Public transit in the coming future could look very different from today’s. Starting in 2008, Advanced Transport Systems will be whisking passengers between Heathrow’s new Terminal 5 and a parking lot a mile away in tiny driver-less vehicles.
Known as ULTra system these pods are an innovative form of PRT (Personal Rapid Transit). The electrically powered pod cab resembles a small car with two fronts and sliding doors. Allowing users to key in their destination and be carried there automatically along special roadways at speeds of up to 25mph, these are designed to take four passengers along with their luggage and arrive within five minutes of passengers having pressed the call button.
The PRT is already being built and has completed trials. The pods are seen as more economical, more environmentally friendly and less prone to being stuck in traffic than existing transport inside the airport.
Source: USA Today
