjk1MjY5BHNlYwNmdHIEc2xrA3N0bmdzBHN0aW1lAzEyMDE2NTkyMDY->Change
>settings via the Web (Yahoo! ID required)
>Change settings via email:
><mailto:MET_Houst...@yahoogroups.com?subject=Email
>Delivery: Digest>Switch delivery to Daily Digest
>|
><mailto:MET_Houston...@yahoogroups.com?subject=Change
>Delivery Format: Traditional>Switch format to Traditional
><http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MET_Houston;_ylc=X3oDMTJka2h0a3ByBF9TAzk3NDc2NTkwBGdycElkAzg0ODg1MzIEZ3Jwc3BJZAMxNzA1Mjk1MjY5BHNlYwNmdHIEc2xrA2hwZgRzdGltZQMxMjAxNjU5MjA2>Visit
>Your Group |
><http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/>Yahoo! Groups
>Terms of Use |
><mailto:MET_Houston...@yahoogroups.com?subject=>Unsubscribe
>Recent Activity
> * 1
> <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MET_Houston/members;_ylc=X3oDMTJmb2ljdGc1BF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzg0ODg1MzIEZ3Jwc3BJZAMxNzA1Mjk1MjY5BHNlYwN2dGwEc2xrA3ZtYnJzBHN0aW1lAzEyMDE2NTkyMDY->New
> Members
><http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MET_Houston;_ylc=X3oDMTJlOTZnOGtnBF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzg0ODg1MzIEZ3Jwc3BJZAMxNzA1Mjk1MjY5BHNlYwN2dGwEc2xrA3ZnaHAEc3RpbWUDMTIwMTY1OTIwNg-->Visit
>Your Group
>Yahoo! Finance
>
><http://us.ard.yahoo.com/SIG=13ojp1kh4/M=493064.12016257.12445664.8674578/D=groups/S=1705295269:NC/Y=YAHOO/EXP=1201666406/L=/B=69LrAULaX.U-/J=1201659206331235/A=4507179/R=0/SIG=12de4rskk/*http://us.rd.yahoo.com/evt=50284/*http://finance.yahoo.com/personal-finance>It's
>Now Personal
>
>Guides, news,
>
>advice & more.
>Self Improvement
>
><http://us.ard.yahoo.com/SIG=13o55c72l/M=493064.12117552.12537389.8674578/D=groups/S=1705295269:NC/Y=YAHOO/EXP=1201666406/L=/B=7NLrAULaX.U-/J=1201659206331235/A=5170404/R=0/SIG=11ml7n8m5/*http://advision.webevents.yahoo.com/selfimprovement/>on
>Yahoo! Groups
>
>Connect with people
>
>and get support.
>Curves on Yahoo!
>
><http://us.ard.yahoo.com/SIG=13pft94c4/M=493064.12016299.12445691.11322765/D=groups/S=1705295269:NC/Y=YAHOO/EXP=1201666406/L=/B=7dLrAULaX.U-/J=1201659206331235/A=4990220/R=0/SIG=11odsb6gn/*http://new.groups.yahoo.com/Women_Of_Curves_Everywhere>Share
>& discuss
>
>Curves, fitness
>
>and weight loss.
>.
>
>__,_._,___
We have experienced the same thing working with an airport. They
appeared interested, but when the tender finally came out we a)
initially weren't alerted and b) the tender was geared towards other
technologies. Usually that is a sign that they haven chosen a certain
type of solution already.
I wonder what the basis of the decision will be. If it is costs mainly,
the system with less infrastructure (no rail), is going to have a heck
of an advantage!
Robbert
Jerry Roane schreef:
> The trick is to find out about these things a few days before the
> deadline. Was this announced and I missed it? I met some guys from
> Hawaii at the solar conference and they were very interested but I was
> unaware of this request for bids. I wish I had been given this
> information.
>
> I believe that a silent monorail would fit the vacation setting there.
