As auto-dependent development has forced the urban limits of the city to sprawl, it has put considerable pressure on the transportation corridors that serve the city center. In Halifax, Nova Scotia, this condition is exacerbated by the downtown being bounded by water on three sides. Thus, there are a limited number of transportation corridors onto and off of the peninsula. This thesis examines how transit stations for a proposed public transportation line, within an underused rail corridor, can actively support and engage the communities they serve. A personal rapid transit network is proposed as a mobility-on-demand public transit system within this corridor. This introduction of a new transportation strategy is seen as a paradigm shift for the way transportation is conceived of in Halifax. Thus, the typology of the station will be studied in three different social and topographic environments, to form prototypes for the potential of transit stations throughout Halifax.

No description available.

Emissions from passenger transport causes impacts to the environment and human health. With increasing demand for urban transportation caused by population growth and urbanization new transport solutions are needed. Vectus Intelligent Transport develops a new transport solution with the Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) technology which provides individual, automated and on demand transportation. Vectus is currently building their first commercial system at the Suncheon wetlands in South Korea. One of the purposes with the Suncheon PRT system is to reduce the environmental impact on the unique eco-system of the wetlands. The PRT technology is considered a sustainable transport solution due to the fact that it is electrically powered. However, there has not until now been any detailed environmental analysis of a complete PRT system. In this thesis a life cycle assessment (LCA) for the Vectus PRT was performed to identify the parts of the system that contributed to the largest environmental impact and in which phase of the life cycle these impacts occurred, as well as the impact of some system changes. The Suncheon PRT system was used as a ground scenario. All processes needed to construct, operate and dismantle the system were included in the assessment and were used to build a material and energy flow model for the complete life cycle. For the overall system the track stood for the largest impact followed by the vehicles. These impacts occurred at different phases of the life cycle, the tracks during construction due to its large mass and vehicles during operation due to the energy demand. A track made of steel had a lower environmental impact compared to a concrete track due to its lighter structure. By using certified electricity mix the impact during the operation phase could be reduced by over 95 % for most of the impact categories studied. The choice of electricity mix during operation was the single most efficient way to affect the overall environmental impact of the system. Using power collection instead of batteries was the preferred alternative as the vehicle power system due to short lifetime for batteries and increase in number of vehicles to maintain passenger capacity due to charging time. By combining these configurations for the Suncheon PRT system the overall environmental impact could be lowered by about 50 %. According to the LCA a slight decrease in greenhouse gas emissions and increase of emissions of acidifying substances will occur compared to competing modes of transport, such as transportation with cars and buses, due to the construction of the Suncheon PRT. However, during operation minimal emissions will occur at the Suncheon wetlands thus fulfilling the purpose of the PRT. There is also a large potential to substantially lower the impact by choosing renewable power, an alternative not available for gasoline driven vehicles. / Utsläpp från persontransporter påverkar både miljön och människors hälsa. Med ökad efterfrågan av stadstrafik på grund av befolkningstillväxt och urbanisering krävs nya transportlösningar. Vectus Intelligent Transportation utvecklar en ny transportlösning med konceptet spårtaxi (PRT) som erbjuder individuell och automatiserad passagerartransport på begäran. Vectus uppför för närvarande sitt första kommersiella system vid Suncheons nationalpark i Sydkorea. Ett av syftena med spårtaxisystemet i Suncheon är att minska miljöpåverkan vid nationalparken. PRT-tekniken anses vara en hållbar transportlösning tack vare det faktum att driften sker med el. Någon detaljerad miljöanalys av ett komplett spårtaxisystem har dock inte tidigare utförts. I detta examensarbete utfördes en livscykelanalys (LCA) för Vectus PRT för att identifiera vilka delar av systemet som bidrog till störst miljöpåverkan och i vilken del av livscykeln dessa effekter inträffade samt effekter av olika ändringar i systemutformning. Spårtaxisystemet i Suncheon användes som grundscenario. Alla processer som krävdes för att bygga, driva och avveckla systemet ingick i analysen och användes till att bygga en material- och energiflödesmodell för hela livscykeln. För det totala systemet stod spåret för den största miljöpåverkan följt av fordonen. Dessa effekter uppstod under olika faser av livscykeln, spåret under konstruktion på grund av dess stora massa och fordonen under drift på grund av dess energiförbrukning. Ett spår bestående av stål hade en lägre miljöpåverkan jämfört med ett spår i betong tack vare dess lättare struktur. Genom att använda certifierad elmix kunde effekterna under driftsfasen minskas med över 95 % för flertalet av de studerade miljöeffekterna. Valet av elmix under drift var det enskilt mest effektiva sättet att påverka systemets totala miljöpåverkan. Användandet av strömavtagare i stället för batterier var att föredra som alternativ till fordonens energikälla. Detta på grund av kort livslängd för batterier och en ökning av totala antalet fordon i systemet för att upprätthålla passagerarkapacitet på grund av laddningstiden. Genom att kombinera dessa konfigurationer för Suncheons spårtaxisystem kunde den totala miljöpåverkan sänkas ca 50%. Enligt LCAn kommer en liten utsläppsminskning av växthusgaser men en ökning av utsläpp av försurande ämnen ske jämfört med konkurrerande vägtransporter, så som bilar och bussar, genom uppförandet av spårtaxisystemet vid Suncheon. Däremot kommer minimala utsläpp ske vid Suncheons nationalpark under drifttiden vilket uppfyller syftet med spårtaxisystemet. Det finns också en stor potential att avsevärt sänka effekterna genom att välja förnyelsebara energikällor, ett alternativ som inte skulle vara möjligt för bensindrivna motorfordon.

