Guideway Maintenance

Complicated PRT guideways are inherently more expensive to maintain than standard rail systems.

Maintenance costs for the guideways will depend heavily upon the technology selected. The ULTra system uses a simple, ground-level, un-powered, concrete guideway - maintenance cost can be expected to be low. The Taxi2000 design is fully elevated with power supply issues to contend with - so will likely cost more to maintain. The Vectus design incorporates linear motors into the elevated guideway and will be more costly. Generally, the simpler and lower cost guideway designs will use more complicated and expensive vehicles.

However, the fully elevated systems avoid many costs that accrue to standard rail systems:

• Rail wear - The rubber-tired PRT vehicles produce little wear upon the guideway elements compared to steel-wheeled transit vehicles. There will be little need to replace worn rail.
  
  
• Road traffic coordination systems - Since fully-elevated PRT systems never interact with surface roads and streets, there is no system timing lights or pre-empting traffic signals that needs to be adjusted or maintained.
  
  
• Traffic control devices - Fully elevated PRT has no need for crossing gates or warning signals for auto traffic or pedestrians.
  
  
• Track switches and controls - Since PRT systems will use in-vehicle switches, there are no track switches and associated control systems to maintain.
  
  
• Right-of-way clearing and maintenance - Much of an elevated PRT system will be over already paved or otherwise maintained areas - there will be less need to mow or landscape these areas. Debris or trash accumulated under the guideway poses little safety or operational risk for the PRT system.
  
  
• Rail bed maintenance - Elevated systems have no ballast stone or rail ties to replace. They are relatively immune to erosion problems.
  
  
• Ground movement issues - Elevated PRT systems are much less affected by ground swell or movement from freezing and thawing cycles, ground moisture or drought, etc. The interface with the ground occurs only at the support columns and foundations, rather than along the entire length of guideway.
  
  

So, while there will be additional costs incurred by PRT guideways, there are also avoided costs.