Driverless podcars to revolutionize urban transport?

Posted Mon Sep 15 2008 3:27 PM by Alex Kaufmann

Futuristic depictions of the 21st century in classic films often showed sprawling metropolises with flying cars, expansive urban development and any of a number of fanciful mass transit systems. The reality of the situation is that our transport systems have evolved to be bigger, faster and stronger versions of the systems of decades past. Even the most advanced supercar today still sits on four wheels, holds a couple of passengers and requires a driver, just as cars did almost a century ago.

But now, a novel solution is being proposed that could revolutionize urban transport, and with the rewards of decreased congestion, improved efficiency and greater environmental friendliness in sight, the world of autonomous personal rapid transport could be around the corner. On the other hand, there are some hurdles yet to be cleared.

The podcar system, as it's known informally, draws its foundations from the advantages of car use, but eliminates the disadvantages of owning and operating a car. The system uses a network of overhead rails snaking through the city atop existing streets and sidewalks with personal podcars whizzing around on them, taking users wherever they desire.

Each individual podcar would sit at predetermined stations littered throughout the city, available on-demand much like a taxi service. But while a taxi can be expensive because it requires capital, fuel and labor, the podcar system would be driverless - instead being guided by a computer and taking passengers to the desired podcar stop. Automation of the system means that costs are drastically reduced, making the system affordable for anyone that could afford other forms of mass urban transport. The system differs from current urban mass transport thanks to its on-demand nature, as well as the relative ubiquity of pod car stations - instead of scattered train stops the podcar would have almost the same accessibility that car usage provides.

According to the L.A. Times, building the podcar system could be up to 12 times cheaper than railway systems and the need for gasoline could be reduced dramatically if the system is run on electricity. At about $25 to $40 million per mile for the first systems, they won't be cheap, but compared to the $100 to $300 million price tags associated with rail and subway systems, it's a bargain.

While the idea may sound like something of a pipe dream, its being taken very seriously by urban planners in major cities. Korean company Vectus is testing a podcar system in Sweden, with ambitions of selling the system to the Swedish government, and the rest of the world eventually. A similar system, called ULTra (pictured), is already being built at Heathrow Airport in London as well.

Reader Comments

Mon Sep 15 2008 6:47 PM
NoNameDenton says

You mean it won't be like Minority Report or I, Robot?
Mon Sep 15 2008 7:27 PM
AMG55 says

"...but eliminates the disadvantages of owning and operating a car." Disadvantages? But I love owning and operating my car!
Mon Sep 15 2008 10:04 PM
www.mywheelsonwalls.com says

AMG- If you wore open toe sandles, had a long beard, and drove a micro bus with 11 other friends of Jesus then you would see the disadvantages!
Mon Sep 15 2008 10:05 PM
Gus says

I see many downides to this setup, but for inner city travel it might make sene.
Tue Sep 16 2008 7:06 AM
Carlosrivi says

Another attempt to give the tree huggers their warm fuzzy thought of the day. We have passed the point of no return on global warming. Scientists know the truth yet when they talk they are governed by what they can/cannot say.
Tue Sep 16 2008 8:37 AM
mlevere1992 says

there is another social aspect to this as well. What happens to subways in large urban citys? vandalism? what is even worse is that people can get into individual cars that they do not own and who knows what poeple would do in them alone.

I am sure that they are not talking about removing all cars from the roads but more for easier, more flexiable public transportation. I am with AMG55, I love owning and operating my car. Owning a car is part of personal expression.
Tue Sep 16 2008 8:43 AM
Jim says

A design proposal from a retired Univ of MN prof exists and model was built for exhibit at the MN State Fair several years ago. Essentially a single rail track is set atop poles, in existing right of ways on heavily traveled routes, with spurs going off into suburban office parks. At transit hubs there would be parking for traditional cars and access to the pod, along the route there would be bus stop like pod stops. Pods would both circulate empty and be parked for dispatch at hubs. If you need a pod and there are none at the stop, hit a button and one will come along.

All in all a pretty elegant solution that I'm sure would have issues if implemented. To AMG55's comment, I love cars and driving also, but there is little pleasure in the stop and go slog along the suburban interstates and arterial highways. Plus the pod gives you the privacy of a car. It would be interesting to see a demonstration project of something like this built.
Tue Sep 16 2008 12:29 PM
Gus says

Yeah, because I want to get in a pod that someone has just thrown up in, or worse...
Tue Sep 16 2008 12:32 PM
Gus says

What do I do then, order another Pod to come along and tell the people waiting in line behind me to wait until I'm satisfied with the cleanliness of my pod?
I hat to say it, but there is an element of society that has nothing but damage in mind unless there is a bus driver or taxi driver to punish them or call the police if they don't stay in line.
Sad, but true.

MotorAuthority