There are currently two types of Personal Rapid Transit or driverless transit cars, PRTs and GRTs. PRTs are for individuals or small groups of six or less. GRTs (Group Rapid Transit) are for accommodating larger city mass transit of maximum 40 people at 4 second intervals, which exceed standard mass transit capacity while at the same time are completely in sync with the Personal Rapid Transit mode to form an ideal level of comfort, convenience and flexibility. Both systems operate on the same PRT driverless network.
As the PRT revolution emerges in the coming decade, automobile culture will begin to be seen for what it is… Simply the most inefficient physical task we do as a civilization. Once the possibility of PRTs begin to be exposed, we begin to bring into question our current lifestyle and redundant daily automobile routines. The task of driving takes our complete focus and attention, jeopardizing the health and safety of us and those around us if our attention strays for seconds. The transportation needs of a truly civilized society will evaluate the complete array of economic, physical and psychological needs in a completely synergistic balance. These requirements will undoubtedly be met through an effective system of optimized Driverless Cars.
Below is a comprehensive list of Pros and Cons for determining the advantages of implementing a PRT system in your city or development.
PROS
Revolutionary transportation CONVENIENCE options for the users of the local public and tourists.
Shorter Walking Distances: Because of the network grid system, stations can be located 1/4 mile or 400 meters walking distances from where you are, making it more convenient for riders to access.
No waiting. Riders do not have to wait for transit cars. The cars wait for the riders by load balancing automatically and transferring cars to the stations as demand changes.
Privacy: Riders have the convenience of the privacy of their own personal PRT car. The option of sharing a PRT or taking the GRT (Group) can offer the option of a lower fare.
Entertainment: Because PRT cars are private, so you can watch the TV station of your choice, or listen to your own radio station. Similarly, the PRT car could offer wifi access to each car where riders could browse the internet on there laptops, iPads or smart phones while riding. Smart technology can be integrated here to remember and continue your listening or watching preferences.
Confidence: Tourists or those that are unfamiliar with the city can know with confidence when they have arrived at their destination without having to constantly monitor the stations they are passing.
No Stops: Riders don’t have to stop at any stops other than there destination. Compared to typical transit systems where the majority of a commute you will be waiting for other riders to get on and off. Take a commute in New York City for example where a subway commute can take as much as 45 minutes to get from up-town to downtown where otherwise should only take about 15 minutes.
No Stress: Driving cars can cause a lot of anxiety and stress for riders. With PRTs riders will never have to sit in traffic or experience stressful driving conditions again. In fact, offering PRTs as an option for routine commutes will enhance the freedom of car commuting for those times when driving is absolutely required.
Local Pride: The advanced high-tech impression of a futuristic PRT system will give its users and local citizens a strong sense of pride in their city and progress towards a more sustainable lifestyle. It will also attract an immense amount of attention from the international community because it will be one of the early adopters of this advanced technology.
Unmonitored transportation: Because the system is private and driverless, the elderly,unmonitored children and disabled riders will be empowered to use the system without safety concerns.
Save Money: Users can enjoy enormous cost savingsthe cost of a car, insurance, car repairs and maintenance, increasing gas costs, oil and other expenses that can average nearly $10,000 per year in developed countries.
24/7 driverless operation: Operable at any time of day or night in almost any weather condition.
HIGH TECH: The potential in technological advancements and high-tech SMART communication applications has infinite possibilities when integrated with PRTs.
SMART Device Integration: Completely synchronized with smart phones and bluetooth devices, it can schedule trips remotely and know when you are at the transit car to assure you are the right person for the car.
Intelligent: SMART predictive intelligence can know where you are planning on going based on trip history and time of day or know what Pandora radio station you were listening to when you got off the last time. For example, the system can know you are heading home because it is your usual station after work and the time is the same as when you usually go home (among other intelligent factors).
OPERATION: The efficiency model of a computer optimized network is unmatched in any transportation system that exists in the world today and will always provide the best possible time saving outcome for it’s users and operators.
Reliable: With such small light vehicles, operational breakdowns have less of an impact on the overall system.
Optimization: As higher demand creates congestion, the system optimization can reroute the driverless cars around to less used network loops.
Predictive Growth: Congestion spots in the system can clearly indicate ideal PRT track expansion opportunities and create projections so tracks are added prior to reaching peak demand as growth occurs.
