The document summarizes the history and growth of automated rail systems from the 1960s to today. It notes that airports pioneered automated people movers in the 1970s-2000s, while metros have increasingly adopted automation since the 1980s. Automated systems enhance safety, flexibility, comfort and efficiency for passengers compared to non-automated options. They have allowed for bold expansion plans in western countries, eastern countries, and the middle world. The document also discusses renewed interest in personal rapid transit networks and their potential integration with transit-oriented development.

1. AUTOMATED METROS,
MINI-METROS + MICRO-LINKS
Lawrence J. Fabian
Trans.21
March 2015

2. TIMEFRAME
The gradual global evolution of Rail Automation
• 1960s Concepts
• 1970s Prototypes, demos, parks,
pioneer airports
• 1980s Pioneer metros, casinos,
special projects, dozens of airport
installations
• 1990s Pioneer hospitals, multi-
plying metros projects
• 2000s Global metro market,
airport contraction
• TODAY- Off-the-shelf automation
Airports were
and still are active with APMs.

3. AUTOMATION ENHANCES
SAFETY, FLEXIBILITY, COMFORT, EFFICIENCY
Automated Systems, 2014
Application Pax/d
38 Airport Airside 1.6
19 Airport Landside 0.4
31 Leisure (zoo, casino, park) 0.3
24 Institutional (hosp, univ.,
malls, etc.)
0.5
41 Metro (mass transit) 7.0
20 Circulator 0.4
173 TOTAL 10.2
A hospital shuttle in Indianapolis

4. CONFIDENCE FOR BOLD PLANS
in the West

5. CONFIDENCE FOR BOLD PLANS
in the East

6. CONFIDENCE FOR BOLD PLANS
in the Middle World

7. RENEWED INTEREST IN PRT

8. Non-Linear PRT Networks

9. Small Stations

10. Surface Stations?

11. Transit-Oriented Development
Vertical

12. Transit-Oriented Development
Horizontal

13. Rail Automation is a fruit of man’s knowledge, a gift from Him
Who is the possessor of all created thing.