>
> Jerry Roane
>
> On Jan 29, 2008 10:33 PM, Jerry Schneider <j...@peak.org
> <mailto:MET_Houst...@yahoogroups.com>?subject=Email
> >Delivery: Digest>Switch delivery to Daily Digest
> >|
> ><mailto:MET_Houston...@yahoogroups.com
> <mailto:MET_Houston...@yahoogroups.com>?subject=Change
> >Delivery Format: Traditional>Switch format to Traditional
> ><http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MET_Houston;_ylc=X3oDMTJka2h0a3ByBF9TAzk3NDc2NTkwBGdycElkAzg0ODg1MzIEZ3Jwc3BJZAMxNzA1Mjk1MjY5BHNlYwNmdHIEc2xrA2hwZgRzdGltZQMxMjAxNjU5MjA2>Visit
> >Your Group |
> ><http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/>Yahoo! Groups
> >Terms of Use |
> ><mailto:MET_Houston...@yahoogroups.com
> <mailto:MET_Houston...@yahoogroups.com>?subject=>Unsubscribe
Walt Brewer
>"The interest being expressed by a wide variety
>o f vehicle manufacturers ensures that this will
>result in a rigorous, competitive procurement
>process in the future. I'm confident that
>Honolulu is going to get the technology that
>best meets our needs at an extremely competitive price."
>. Advanced Public Transport Systems, submitted
>rubber tire vehicles that run on concrete;
>
>. ALSTOM Transport, submitted steel wheel/steel rail vehicles;
>
>. AnsaldoBreda Transportation, Inc., submitted
>steel wheel/steel rail vehicles;
>
>. Bombardier Transportation, submitted steel wheel/steel rail vehicles;
>
>. Hitachi America, submitted monorail vehicles;
>
>. IHI Corporation, submitted rubber tire vehicles that run on concrete;
>
>. Mitsubishi-Itochu, submitted magnetic levitation vehicles;
>
>. Mitsubishi-Sumitomo, submitted steel wheel/steel rail vehicles;
>
>. Siemens Transportation Systems, Inc.,
>submitted steel wheel/steel rail vehicles;
>
>. Siemens Transportation Systems, Inc.,
>submitted rubber tired vehicles that run on concrete;
>
>. Thales, submitted specialized train control systems;
>
>. Translohr, submitted rubber tired vehicles that run on concrete.
Why does public transit have to mean MASS transit?
All pictures for the proposal show cattle cars.
F.
Wed 30 Jan 2008
Posted by Matthieu DESIDERIO under finance, infrastructure, passengers, politics, projects, public transport, rail, road, transport (edit this)
Honolulu has a "High-Capacity Transit Corridor Project" and the City & County of Honolulu sent a Request for Information (RFI). Twelve submittals were received from suppliers of fixed guideway transit system vehicles and include all four technology options for evaluation: "steel wheel on steel rail", "rubber tire on concrete", "monorail", and "magnetic levitation".
Among these twelve proposals, I particularly like one for multiple reasons I can not really explain here: Lohr Industrie Translohr rubber tire on concrete, rail-guided, light rail. This system has been implemented in the city of Clermont Ferrand in France (entered operation on October 14, 2006) and chosen also by four other cities: three in Italy (Padua, L'Aquila, and Mestre-Venice) and one in China (Tianjin).
The Translohr is a part of the new generation of light-rail urban tramways. Being a real tool to re-conquer the urban space and to transform the city as well as its use in-depth, it offers a unique ease of urban insertion thanks to its manoeuvrability and its man-sized gauge.
Source: Lohr Industrie website
Despite that I am a Translohr fan, I would say that 12 submittals is really good for such a project, and could also be good for French international commercial development, Alstom Transport and Thales being in the game.
Here is the list of all proposals received by the City & County of Honolulu:
However, I would like to mention what I read in a Google Group I recently subscribed: Transport Innovators. This group is discussing innovative transport systems (see references below) and posted a message about Honolulu's project.
