Comparison Matrix of Ready and Emerging Innovative Transportation Technologies

Both ready and emerging technologies are included in this matrix. Links are provided to more detailed on-line information about all technologies. The current status of emerging transportation technologies (i.e. not currently available for sale or not currently in revenue operation somewhere) in the world is evaluated.  Technologies that are developed and ready for sale have a yellow background.

The status of each emerging technology has been self-evaluated by the inventors/developers of that technology, as of mid-2008. Updates will be made as they become available. The definitions of the symbols used in the matrix are given below, following the comparison table.

System Name Location Status of Design Engr.&Testing Cost Target Active Mkting? Operating?
    Vehicle Guideway C&C Software Test Program      
2getthere Netherlands Operating driverless vehicles that use the Frog-technology for guidance (also see Parkshuttle page)
Aerobus USA, TX Systems current available for sale, was operational several years ago in Europe and Canada.  A system is currently being constructed in WeiHai, China (2008)
Aerorider Netherlands Three-wheel bicycle with one-passenger enclosure, for commuting
Aerotrain USA History of efforts to develop a tracked air-cushion, high-speed, jet-propelled train in the 1970's; designed for 60 passengers with speed at 150 mph, by Rohr Industries
Air Car France Small auto that runs on compressed air, expected to be for sale in 2008 in India and Spain.  Tata Motors in India now involved
ATI (Air Train, Inc.) U.S., Kansas Suspended, tethered aircraft for mass transit applications, 1/15 scale model has been tested in wind tunnel
Applied Levitation USA, California Working on a variety of transportation vehicles using maglev technology
Atmostrack U.K. Conceptual only - would use compressed air for propulsion
Austrans Australia M/H H M H M H M
Automated Transport Systems USA, Florida

Extensive website describes preferred standards for a dualmode transport system, conceptual only, partners to assist development are desired
Autoshuttle Germany M M L L M/MH M M
Autonomous Transportation System Argentina, Netherlands

Conceptual system that features horizontal, vertical and gradient movement using Group Rapid Transit sized vehicles weighing about 3 tons
Autoway USA, VA

PRT concept - development funding being sought
ATN New Zealand

Automated transportation network - a PRT/dualmode concept
Autran USA M M M N L L N
AVT-Train USA, CA

Conceptual only - high speed train that carries autos and people
System Name Location Vehicle Guideway Software Test ? Cost? Mkting? Operating?
Beamways Sweden

Conceptual only - suspended PodCar, under development in Sweden, free design/simulation software available
Blade Runner U.K.

Uses vehicles with rubber tires and retractable steel wheels for dualmode capabilities, cargo and passenger modes
Cabintaxi    USA, MI Extensive test facility and development program completed in Germany in1979. Shuttle system in operation since 1976. US company pursuing private sector applications
Car Bus USA, CA Conceptual only, other versions called Autobus and Personal Mass Transit
CargoRail USA, TX Cargo carrier version of MegaRail, under development
City Mobility Netherlands Conceptual only
Coaster Austria

Website indicates that company has declared bankrupcy - reasons and future plans unknown (02/08)
CyberCab Netherlands H H H H L H H
CyberTran USA, CA H H M/H M/H L M/H M/H
Dragonfly MonoMetro U.K.

Suspended monorail, final stages of design, further development , demonstration and initial application currently (late 2008) underway in Saudi Arabia
Dualmode Vehicle Japan Minibus that can be operated on conventional rail as well as roadways, prototype completed by Japan Railways, development continuing in 2005
Easy-Rider Finland A dynamic carpool service now in operation in Amsterdam
EcoTaxi Finland Prototype being developed, small vehicles to be operated in a tube
Evac. Tube Transport USA, FL L/M L/M L/M L VL-MH M/H L/M
FlexiTrain New Zea. M M M L VL M L
Flash USA, OK

Conceptual only, small supported vehicle
Flyway Sweden L L L N VL M L
General Atomics, Urban Maglev USA, CA