Independent Switch Gears: Track switching mechanisms are located on each PRT car reducing the potential for breakdowns affecting the system as a whole and isolating it to individual PRT cars which can be easily removed from the system by being pushed from any PRT car following it and be quickly repaired.
GRTs: Group Driverless Cars can be implemented on standard PRT tracks that carry as many as 40 people per unit, with a 2-3 second interval.
SAFETY: Because PRTs operate on a completely isolated system from street traffic it experiences several benefits.
No Fatalities: The West virginia PRT has been operating since 1975 and even though the technology is decades behind where we are now, it has had no fatalities in it’s long 35 year history. A dramatic difference from the huge number of deaths and injuries from auto accidents that happen every day (37,261 US fatalities per year – US Census 2011).
No Accidents: This means savings of insurance, and repair cost in addition to safety (10.2 mill US accidents per year – US Census 2011).
Safety Monitoring: The system can be easily monitored for public safety concerns.
Smooth Breakdown Management: In the event that one car breaks down, the car following it can be activated to tow it into the next station for repairs with minimal inconvenience to the riders for continuous operation.
Weather Conditions: PRTs have been tested to operate in some of the most extreme weather conditions including rain, snow and ice without any problems. With weather patterns getting more and more extreme in recent years, PRTs are even more of a necessity.
ADAPTABILITY: Business potential for expansion and privatizing
Advertisements: Digitized media displays within each car and at the stations will provide a huge potential for marketing revenue and ads that can be targeted towards specific user characteristics. Currently no targeted marketing opportunities exist today that can offer this level user based customization including destination, age demographic, time of day, etc.
Private Integration: Because of it’s low cost relative to standard transportation, private developers can find it more feasible to integrate into the system and expand on it in order to provide direct transit connections to their development, ultimately raising their land value.
Flexible: Because the system cars are so small and light, the tracks can have much smaller turning radius’ than standard public transportation, allowing PRT cars to be integrated into buildings and even be elevated quickly to access upper floor lobbies within buildings. Access to these upper level building entrances can be filtered based on security authorization.
Private Sponsorship: To reduce the upfront costs, segments of the guideway tracks and individual cars can be developed by private companies. For example Audi, Mercedes, BMW or Toyota could develop their own portion of the track to sponsor their company.
Private Party Integration: Because the cost of a PRTs are comparable to regular automobiles they can be purchased by individuals and connected into residential estates or condominiums. This would allow select riders to have cars that are dedicated exclusively to them.
Expandability: Because of the nature of the PRT network, the system can be expanded and added onto as growth occurs from any point in the network.
Large Volume Stations: In order for stations to handle larger volumes of passengers, the platforms can simply be extended to handle more PRT cars for large crowds of people at museums, stadiums or large event gatherings.
Environmental Impact: Large scale residential and community developments can be required to expand the system as they would be required to provide car access.
Remove Trucks from Roads: Remove oversized cargo trucks from roads and promote localized delivery hubs.
Cargo Transit: Freight companies such as FedEX, UPS and the postal service can pay a service fee to utilize the system consolidating their transit hubs to localized districts that can deliver goods by short distance electric vehicles or walkable mail delivery routes.
New Service Jobs: New localized jobs can be created to service these hubs.
Environmental Innovation: The elevated track infrastructure can be utilized for solar Photovoltaic panels or compact vertical wind turbines to generate electricity and provide shade to the areas directly below the tracks. This also gives an impression of a futuristic city and will help to brand the identity of the city as a whole.
COST SAVINGS: Both Long-term and Short-term.
Lower Construction Cost: PRT driverless systems can cost as little as 1/10 subways construction and in some cases, as little as 1/30. PRT construction costs average between $10-20 million/mile* depending on several factors such as elevated or on grade systems. Underground subways can cost well beyond $450 million/mile*. In addition, estimates for Light rail are in the range of over $100 million/mile*, still much higher than PRTs. PRT estimates includes the cost of vehicles where the subways and light rail estimates do not include the costs of trains. *all costs are estimated in USD
Cost Offsets: These direct costs do not even factor in the potentially dramatic increase in usability and demand from the system’s ease of use and conveniences. In addition the potential and flexibility for never ending expanding loops continuously being attached onto the system offer the option for incrementally constructing the system in pieces rather than as a whole.