Este trabalho apresenta uma metodologia para avaliação de novas tecnologias de transporte público urbano. O objetivo é aplicar esta metodologia para tornar possível a comparação entre diferentes tecnologias para o transporte público. Este trabalho também considera ainda a introdução de uma nova tecnologia em uma cidade média brasileira. Trata-se do transporte público individualizado (TPI) ou personal rapid transit (PRT), como potencial substituto do ônibus. O TPI, que é uma tecnologia pouco conhecida, porém tem um potencial a ser explorado, já que possui características de transporte individual e ao mesmo tempo, é um serviço de transporte público. A metodologia consiste em duas etapas: a primeira etapa emprega a técnica conhecida como analytic hierarchy process (AHP), que já foi utilizada para avaliar projetos de transporte que envolvem atributos de diferentes naturezas e que são de difícil comparação utilizando outras técnicas. A estrutura desenvolvida contemplou a seleção de critérios, a determinação dos pesos dos critérios, o levantamento dos dados de cada tecnologia para comparação, a comparação dos dados das tecnologias dentro de cada critério e, por fim, a determinação da tecnologia mais adequada. Dois grupos de avaliadores foram considerados: pesquisadores especialistas em transporte público e usuários. A segunda etapa consiste em comparar diretamente o desempenho operacional das tecnologias. Foram comparados o tempo de atendimento, a capacidade máxima de atendimento, o tempo de viagem por passageiro e pelo sistema. A avaliação da primeira etapa deu ao TPI uma ligeira vantagem para os dois grupos, o que pode evidenciar a necessidade de se modificar o conceito de transporte público urbano. A avaliação para a segunda etapa demonstrou que o TPI atenderia a demanda numa cidade média com qualidade superior ao ônibus, porém a capacidade de atendimento, na forma apresentada, é inferior ao ônibus. Com base nos resultados, o TPI surge como uma alternativa interessante ao ônibus, porém sofre restrições por conta de seu alto custo de investimento. / This work discusses a methodology for the appraisal of new technologies of urban public transportation. The objective is to apply such a methodology to make possible a comparison of different technologies for public transportation. This work also considers the introduction of the personal rapid transit (PRT) in a brazilian medium-sized city as a potential candidate to replace the traditional bus technology. Although not yet a widespread alternative, PRT is a promising transportation technology, given its characteristics of individual transportation and, at the same time, the status of public service. The methodology consists in two steps: the first one uses the well-known technique named analytic hierarchy process (AHP), which has already been extensively used to assess transportation projects that involve different attributes and that cannot be easily compared with other techniques. The framework developed had the following phases: selection of criteria, identification of criteria weights, identification and comparison of the characteristics of each technology under comparison, and determination of the best alternative. Two groups of evaluators were considered in the analysis: experts and regular users of urban public transportation. The second phase is a direct comparison of the operational performance of the technologies under analysis. The analysis was done through the comparison of services times, maximum service capacity, and travel times per passenger and in the entire system. The final outcome of the evaluation has shown a slight advantage to PRT for both groups, what can suggest the need for changing the current view of urban public transportation. The second part of the evaluation has demonstrated that PRT could serve the demand of a medium-sized city with a higher level of service, although with capacity constraints in the case considered. The results suggest that PRT can be an interesting alternative to bus, if not limited by the very high investment costs.

