Critical Review of the Personal Rapid Transit Literature

About 200 personal rapid transit (PRT) writings have been published since 1964, excluding studies and reports that were not widely disseminated. The busiest period of PRT research and publication occurred between 1971 and 1975, when the U.S. government was actively involved. Government support faded by the end of 1974, but a resurgence in research and development occurred during the 1990s, probably as a result of activity in Chicago, Sweden, and Wales. Despite the continued interest in PRT, and a large number of published studies, a number of issues remain unresolved. These include the lack of government funding (in the U.S.) in PRT research and development, only a minimal amount of study on PRT integration into urban design, the risks associated with PRT investment, bad publicity, some technical problems, and competing interests from well-established transport modes. These problems, while not unsolvable, are formidable. Several researchers have offered suggestions that might lead to scaled-down, passenger-friendly PRT systems in favorable environments. To confirm the potential of these suggestions, research is needed in onboard passenger amenities, reliability- and dependability-enhancing technologies, PRT systems theory, freight transport, network size and density analysis, airport applications, and small system development. The PRT literature, typically favorable toward the concept, might be improved by greater introspection and criticism.