More Access Hubs: Because of the lower construction cost, for the same amount of initial investment, the network can cover a much broader area.
No Operator Costs: The most expensive operational expense in any transit system is ultimately the operational, maintenance staff and drivers. Because PRTs are driverless, there is a huge potential long term cost savings from a computer optimized driverless system.
Low Energy Consumption: Lower electrical usage because of smaller more efficient vehicles.
Efficient Operation: PRTs do not have operator costs or use electricity unless there is user demand. This is compared to subways which at off hours can have nobody riding but still have operators and use power for the entire train.
Lower Fare Costs: With PRTs the savings will be passed on to the users and ultimately create higher demand as a result. The lower the cost, the more it will mobilize the population and thus stimulate growth.
CONSTRUCTION
Reduced Planning Time: Less planning and effort has to go into the initial phases of a transit systems planning. Finding the ideal route for integrating a mass transit line becomes less important when a grid network will ultimately access all areas of a city development with 1/4 mile walking distances.
Immediate Implementation: Immediately on completion of the first loop the system can be put into use. As loops are continuously added, those loops can immediately be activated. In contrast to a metro system which needs to be substantially complete before the system can be operational.
Reduced Construction Period: The implementation can be optimized with standardized prefabrication for reduced construction time.
CONS
The systems full advantages are experienced once there is a substantial portion of the network built and in operation. Although this will probably not take as long as a comparable standard subway or light rail transportation systems.
Elevated PRT tracks are considered by some to have a negative visual impact. Although the size of these tracks are very small compared to typical elevated transportation infrastructure or even compared to the typical streets themselves. Tracks can be roughly as small as 500mm diameter tubes structures or be placed under ground where needed.
Specifically in the US, the automobile industry provides a large amount of jobs. Once a PRT system is recognized for it’s efficiencies, jobs may be lost in the automobile and fuel sector. Although automobiles are currently the best means of population transportation flexibility, they are one of the most inefficient transportation systems that exists today and is long overdue for an overhaul. The bottom line is that with fuel, and environmental concerns, cars are just not sustainable.
Cities are complicated… Really complicated. Specific user interests, different scaled streets, activities and events happening throughout the year, transportation networks and infrastructure systems criss-crossing each-other, financing, etc. PRTs are so different than what we are familiar with, How would we get a PRT network started?
The answers is through expanding nodes that continually grow outwards until their webs touch and the networks become a part of a whole.
Start by implementing nodes of transit in areas where pedestrian communities (that can use the network) are already in place and then expand outwards until they eventually connect. This can be applied to any car oriented city, but as an example for Los Angeles, start in small pedestrian communities like Santa Monica, Ventura Blvd, Larchmont, downtown LA, Redondo Beach, Long Beach, etc. As resources become more available and public support and lifestyles change in those communities, the lines will grow through user support and ultimately connect to one another.
There is a huge benefit in localized transportation for communities to simply get around their neighborhoods and run common errands. The desire to connect the entire network from the beginning is overrated and will come soon down the line as popularity in the system grows. The important thing is that people begin to realize the benefits of public transportation by concentrating our efforts in highly pedestrianized localities. Once we have working successful examples, the word will spread quickly because people will see the advantages and demand change for a better life.
PRTs are most effective when there is a complete network, but we need to begin somewhere. These activated pedestrian oriented nodes are where these nodes should originate from.
A major advantage of PRTs is that they are infinitely scalable and adaptable. As one small loop of the web is built, it immediately can be put into operation. The whole system doesn’t need to be complete.
Due to the low cost of PRTs, this can be gradually accomplished for less money than it currently costs our cities to simply expand and repair our roads from potholes or pointless road widening projects. Our roads are already at peak capacity, how much more expansion can we do before we have to resort to another method? PRTs will happen eventually, so why not take charge of it now and start living a safer, more convenient healthier life now.
Do you like the freedom of driving in your car like so many people do? So why would you be interested in PRTs?….
What are PRTs?… PRTs stands for Personal Rapid Transit and they are the most advanced public transportation system that exists today. It is the most convenient for it’s users; adaptable to the existing city and infrastructure due to it’s compact size; least expensive to implement, maintain and operate; fastest and most flexible to build; and has the most potential for environmental sustainability. The technology is almost too good to be true, but it’s available today.