Este trabalho apresenta uma metodologia para avaliação de novas tecnologias de transporte público urbano. O objetivo é aplicar esta metodologia para tornar possível a comparação entre diferentes tecnologias para o transporte público. Este trabalho também considera ainda a introdução de uma nova tecnologia em uma cidade média brasileira. Trata-se do transporte público individualizado (TPI) ou personal rapid transit (PRT), como potencial substituto do ônibus. O TPI, que é uma tecnologia pouco conhecida, porém tem um potencial a ser explorado, já que possui características de transporte individual e ao mesmo tempo, é um serviço de transporte público. A metodologia consiste em duas etapas: a primeira etapa emprega a técnica conhecida como analytic hierarchy process (AHP), que já foi utilizada para avaliar projetos de transporte que envolvem atributos de diferentes naturezas e que são de difícil comparação utilizando outras técnicas. A estrutura desenvolvida contemplou a seleção de critérios, a determinação dos pesos dos critérios, o levantamento dos dados de cada tecnologia para comparação, a comparação dos dados das tecnologias dentro de cada critério e, por fim, a determinação da tecnologia mais adequada. Dois grupos de avaliadores foram considerados: pesquisadores especialistas em transporte público e usuários. A segunda etapa consiste em comparar diretamente o desempenho operacional das tecnologias. Foram comparados o tempo de atendimento, a capacidade máxima de atendimento, o tempo de viagem por passageiro e pelo sistema. A avaliação da primeira etapa deu ao TPI uma ligeira vantagem para os dois grupos, o que pode evidenciar a necessidade de se modificar o conceito de transporte público urbano. A avaliação para a segunda etapa demonstrou que o TPI atenderia a demanda numa cidade média com qualidade superior ao ônibus, porém a capacidade de atendimento, na forma apresentada, é inferior ao ônibus. Com base nos resultados, o TPI surge como uma alternativa interessante ao ônibus, porém sofre restrições por conta de seu alto custo de investimento. / This work discusses a methodology for the appraisal of new technologies of urban public transportation. The objective is to apply such a methodology to make possible a comparison of different technologies for public transportation. This work also considers the introduction of the personal rapid transit (PRT) in a brazilian medium-sized city as a potential candidate to replace the traditional bus technology. Although not yet a widespread alternative, PRT is a promising transportation technology, given its characteristics of individual transportation and, at the same time, the status of public service. The methodology consists in two steps: the first one uses the well-known technique named analytic hierarchy process (AHP), which has already been extensively used to assess transportation projects that involve different attributes and that cannot be easily compared with other techniques. The framework developed had the following phases: selection of criteria, identification of criteria weights, identification and comparison of the characteristics of each technology under comparison, and determination of the best alternative. Two groups of evaluators were considered in the analysis: experts and regular users of urban public transportation. The second phase is a direct comparison of the operational performance of the technologies under analysis. The analysis was done through the comparison of services times, maximum service capacity, and travel times per passenger and in the entire system. The final outcome of the evaluation has shown a slight advantage to PRT for both groups, what can suggest the need for changing the current view of urban public transportation. The second part of the evaluation has demonstrated that PRT could serve the demand of a medium-sized city with a higher level of service, although with capacity constraints in the case considered. The results suggest that PRT can be an interesting alternative to bus, if not limited by the very high investment costs.

Thesis. 1976. M.C.P.--Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Urban Studies and Planning. / Microfiche copy available in Archives and Rotch. / Bibliography: leaves 143-144. / M.C.P.

Rapid growth in suburb-to-suburb commuting has created a problem for transit providers: the dispersed commuting patterns are very difficult to serve with transit, and are characterized by low transit use. This thesis aims to determine which markets have the best potential for transit, and what factors could increase this potential. Surrey, B.C. is typical of the rapidly growing areas where suburb-to-suburb commuting is most prevalent. Commuting between Surrey and other suburban areas has increased sharply in recent years. A detailed examination of commuting patterns within Surrey revealed the highly dispersed nature of the work trip flows; the only flows which were concentrated to any degree were those between nodes with relatively high population and employment densities. A correlation was found between density, especially employment density, and transit use. Inter-nodal trips, which already have the greatest transit use among suburb-to-suburb trips, will be a key market for transit in the suburbs. Inter-nodal express service would help to address complaints that suburb-to-suburb transit service is too slow and indirect. Trips to and from the nodes will also be an important market. Intra-nodal trips, which presently have low transit use, form another key market which could possibly be served by a paratransit shuttle service. In Surrey, efforts have begun to address the issue of suburb-to-suburb transit in a comprehensive manner, but there has been little substantive progress to date. The case study results were used to develop a conceptual framework for suburb-to-suburb transit planning which could then be applied to other suburban areas facing similar problems. The framework calls for a wide array of transit and paratransit services, each filling a different market niche, which can be combined to create an integrated but flexible system. This system must be reinforced with land use strategies to promote greater densities, and more pedestrian and transit friendly design. Transportation demand management must also be used to encourage transit use by increasing the costs of driving an automobile. This three-pronged, comprehensive approach should allow transit to compete successfully in some suburban markets.

