1664511 - Personal Rapid Transit – Transforming Mobility, Transforming Communities

Mass transit has a long history of forming and transforming communities throughout the world. The growth of cities, patterns of development, and overall economic impacts have historically, at least in part, been driven by the presence and vitality of transit patterns and usage. While traditional mobility solutions based on rail, bus, or similar technologies remain predominate throughout the world, sustainability, energy efficiency, rising capital, maintenance and operations costs, decreasing ridership and a variety of other issues are of increasing concern and inhibiting creation of new systems and/or expansions in many areas.  Given these issues, there is rising interest in advancing a new generation of Personal Rapid Transit solutions.

This session will focus on the quickly evolving world of Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) and how PRT technologies can solve some of the legacy concerns of traditional transit solutions. Discussions will include a historical perspective of PRTs and the contemporary drivers for the new generation of PRT technology.  Included will be updates on current technology development status as well as information on the advancements of early projects. The panel will also provide insight into the future of PRT technologies and applications and how these approaches can transform both mobility options and help influence community development given their flexibility and ultimate vision.  Panelists will include public sector leaders, PRT technology providers, and infrastructure developers to ensure a wide view of the challenges and opportunities to come from PRT implementation.