So where was I? …
Most of the time I drive from home to work and then back again. Usually during these typical routine trips are when I experience the worst traffic along with everyone else, and probably you too! Although I love the freedom to jump in my car and bolt across town to eat at one of my favorite restaurants or drive up to SF for the weekend, I would much rather let someone else do the driving during workdays and pay for the gas, insurance, stress and maintenance while I enjoy the ride.
If you have a typical job like most of us, you probably agree. Imagine if 50% of the car commuters out there in the cities did this… There wouldn’t be any traffic! But I still wouldn’t take my car. That’s how convenient public transportation CAN be once you understand the potential and convenience.
…Think of a commuting (transportation) system that has all the conveniences of a car as well as the benefits of public transportation in one. Cars have the capacity for a private personalized transportation environment with the freedom to travel to any destination, while public transit systems have the benefits of a safe stress free, effortless commute while you can focus on other tasks such as reading a book, newspaper, internet, talking on the phone or watching some TV …and all without having to pay for insurance, gas, repairs or the car itself. Combining the benefits of both cars and transit is inevitable progress and a paradigm that we have not often seen in operation. The technology has arrived and is ready to go in the form of PRTs.
PRT = Personal Rapid Transit (Pod Cars)
Since a picture is worth a thousand words, the best way to introduce you to PRTs is to see this video. At 30 frames per second, this video is worth 30 x 1,000 each second, or 1.8 million words each minute (That’s a lot of words!), so check it out.
You can check out more on the Vectus website here http://www.vectusprt.com, although there are other companies out there like UltraPRT and Skyweb Express also called Taxi2000. At present the Vectus system appears to be the most developed system even though UltraPRT is already implemented in the Heathrow airport. My personal understanding of UltraPRT is that they use batteries to operate which from a sustainability perspective is not ideal.
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7 KEY REASONS WHY YOU’LL SEE PRTs IN YOUR FUTURE…
The CONSTRUCTION of a primary portion of the transit system can take place over a very short time (< 3 year), as compared to the 5 to 10 for planning and construction of subways or light rails. Do not underestimate the importance of the speed of implementation, with gas prices targeted to continually increase over the coming years.
The FLEXIBILITY of the system to continually grow and extend into places that light rails and subways could never go. We can start building primary lines, targeting the most users right from the beginning, then extending to all areas based on demand as the system continually expands. A major advantage of the system due to the reduced cost is to extend one way looped lines into smaller neighborhoods which reduce the walking distances for the elderly and disabled users. This is ideal compared to the traditional transit park-and-ride locations or supplemental lines to connect up to main mass transit routes.
Get the diesel pollutant, traffic congesting, dangerous trucks off our roads! The ADAPTABILITY of the system to accommodate transportation of goods during off peak hours for localized delivery services that could also be partially paid for by couriers like UPS, Fedex, USPS, etc. is another major benefit. Imagine the trucks that could be replaced and new businesses and jobs that could be created with localized neighborhood electric transporter cars that only have to travel a few blocks.
The COST of getting a PRT system up and running is just a fraction of the cost of light rail or subways. Compare as much as $450 Million per mile for construction of subways in LA to a conservative estimate of $14.5 Million per mile for PRTs, which means you can cover a much larger expanse. Because the price is more achievable, private developers can pay for extending the system into their projects at no cost to the tax payers. PRT stations could be sponsored by developers or the private sector, like Mercedes, Audi, BMW, Toyota, etc. paying a premium for a Mercedes pod with high tech stereo, interiors, video playback, etc. The system would automatically return those pod cars back to their stations automatically. The economic incentives and opportunities are clearly diverse.
All the personal CONVENIENCES of PRTs… You get your own private car where you could listen to the radio, watch tv, use WiFi internet access, or just read… all by yourself during your commute. Direct station-to-station commute without ever stopping along the way. Compare this to NYC successful subway system, where the majority of the time in transit you are waiting for other people to get on and off the trains. Imagine if your pod car was always an Express line directly to your stop. No accidents and expensive insurance or car payments. More frequent and closer stops to your destinations.
The EFFICIENCY of having an light unmanned pod car that is such a small fraction of the weight of a light rail train or monorail requires less energy to move and much thinner and lighter structures to elevate, which also have less of a visual impact on the environment. Think about how a similar light rail, subway or monorail travels at a minimum of 5 minute intervals , where a PRT system can have pod cars running at 2-3 second gaps one right after the other. It is clear to see which would use the track more efficiently?
