01 Feb 2008
On Monday 17 December 2007, British Airports Authority (BAA) and business partner Advanced Transport Systems (ATS) held a joint press launch for the Heathrow Personal Rapid Transit (PRT), the first of its kind in the world.
The Heathrow PRT system will consist of a fleet of 18 low energy, battery powered, driverless vehicles. Each vehicle will be capable of carrying four passengers and their luggage, traveling along a dedicated guide way.
Arup's Bristol office has been working with ATS for twelve years on the infrastructure design for the Heathrow scheme, collaborating with Arup's advanced technology & research team in the Midlands Campus and a project management team based in Cardiff.
The 1.5km long world-first PRT system - comprising a principally elevated, twin-guide way - will link a station in the car park adjacent to Terminal 5 with two surface level stations in a perimeter car park. The system is being established by BAA for a 1 year trial. Depending on its success, measured by certain performance criteria, the system will then be rolled out airport-wide.
Already, there is considerable interest in this innovative project, with a number of developers/business enterprises considering implementation of PRT schemes as confidence builds from Heathrow.
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