Urban Mobility 2011 | September 22, 2011 | 6 comments

Personal Rapid Transit vs. The Monorail

If you have ever been to Disney then you know about its famous monorail system. But did you also know that the Disney monorail was the first daily operating monorail in the Western hemisphere, or that it carries some 50 million passengers per year? Other monorails have made an equally impressive impact, including the Tokyo monorail, which averages 127,000 passengers a day. With such proven results in moving large numbers of people, why are monorails only largely designated to shuttle services between airports and hotels?

(Photo credit: Getty Images)

The monorail, like the PRT, has had a difficult time getting the green light for developing new and more complex systems. Primary resistance has come from local government agencies deeming monorails a high-risk investment. A major disadvantage for the monorail system is its incompatibility with other types of rail infrastructure, which would make service on mainline (train) tracks impossible. This means an entirely new system would have to be installed, which would be both costly and time-consuming. There are several advantages however, of these systems – mainly that they require less space both horizontally and vertically than conventional railways. Monorails also have a smaller footprint and are seen as a more attractive alternative to traditional railways, they are quieter and safer as they are incapable of derailing.

Personal Rapid Transit systems, like the ones featured in this week’s video segment are similarly attractive as monorail systems in terms of public transportation services. Their quiet ride, safety and low environmental impact make them an ideal solution for mass transit. However, as with the monorails, they also face tough opposition from groups citing lack of research into urban integration and access considerations on elevated tracks.

If you could choose a new type of public transportation for your city, what would it be?

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6 comments // Personal Rapid Transit vs. The Monorail

  • bmdesign
    • 0
      bmdesign  

    • I was surprised to find such a balanced response from you, Avidor. Thanks! :)

      The concerns raised in the above entry (and I do dislike must-view ads - just for the record!). Heh - only to find "This video is no longer available"!

      How about fixing this site, and then the transport world. :D

    • 6 months ago
  • Avidor
  • Avidor
    • 0
      Avidor  
    • Image

    • Dominic, the PRT guys are already dampening expectations, admitting that building in cities is far more complicated (and expensive) than building in airport parking lots:

      http://bit.ly/ogJaGM

      ... and there's a nasty little political battle going in Richmond, CA involving a PRT-like monorail concept called "Cybertran":

      http://bit.ly/oQwJ1C

      The Current needs to stop promoting "gadgetbahn" and instead educate people about reality-based transit solutions - they work really good, come to my city Minneapolis and I'll show you.

    • 8 months ago
  • DominicBlackwellCooper
  • WiselinePRT
    • +1
      WiselinePRT  

    • Monorail vs. PRT is really a false choice, we should be open to considering all modes. You've documented the overseas viability of monorail; we have to ask what aspects of monorail has hurt its viability in the US. There isn't only going to be a single answer, but the big one as it pertains to public transit will be Funding. High cost per mile systems takes resources, local jurisdictions are going to be reluctant to commit to two different train technologies when it is hard enough to get funding for one.

      Monorail is not significantly cheaper, the unrealized Green Line project in Seattle ended up being budgeted in the same ballpark as light rail.

      Also, a large elevated mode raises aesthetic issues in an urban environment. This is less of a consideration in applications such as theme parks and airports.

    • 8 months ago
  • DominicBlackwellCooper
    • +1
      DominicBlackwellCooper  
    • WiselinePRT:

      We weren't trying to pit the monorail against PRT, but to however show that both face opposition due to them being "unproven technologies." There are so many forms of alternative transportation out there that have faced the chopping block for any number of reason, we just want to hear from our audience which ones they think should have a fair chance at becoming a reality.

    • 8 months ago
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