Definitely, all proposals submitted are only ligh-rail-like products ("cattle cars" as said in the Transport Innovators' messages) and none of them include innovative products such as PRTs or lighter vehicles that could fit more with Honolulu's public transport needs. Indeed, as Mr. Walter Brewer says in the discussion, "the real problem will be getting people to ride".
Subscribe to the Newsletter: TIG-mdesider...@googlegroups.com
http://groups.google.com/group/TIG-mdesiderio
I think this is a little unfair. I don't promote GRT, I propose
replacing MASS transit with (or using the money for MASS transit for)
PRT-sized vehicles used in a GRT mode as a transition step to full
PRT. Also, in some cases, having a GRT capability will be invaluable,
for example, to manage unexpected traffic until a proper solution is
implemented.
F.
http://geocities.com/rhapsodiser/
On Jan 30, 10:06 am, Michael Weidler wrote:
> Why do you keep insisting on GRT? The "reason" is exactly the same.
>
Walt Brewer
----- Original Message -----
From: "eph" <rhaps...@yahoo.com>
To: "transport-innovators" <transport-...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Wednesday, January 30, 2008 9:41 AM
Subject: [t-i] Re: Fwd: [MET_Houston] Honolulu: Good Response To City's
Transit Request
>
Walt Brewer
----- Original Message -----
From: "eph" <rhaps...@yahoo.com>
To: "transport-innovators" <transport-...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Wednesday, January 30, 2008 10:29 AM
Subject: [t-i] Re: Fwd: [MET_Houston] Honolulu: Good Response To City's
Transit Request
>
It's nice in principle to think you're saving five trips by putting six
people into a single vehicle, but it changes things a lot--vehicles have to
wait in stations for enough people to show up, passengers have to make
multiple stops to let each other off, the vehicles have to have aisles so
that some people can get off without everybody getting up...
Also, you basically give up the ability to expand your single line system to
a large network, because once you can't just get on an "inbound" train, it
becomes impossible to find groups of six who are going the same way.
So that's why there's such a bright line between GRT and PRT, even GRT with
smallish vehicles.
Your other big problem, of course, is that you're trying to recommend a
system nobody is trying to sell yet. One of the first criteria a city will
apply is availability, so you'll have an easier time (though certainly not
an easy time!) getting ULTra considered than you will a theoretical GRT
system.
-----Original Message-----
From: transport-...@googlegroups.com
[mailto:transport-...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of eph
Sent: Wednesday, January 30, 2008 8:44 AM
To: transport-innovators
Subject: [t-i] Re: Fwd: [MET_Houston] Honolulu: Good Response To City's
Transit Request
Sorry, most of this has been said already but there are new people on
the list.
--
Ian Ford i...@ianford.com 505.246.8490
> If you have a 4 person (or whatever) vehicle with pphd numbers that
> work, I'll be happy to consider it for my Ottawa proposal.
>
> My proposal (S3) replaces the busway, so using buses for peak hours
> isn't possible.
It is possible to install a low-visual cross-section elevated guideway
over the busway?
Kirston Henderson
MegaRail®
"Of greater importance to the U.S. delegation was the positive
economic performance in evidence with Maglev transportation: Due to
its high speeds and reduced costs of operations and maintenance, the
Shanghai Maglev train attracts twice the number of riders needed to
pay its O&M costs. This makes the Shanghai Maglev one of a few - if
not the only - transit project in the world that does not require an
operating subsidy."
I thought the Shanghai maglev was losing at the farebox??? Can anyone shed
some light?
Of course covering capital costs at the farebox is another item.
Dennis
You should check out performance data on Morgantown GRT. Off the top of my
head:
Vehicle size - 8 seated 12 standing
Headway - 5 minutes scheduled (somewhat shorter during high demand)
Max capacity - 3600 pphpd
Almost never runs in PRT mode even during low demand conditions. Too
expensive to run that size vehicle with only one person aboard.
Dennis
Are you prepared to put in USD300K as investment or loan? We can build and
demonstrate the DM/PRT according to your desired. In fact, your proposed
system is what we have been planning to build.
