Abstract:
Automated-guideway transit (AGT) is a class of transit systems characterized by fleets of driverless transit vehicles operating under computer control on exclusive rights-of-way above, at, or below ground level. AGT systems, in general, can perform all of the operating functions of conventional, fixed-guideway transit systems, ranging from simple shuttles through collection and distribution to urban and commuter line-haul systems, including complex networks. AGT transit systems represent a fundamental change in the operational capabilities of transit systems, resulting in significantly improved service levels with simultaneous improvements in productivity when compared with conventional transit. Two of the most significant urban deployments of AGT are in North America and Europe: the SkyTrain system in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, and the VAL system in Lille, France. Their first years of operating performance are compared with those of other contemporary but conventional fixed-guideway systems. The conclusions drawn are that, in certain applications, AGT is more than competitive with conventional transit and that, under certain conditions, AGT systems can return sufficient revenues to match and even exceed their total operating and maintenance costs at acceptable fare levels.
Supplemental Notes:
This paper appears in Transportation Research Board Special Report No. 221, Light Rail Transit: New System Successes at Affordable Prices - Papers presented at the National Conference on Light Rail Transit, May 8-11, 1988, San Jose, California, Conducted by the Transportation Research Board. Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved
