bucy wrote:

In 2003, Ford Research proposed a dual-mode system called PRISM. It would use public guideways with privately-purchased but certified dual-mode vehicles. The vehicles would weigh less than 600 kg (1200 lb), allowing small elevated guideways that could use centralized computer controls and power.

(from Wikipedia PRT article)

Too bad noone has the vision to build something like this out.

Hm, it's interesting, but I have extremely mixed feelings about PRT, in general. I'm not down on it, i just haven't made up my mind about it. As a rule, I don't really like the idea of maintaining reliance on roads, but at the same time, I suppose there's something to be said for bridging the gap between today's ALL car-based system and a majority train-based system. Largely i just don't see people, Americans in particular, being convinced that small, tandem oriented cars that all look the same are valid. They already know that commuting solo in their giant vehicle is inefficient, they just don't care. Overcoming that latter issue is the difficulty, otherwise we'd have alternatives right now.

RE: PRISMGPCPaper.pdf (application/pdf Object)