PRT - Hermes
Various issues
Why are you so hostile against Mass transit?
How will we move around with Hermes?
Will people trust an automated vehicle?
What if the vehicle is dirty or problematic in some way?
Why are you so hostile against Mass transit?
It's no hostility of course. I just try to express the truth as I see it:
We all know the advantages of the car.
We also know its problems: Parking , congestion , pollution , noise , accidents.
We've been told about that and see for ourselves every day.
However it is heard lately that the salvation lies in mass transit and specially in light rail... This is not just a lie. It's a huge LIE!
Mass transit ensures that no matter how much people want to move we will eventually reach our destination.
They have the capacity to do so.We are told that , we know that , it is the truth.
At the same time however mass transit makes sure that our average origin to destination speed will be disappointing : 10-15km/hour
They *fail* to mention that , implying that with the right "tuning" (e.g. exclusive busways,light rail , "proper" organization)
mass transit will improve dramatically. That will never happen.
No sane man will leave his car unless congestion reach outrageously high levels...
For those who believe that we are close to that I've got bad news: Athens is not the capital of congestion ,
foreign big cities have bigger problems , and according to all evidence we'll follow their path.
Ladies and gentlemen , the worse are yet to come...
Given these conditions policy makers should be searching frantically for new ideas and solutions: What the heck! technology has made giant leaps and we still use 19th century technology (mass transit exists since 19th century and basically works the same way all this time). Alas! The illusion that "mass transit is really close to provide a real solution " deprives any innovative ideas the funding and research effort they despearately need.
How will we move around with Hermes?
Today commuting is a rather complicated task: There are many roads and even more intersections . Many transit lines with multiple transfer stations. Unless you've done a trip 2-3 times , you must spend a considerable amount of time studying your route on the map.
On the other and you don't have similar issues when you call somebody on the phone. You dial the number , and no matter where the other phone is , the network provides you a connection.
This will be the case with PRT too:
You dial the destination code and the vehicle makes sure you get there. At the destination station there will be
a map of the local area (1km X 1km) so that you will know exactly where to go from there on.
If you don't find that useful ,think of those who come to Athens rarely , or the tourists.
If one can use a public phone , he 'll be able to use Hermes too.
Every person will have a contacless card (rfid : radio frequency ID). He 'll buy it and will be able to charge it with money (coins) at the stations.
A contactless card reader , with a keyboard will be at the ground level of each station. He'll type in the destination.If everything is ok (card has enough money , no congestion at the destination) he'll climp the stairs to get to the platform. Another reader will be located in front of each waiting vehicle. By bringing the card close to the reader , the vehicle will open its door. After embarkation , he'll press the "GO" button in the vehicle.The door will close and the trip will begin immediately.
Will people trust an automated vehicle?
The elevator is automated too. We trust it everyday. PRT/Hermes is essentially a horizontal elevator.
Besides , around the world , there are various automated transit systems (they move on exclusive guideways of course): They are either elevated or underground.
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Automated People Mover (APM) |
What if the vehicle is dirty or problematic in some way?
As soon as we get access to a vehicle with our card , a "reject" button will activate , giving us the right to reject the vehicle if we want to. The vehicle will go straight for maintenance/cleaning.