A city's intersections are places or voids where the trajectories, paths and commuter routes of a cities citizens collide. They are points of momentary stasis. At intersections the agents of speed and haste characteristic of the flow of the city are brought to a collective pause. The challenge of this thesis was to bring about an architectural representation of this negotiation between flow and pause. There was a desire to see the commuterscape of Vancouver as a way of allowing different publics and contrasting programmes the opportunity for chance encounters and collisions. This desire led to the design of a building which served as an intersection, sometimes carefully controlled while at others free and open to the random flows of urbanism. The site at the corner of Main and Terminal streets in Vancouver was chosen because it is a place where the di verse social, economic and historical fabrics of the city are intersecting. This site is the busiest at grade intersection in Vancouver where skytrain and bus passengers, car drivers and pedestrians are variously pushed together and pulled apart. Commuter space and commuter movement through that space are generally assumed to be unproductive, uninfected movement through vacuous and empty space. This thesis challenges that view by inserting a building into this commuter space to utilize the potentials for exchange, negotiation and encounter offered by such a space. The building is made up of two very different programs - one containing a series of small performing arts theatres, the other commercial and rentable office space. In between the two, the inbound and outbound skytrain tracks and a public walkway create varying perceptual experiences which mediate between the two different typologies. The public zones of the building are used to link the varied programs together and to create connections to the surrounding park and buildings.

This research project is designed to enhance the planning process that can aid authorities moving towards sustainable and economically feasible local and regional mobility systems. The improvements that have been made to transit so far have not been successful in breaking the trend of increasing car traffic and decreasing transit trip making. This means that sustainable mobility is a complex system which also encompasses changing attitudes and behaviours, integrating spatial and energy planning into it, and looking upstream to affect the causes of the problem instead of downstream to just fix its consequences. Environmental impacts (noise, pollution, health problems), accidents and congestion are all by-products of transport activities – they are the so-called external costs – and must be made part of the equation. European guidelines were analysed, as well as the results of many of the European Union‘s mobility research programs. The core of the research analyses how to move Karlskrona municipality‘s mobility system towards its vision of success in the future through the Framework for Strategic Sustainable Development – Sustainable Mobility (FSSD-SM). Backcasting from a sustainable vision in the long-term future is central to this process. The Municipality of Karlskrona, in Sweden, is the case study. A sustainability analysis of Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) systems was undertaken to determine the feasability of integrating this modal system into the mobility solution for Karlskrona municipality.

Rapid growth in suburb-to-suburb commuting has created a problem for transit providers: the dispersed commuting patterns are very difficult to serve with transit, and are characterized by low transit use. This thesis aims to determine which markets have the best potential for transit, and what factors could increase this potential. Surrey, B.C. is typical of the rapidly growing areas where suburb-to-suburb commuting is most prevalent. Commuting between Surrey and other suburban areas has increased sharply in recent years. A detailed examination of commuting patterns within Surrey revealed the highly dispersed nature of the work trip flows; the only flows which were concentrated to any degree were those between nodes with relatively high population and employment densities. A correlation was found between density, especially employment density, and transit use. Inter-nodal trips, which already have the greatest transit use among suburb-to-suburb trips, will be a key market for transit in the suburbs. Inter-nodal express service would help to address complaints that suburb-to-suburb transit service is too slow and indirect. Trips to and from the nodes will also be an important market. Intra-nodal trips, which presently have low transit use, form another key market which could possibly be served by a paratransit shuttle service. In Surrey, efforts have begun to address the issue of suburb-to-suburb transit in a comprehensive manner, but there has been little substantive progress to date. The case study results were used to develop a conceptual framework for suburb-to-suburb transit planning which could then be applied to other suburban areas facing similar problems. The framework calls for a wide array of transit and paratransit services, each filling a different market niche, which can be combined to create an integrated but flexible system. This system must be reinforced with land use strategies to promote greater densities, and more pedestrian and transit friendly design. Transportation demand management must also be used to encourage transit use by increasing the costs of driving an automobile. This three-pronged, comprehensive approach should allow transit to compete successfully in some suburban markets. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Community and Regional Planning (SCARP), School of / Graduate