Tan Lien Chiow
-----Original Message-----
From: transport-...@googlegroups.com
[mailto:transport-...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of eph
F.
<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MET_Houston/messages;_ylc=X3oDMTJlajFjN...>Me
ssages
> >> >>>>> |
> >> >>>>>
<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MET_Houston/files;_ylc=X3oDMTJmZWZtYzRk...>Fi
les
> >> >>>>> |
> >> >>>>>
<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MET_Houston/photos;_ylc=X3oDMTJlOWJmbm1...>Ph
otos
> >> >>>>> |
> >> >>>>>
<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MET_Houston/database;_ylc=X3oDMTJjbmR1b...>Da
tabase
> >> >>>>> |
> >> >>>>>
<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MET_Houston/polls;_ylc=X3oDMTJmNnZjbWg1...>Po
lls
> >> >>>>> |
> >> >>>>>
<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MET_Houston/calendar;_ylc=X3oDMTJkZmZoY...>Ca
lendar
> >> >>>>> MARKETPLACE
> >> >>>>>
<http://us.ard.yahoo.com/SIG=13rg6nk5q/M=571476.12066680.12490312.1150...>Ea
rn
>
> Ha - yes of course, you're right. I was thinking about the Raytheon
> system. Wiki says "heated track was too expensive" operational since
> 1975 doesn't seem like such a failure...
I would suspect that the the O&M costs of the steam plant and the steam
pipes in the guideway for the Morgantown system would be pretty high in cold
and snowy weather.
Kirston Henderson
MegaRail®
Yes, I have a name. I don't want it posted on the internet for
privacy reasons. Hope you understand. You can use Frank or Fred if
you like, I'll respond. :-)
From what I read of Morgantown, I would say the 5 second headways is
what killed it. Without shorter headways, the number of guideways
needed to move the required number of people exceeded (by a good
margin) the cost of alternate (rail?) solution. So the cautionary
tale doesn't necessarily apply without knowing the real facts.
If you have a 4 person (or whatever) vehicle with pphd numbers that
work, I'll be happy to consider it for my Ottawa proposal.
My proposal (S3) replaces the busway, so using buses for peak hours
isn't possible.
F.
S3 - http://geocities.com/rhapsodiser/
Luckily, I didn't build my earlier concept model, as my latest approach to
getting the system up is now less costly and more practical with existing
technologies.
There are IP which can be patented but it depends on available funding
before we can procced.
300K actually will be matched by government grants and is for building the
demonstration system. Our National University of Singapore is providing
the space and students for the Proof-Of-Concept. These offers reduce our
cost significantly as we only have to buy 5 EVs which may cost about 100K
and fit the 1 km road with sensors (20K) to provide the guideway for the
automated EVs. There will be at least four stations and are sufficient for
the testing. In fact, the Proof-Of-Concept system can remain functional
and extend out to cover the whole campus.
The EVs will be retrofitted for computer control and the whole system
software can be done in a short time with help from other existing PRT
sources.
If you like we can have a chat over the Skypes. My Skypes Account name is
"LienChiowTan" or email me at TanLie...@MonicPRT.com
Tan Lien Chiow
Even more amazing when one considers it stops operating by 21:00 each night
and does not connect to Shanghai's central rail station.
John Evans
Tel. 44 (0) 161 456 4896
Fax. 44 (0) 161 456 8908
Mob. 44 (0) 781 412 3431
Talking about Shanghai, I was surprised nobody appears to have incorporated
PRT for the 2010 Shanghai world expo.
I would thought it would an ideal opportunity to show the world what it's
all about?