HIGH TECH & ENVIRONMENTAL appearance of the PRT system that will attract attention from all over the world. The PRT track can be retrofitted with solar and wind electricity generating devices. If funding isn’t completely available yet, have a plan in place for local businesses to lease portions of the elevated track to purchase solar panel arrays to enhance the neighborhoods sustainability and give communities more of reason to support the system.
This technology is a no brainer, the flexibility and ease of implementation will allow a minimal investment to test the system out and once that happens, the city that begins this global trend will be seen as a leader towards environmental progress.
I personally think this is the solution to many of our national challenges that we face today, including our dependence on oil, cost of our continuously more valuable time spent in traffic, stress of driving and the secondary effects on our social and family life, cost of gas which inevitably will go back up to above $4 / gallon, fatalities from traffic accidents, and many more.
As a visionary urban designer, I hope that others have the insight to see the massive benefits of PRTs for our environment, way of life and our economy.
Okay! Great New Idea here (maybe something Obama can get done?) …
Lately it seems that President Obama is having a really hard time getting Congress to pass reform bills which will benefit the American People… relating to Health Care, Lobbyists, Corporations, Government, etc. Obviously our form of Government seems to be a big failure for it’s citizens at this point, although Corporations and people in power would probably tend to argue with me : )
I want to propose a new idea that will accomplish what the government can’t seem to be getting done, but that over time will achieve the same goals. Create an independent division to establish and oversee guideline certification for Social & Ecological Responsibilities of corporations. Their seal will tell customers that they uphold these beliefs and responsibilities. There should be not more than 10 main guidelines that people can become familiar with so that they can make informed choices about who they bank with, which stores they buy products and services from, etc. With national and international recognition, even minor influences in consumer choices will bring such fear to the corporations that I believe you will see change happen quicker than you can imagine. But obviously the publicity and recognition is critical for this movement. In seeing the recent efforts to help the people of Haiti by so many influential people coming together, I’m sure it is possible …and only with a fraction of the support.
Corporate Guidelines for Social & Ecological Responsibility
This will basically be a certification and business seal that can be awarded to companies for doing the right thing socially and ecologically! Currently there are some of these companies out there, but they don’t often get recognition as compared to those who are not making the effort. We need to support the companies that support our country, the environment and our future and not their investors profits. This is especially true since exerting this extra effort does not always come free.
To give you an better idea of what I am talking about some suggestions for the Guidelines follow:
Will the company take a pledge to make their stock shares and profits secondary to the prosperity of their employees, local communities and the environment.
Do the company’s highest paid executives make less than 10 times (Exact factor TBD) the lowest paid employee and contracted workers in the company?
Is the company providing a percentage (5% for example, TBD) of their profits to local communities and programs.
Are the company’s executives covered under the same benefits as the lowest paid employees.
Is the company’s carbon emission and energy consumption below a certain limit for their production (TBD).
In addition, are they doing everything in their power to reduce Co2 emissions and energy consumption (regardless of costs or loss to profit).
If the company imports goods and services from international countries, are those goods certified by organizations that oversee international environmental and humane standards.
Does the company agree to not support lobbyist and to not make contributions to individual political parties not exceeding certain limits (TBD).
Does the company provide incentives to employees who live within a limited distance from their offices to reduce commute times thus offering alternative commute options, such as bicycle, walking or alternative transportation like Personal Rapid Transit (PRTStrategies.com). This would get people out of their cars and reduce stress, traffic, pollution, fatalities & injuries and allow people to enjoy a more healthy lifestyle.
These are some initial ideas for the guidelines. Obviously things that individuals want to be enacted, but corporate interests are preventing from letting through.
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Does anyone else have any other ideas? Post them here and I can include them in the list.
I would like to know your position on the new Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) public transportation systems that have been raising a lot of discussion lately. London was the first city to utilize subways and now they are starting to implement PRT into their airport network among other cities around the world. I have looked into them on the website http://prtstrategies.com and they have some amazing advantages.
I have found the top reasons why our state would be interested in them.
