Advantages of Autran System over Roadways

An important advantage of the Autran system is that it can be used for the automated transport of passengers as well as for the automated transport of autos. Even if initially constructed for use only for the automated transport of autos, the fact that the passenger-carrying capacity might be added later can be very important, especially considering that the system might eventually be expanded into a nation-wide network.

However, an Autran system used only for carrying of autos would have a number of important advantages over conventional roadways of the same carrying capacity, as follows:

• Avoiding the deaths, injuries and property damage that result during normal traffic on roadways.
• Increasing speed of travel.
• Avoiding the stress and aggravation of driving.
• Reduced noise.
• Reduced petroleum consumption.
• Reduced pollution.
• Avoiding tire disposal problems.
• Increasing the range of Evs.
• Capital cost savings of as much as 37% per lane mile for the same vehicle capacity, possibly much more.

For freeways, the nationwide average costs have been reported to be $4.5 M per lane mile and the capacity has been reported to be only 2000 per lane mile per hour at 40 MPH and even less at higher speeds. Thus the average capital cost per lane mile per vehicle per hour for freeways might be $2250, possibly higher. By comparison, the capital cost per guideway mile per vehicle per hour is estimated to be only $1400 for theAutran system. In particular, financial analyses show capital cost estimates for Autran guideways of $3.75 M per mile for a 10 mile auto-only system, $4.5 M for a 10 mile combined auto- passenger system and $5.03 M per lane mile for a 100 mile combined auto-passenger system. (The higher 100 mile system estimate is due to longer branch line guideways that are required to handle a higher assumed speed of 100 MPH). Using the highest figure of $5.03 M and assuming a capacity of 3600 vehicles per hour, the capital cost per lane mile per vehicle per hour is about $1400. Thus the savings in capital costs from using the Autran system instead of conventional roadways could be 37%. It could be much more, especially when considering construction of new roadways or highway lanes in congested areas. Acquiring the required rights-of-way could be very expensive and when considering that construction of elevated guideways of the Autran system might easily be done along existing rights-of-way or otherwise involve low costs for rights-of-way.

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