John Evans
Tel. 44 (0) 161 456 4896
Fax. 44 (0) 161 456 8908
Mob. 44 (0) 781 412 3431
----- Original Message -----
From: "Dennis Manning" <john.m...@comcast.net>
To: <transport-...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Wednesday, January 30, 2008 9:21 PM
Subject: [t-i] Shanghai maglev
How can you consider a single family sized vehicle GRT? Can we agree
that bus-sized (40 to 120) is MASS transit? By your metric any
vehicle that carries more than one person isn't "personal"? What am I
missing? And I NEVER proposed vehicles holding more than 6 people. I
proposed linking them to get around short headway restriction making
the pphd reasonable to mass transit minded people.
F.
http://geocities.com/rhapsodiser/
On Jan 30, 10:50 am, Michael Weidler wrote:
> Frank, what is unfair is you continuing to insist that vehicles designed to hold 6+ people is PRT size. While there is certainly no reason that large vehicles can not be used in a "PRT mode", large vehicles are not PRT sized. If you really want to run in a "GRT mode", why not move four people at a time? You are going to have enough difficulty getting four people going to the same place at the same time.
>
> eph wrote:
>
> I think this is a little unfair. I don't promote GRT, I propose
> replacing MASS transit with (or using the money for MASS transit for)
> PRT-sized vehicles used in a GRT mode as a transition step to full
> PRT. Also, in some cases, having a GRT capability will be invaluable,
> for example, to manage unexpected traffic until a proper solution is
> implemented.
>
> F.http://geocities.com/rhapsodiser/
>
> On Jan 30, 10:06 am, Michael Weidler
> wrote:
>
> > Why do you keep insisting on GRT? The "reason" is exactly the same.
>
> > eph wrote:
>
> > Why does public transit have to mean MASS transit?
>
> > All pictures for the proposal show cattle cars.
>
> > F.
>
My argument (to the mass transit minded) is that in a worst case
scenario, people would board the first vehicle to arrive and it would
stop at all the needed stops just like a BRT or LRT would. It's easy
to see that capacity numbers are comparable in this scenario. I'm
specifically talking about my proposal here ( http://geocities.com/rhapsodiser/
) which replaces an existing busway section (straight line) with a PRT-
type (small vehicle) of system.
I think that once you get past the pphd hurdle, you can start to
realize all the benefits of small vehicles - their flexibility, timely
availability and "personal" nature.
So, by your definitions, I'm proposing a GRT solution for peak hours
using small (less than ~6 people) vehicles and a PRT solution the
rest of the time until a full PRT system can be realized at a later
time.
Availability - ULTra could work, but isn't a complete solution as it
stands. I need the possibility of greater speeds in a (near) future
version to (even consider) selling it. I honestly didn't think there
were so few systems that were ready for prime time. I thought it was
just a question of getting a contract. Something in between is still
missing it seems.
F.
Dennis
I think it has implications as to whether steel wheel high speed or maglev
is a better choice for system proposed from LA to SF.
1) Need to see the details. For the first few years, they were not able to
cover the operating expenses. In fact, far short of it. Now the problems are
fixed and maintenance cost is down, they may be able to do that. However, we
also need to see the length of time, one quarter, one year or more years,
since major maintenance costs may happen in one month. Now they want to
extend the Maglev to a nearby city, and they may produce some positive news.
2) The Shanghai Maglev is a connection between the subway system and the
airport. If there were direct access to the airport by subway, very few
people would use the Maglev. Now you have the choices: taxi, buses, or
subway plus Maglev. Since the subway is fast, reliable, and inexpensive, the
high cost Maglev is a reasonable tradeoff.
3)Most subways in China can cover the operating expenses, at least after a
few years. The imported subway lines from Germany are better off due to
their energy efficiency. Subway is a fast transportation system with average
speeds around 20 to 30 miles per hour. The whole trip speed may be around 15
to 20 miles per hour. In comparison, the average speed for cars and buses is
around 10 miles per hour. The whole trip speed will be less in consideration
of waiting time and the time to go to a station or parking lot. Therefore,
bikes are a very good choice there.
4) When a subway line in China needs subsidy, either the system is very old
or it is a political consideration. If the buses are heavily subsidized,
then you need to give subsidy to the subway too.
Hengning Wu