Operation Of Automated Guideway Transit Vehicles In Dynamically Reconfigured Trains And Platoons Extended Summary PDF Download

This study shows that the passenger capacity of AGT systems may be significantly increased by operating vehicles in dynamically reconfigured trains or platoons. It is estimated that a minimum lane capacity of 5,000 to 10,000 passengers per hour is needed to make single-party AGT economically competitive with buses and that this capacity requires the use of trains. Trains also offer several non-capacity-related operational advantages. In this report, the longitudinal control systems needed to effect dynamic entrainment with platoon operations at spacings of 30-60 cm are developed with particular attention to stability, jerk limiting requirements, safety and passenger comfort. The capacity advantage of entraining is demonstrated for a single guideway link and for merge junctions, using Monte Carlo simulation. Variable-slot-length point-follower control is shown to reduce merge delays and maneuver ramp lengths compared with fixed-slot-length methods. The "zero gap" merge scheme developed here produces dramatic improvements compared with conventional merge strategies. The study suggests that the concepts of dynamic entrainment and platooning deserve more detailed study and testing because of the significant advantages they offer.