STATION CARS: TOWARDS A DUAL MODE PRT (PERSONAL RAPID TRANSIT)

The concept of station cars or individual public transport is now gaining recognition in several countries, thanks to the development of reliable electric vehicles. Several experiments are in preparation with electric cars from various manufacturers. However, to implement such a system, a novel type of electric vehicle is needed which can solve the problem of moving empty vehicles. To do this efficiently, the vehicle has to move by itself and hence use robotic techniques. This paper presents such a vehicle with its robotic techniques which is being developed in France. This research program is being done in cooperation with industry and public transit operators. Its aim is to develop a complement to public transport which would provide a better alternative to the use of private automobiles in urban areas with respect to congestion, pollution and ease of use. The prototype vehicle is now under development after successful testing of the robotics technology on existing cars. Real size experiments are in the planning stage with potential application in 1997.