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Two Big Tests For Personal Rapid Transportation

Posted by timothy on from the as-long-as-you-stay-near-a-charging-point dept.

Al writes "A novel kind of transit system, in which cars are replaced by a network of automated electric vehicles, is about to get its first large-scale testing and deployment. Two of these Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) systems are being installed this year, one at Heathrow International Airport, near London, and one in the United Arab Emirates, where it will be the primary source of transportation in Masdar City, a development that will eventually accommodate 50,000 people and 1,500 businesses and is designed to emit no carbon dioxide. The article examines these two systems and includes video that includes an animation of the PRT system in action."

11 of 299 comments (clear)

  1. This will revolutionize transportation... by oodaloop · · Score: 5, Funny

    just like the Segway did!

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    Tic-Tac-Toe, Global Thermonuclear War, and relationships all have the same winning move.
    1. Re:This will revolutionize transportation... by Endo13 · · Score: 1, Funny

      Mall cops use Segways you insensitive clod!

      (The funny thing is, they really DO, around here.)

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      There is no -1 Disagree mod. Slashdot.org/faq defines mod options. USE IT.
    2. Re:This will revolutionize transportation... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

      ...just like the Segway did!

      Nice segue.

    3. Re:This will revolutionize transportation... by Locke2005 · · Score: 4, Funny

      As a big plus, hacking the automated navigation on these will also revolutionize the kidnapping industry!

      --
      I've abandoned my search for truth; now I'm just looking for some useful delusions.
  2. Heathrow by lelitsch · · Score: 4, Funny

    Oh the delicious irony of using "Heathrow" and "rapid transit" in the same sentence.

    1. Re:Heathrow by drsquare · · Score: 4, Funny

      You'd be surprised how rapidly your baggage ends up 5,000 miles away from your destination.

  3. where's mr. pointy? by girlintraining · · Score: 4, Funny

    So an entire community that emits no carbon dioxide. What are the inhabitants, vampires? Zombies? Undead "not otherwise specified"? This "green movement" is getting out of control when we turn to the dark powers.

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  4. Re:In my day, we called these cars by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    his username is like a car

  5. Re:What is really wrong with trains? by gnick · · Score: 2, Funny

    As for theft, there is no ability to steal the car. It's connected to a grid, with no means of driving it off the grid. It has no use outside the grid, making it pointless to steal.

    You just summed up the single failing point of the Great Bumper Car Heist of '97 that I organized... Man, did we have a tough time explaining that one to the cops.

    --
    He's getting rather old, but he's a good mouse.
  6. Re:What is really wrong with trains? by russotto · · Score: 3, Funny

    Does IP do anything that Tokenring doesn't?

    Comparing a network layer protocol to a physical and data link layer one? That's good for a 6-month suspension of your geek card... turn it in, right now.

  7. Re:What is really wrong with trains? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    No, it's because she has a can of mace.