1. Create an entire new industry based around localized distribution hubs for potentially thousands of neighborhoods. Whether this would be FedEx/UPS/USPS hubs or independently operated, they can find better use for electrically driven short range compact cars.
2. There cost is almost 1/30 the cost of subways and can be erected much faster than subway construction. This is due to their extremely light dead load and the need for only one way loops. The most recent Fee proposal that I am aware of came in at $14.5 Million / mile where subways in Los Angeles are estimated at $450 Million / mile.
3. No operator or user error that can cause damage or injury because the entire system is computer optimized which can also allow it to run 24 hours a day. In off-peak hours it can be used for silent, emission-free cargo system to minimize the need for truck transport within the city. When this becomes mainstream it could ultimately eliminate the need for car expenses and insurance all together for those who use it.
4. Probably the most critical factor of all is the usability by the public. This will cause the system to explode in demand as soon as the system begins to be utilized. For one the ease of use and operation by simply entering your destination and not having to stop until your destination or share your transporter pod with strangers would open up the opportunity for many elderly and wealthier class of public transportation riders.
5. As a implementation incentive the system could easily be supported by third party investment by car companies because the technology and mechanisms are so simple to create. Audi/Mercedes/BMW/etc./etc. could sponsor their own stations that would have dedicated cars that could automatically return back to their network of compact stations. In addition, private investors, such as Malls and high density housing developments could now afford to incorporate the network into their projects because the cost is so much more attainable than a cost prohibitive subway system. This is without mentioning the flexibility of the system to take very sharp turns and rise up into multi level buildings to provide second or third level integrated stations for office buildings or public events like concerts or sport games.
6. Alternatives implementation which could brand the system as a futuristic green city would be to put solar panels on the elevated tracks simultaneously with miniature wind turbines by our local http://pacwind.net.
I am sure our state would want to be the first to implement this new technology and lead the country and the world in the direction we are all dreaming about. Although there are several cities around the world that have already begun to invest into this technology such as Heathrow Airport in London, Sweden and the Masdar Eco City in the UAE, we area long way from improving our way of life and making PRTs the standard.
This technology is a no brainer, the flexibility and ease of implementation will allow a minimal investment to test the system out and once that happens, the city that begins this global trend will be seen as a leader towards environmental progress.
I personally think this is the solution to many of our national challenges that we face today, including our dependence on oil, cost of our continuously more valuable time spent in traffic, stress of driving and the secondary effects on our social and family life, cost of gas which inevitably will go back up to above $4 / gallon, fatalities from traffic accidents, and many more.
I am not affiliated with the company PRT Strategies, but they seem to be one of the most comprehensive and knowledgeable sources on PRT systems and will provide free presentations at your request.
Regards,
Edward Anastas
Urban and Architectural Design
R204 DESIGN
I previously sent a suggestion to Los Angeles’ city transportation department, but as most government employment systems go… there was not much response to the idea.
I think the suggestion that I have come up with over the years of driving in LA is a similar solution that is achievable in a more reasonable time frame. It produces the same effect as an “Adaptive Cruise Control” system but without the need for retrofitting all cars with the technology. In fact since I first envisioned the idea it has been implemented around Lancaster California (for weather safety reasons), around Washington DC and I’m sure in other areas. It essentially turns each individual into “adaptive cruise controllers”, but requires a strict enforcement system (photo enforced speed sensors for example) to become effective.
The idea is to add “Variable Speed Limit Signs” throughout the inner urban freeway systems. What it will do from a technical point of view, is monitor the average traffic speed on the freeway within a certain span of freeway before and after the “Variable Speed Limit Sign” (approximately 3-10 miles). After sensors in the road (or other methods of speed sensing such as video motion detection) determine the average traffic speed. An average speed will be displayed on the “Variable Speed Limit Sign” which becomes the new speed limit (legally enforced). This will prevent the stop and go redundancy in freeway traffic which waists gas and increases traffic and driver stress, among other things mentioned in the article.
In order to implement this system, a strict regulation on the variable speed limits would need to be enforced. If the variable speed limits cannot be enforced, obviously the system cannot be effective. One advantage to this system is that it does not require a great deal of engineering of new freeway systems, it just makes the current system more efficient.
This system will not solve the Freeway Traffic problems entirely (that’s what removing corrupt lobbied politicians and adding public transportation is for!), but it will definitely make the current and future systems run more smoothly.
