PRT can build in Boländerna


The Korean company Vectus has a long term operation of a test track in Rosedalsområdet. Now preparations for a similar track in Boländerna. Photo: Rolf Hamilton

A pilot of a driverless PRT system is planned in the Bolanderna area of southern Uppsala. The city will be am arriving during this spring initiate preparations for route going from the Central Station to Ikea.

Since 2006 the South Korean company Vectus has operated its PRT system on a test track in Rosendalsområdet in Uppsala. The system is building a driverless car seating four, to take travelers direct to their destination, without stopping at another station.

The company is cooperating with Uppsala Public Transport in testing, but the city is not part of financing the test track. Vectus figures that after the activity of the last two years it will receive certification.

According to the city executive board decision, PRT now tests as feasible. The city of Uppsala said procurement experts will initiate a study in Boländerna after Easter.

The study will show where the track will go, how much ticket revenue will be produced, and investment level needed.

Boländerna is being studied for several reasons. Its guideway is steel resting on posts, and the construction does not disrupt the environment in the same manner as examples in the city.

"The risk of the PRT disturbing the environment is judged to be small," said Carl-Johan Engstrom, Uppsala planning director.

Moreover PRT should be a valuable complement for shopping. Although city bus service is in the commercial area in Boländerna today, it can be complicated to use transit because the station can be located far from shopping and one has to carry things a long way.

PRT guideway will run a few meters up in the air, which for example can cross over parking lots, and stations can be built directly into lobbies.

Plans are to build guideway with several loops out in Boländerna that can also be used by those with jobs in the industrial area.

A long-term question of the city is the possibility of reducing car traffic in town by having commuter parking outside the town center with PRT stations.

Result of the study will be the basis of a decision if Uppsala will proceed with the project. The final decision on a future PRT system will be sometime during autumn.

"If all is positive a decision on work on overview planning for 2010, and then pertaining of course to finding project financing. There are many uncertainties here such as legal action," said Engstrom.

With financing the pilot track will be ready for use by about 2012. Then a trial period before a start to expansion to other parts of the city.

Anna Bill-Ylva Porsklev