One of FTA's Urban Maglev contractors, prototype and test track operational, demonstration planned at California University in Pennsylvania
Higherway USA, WA N N N N L L N
HSST maglev
Linimo line		 Japan For sale, extensive test and demo program continuing, first application in Japan has been completed. Has been studied in the U.S. under a FTA Urban Maglev contract. First public service initiated on Linimo line in March, 2005, in Japan
Hytran USA, IL Suspended monorail - conceptual, seeking development funding
Individual Mass Transit USA, OR A three-tier dualmode concept, conceptual only
Intelligent Grouping Transport UK, London An areawide, dial-a-ride concept, using advanced communications
technologies - called Taxibus - utilizes relatively small vehicles
Interstate Traveler USA, MI

Maglev concept under development,  includes palletized dualmode, cargo, solar driven hydrogen production and municipal utility capabilities
JPods USA, MN Small, suspended, computer controlled vehicles, development underway, very good slide show at their website
LEVX maglev by Magna-Force USA-WA Prototype 6-passenger vehicle being developed, uses permanent magnets for suspension and linear motors for propulsion, test track being constructed near Port Angeles, Washington
System Name Location Vehicle Guideway Software Test ? Cost? Mkting? Operating?
MAGLEV 2000 USA, FL. M M/H L L L/M L L
Magnemotion, Urban Maglev USA, MA One of FTA's Urban Maglev contractors, working toward demonstration project planned for near future, prototypes operating, recently awarded large FTA grant (2008)
Magnetrans USA, CA H M H M M H M
Magplane pipeline USA, MA and Mongolia H H H H VL M H
Magplane passenger USA, MA & China M M M L MH H N
MegaRail USA, Texas M M/H L L VL H L/M, Video available
Mezzanine Transit USA, Texas Conceptual only, being developed in Houston, TX, unique horizontal switching method
MicroRail USA, Texas M H L L VL H Prototype available
MIST-ER Poland PRT - Metropolitan Individual System of Transportation on Elevated Rail
MonicPRT Singapore Conceptual, low cost with some unique features, cost/revenue analysis available as is an excellent video simulation
Monomobile USA, Ohio M M L M VL M M
Modern Transport System Corporation USA, California Developing novel maglev system, some prototype components currently operational
Modular Automated Individual Transport European L L M L VL/L M N - good documents
ParkShuttle Netherlands One system in full operation (business park Rivium near Amsterdam since early 1999) Actively marketing for additional applications
Parry People Mover UK Features trams of several sizes, powered by a flywheel, no overhead wires. First application was in 2003, currently being operated in the UK.
PRISM USA, Michigan Dualmode concept developed at Ford Research Laboratory
PRT 2000 USA, Mass. Development and test program completed in 2000, awaiting market interest, but inactive as of 2003. A Raytheon project
PRTproject USA, Calif.

Conceptual only - features small vehicles running on rails in street
System Name Location Vehicle Guideway Software Test ? Cost? Mkting? Operating?
Personal Transportation System (PTS) USA, Calif. A dualmode concept that features small dualmode vehicles that can also be operated on conventional city streets
Project 21 USA, Virginia M H M L MH H M/L
Puget Pullway USA, Washington A dualmode concept that utilizes a modification of existing or new exclusive freeway lanes
Quiklane USA, California A conceptual dualmode concept that is described with a 9+ minute video
Railbus Netherlands A bus that can be operated on roads and rail - under development
REV USA, Washington A vision of a national dualmode system, conceptual only, 22 chapters, e-book
RailCab Germany Modular automated railway system that combines a sophisticated undercarriage with the advantages of maglev. using existing railways - for both people and cargo
Rideway USA, California

Conceptual only, moving beltway with passive vehicles
Roadrunner USA/UK

A very large bus concept

RUF Denmark M/H H/M L H M M H
RUMBA Germany Tube Underground Magnetic Levitation Railway - conceptual
Schmid Peoplemover Germany System for helping pedestrians get across heavily traveled roadways and other barriers to pedestrian movement
Segway USA Conceptual only - a palletized dualmode concept
Serpentine Switzerland H H H M VL M M
Skybikes, Bike Trains USA Conceptual only- specially designed facilities for serious bike transport
SkyCab PRT Sweden

Conceptual - under development in Sweden
SkyCabs New Zealand L M L/M N M M/H L  
Sky Train USA, FL Redesigned to incorporate fully proven light rail components MH M/H N
SkyTran USA Conceptual only - high speed, small vehicle, low cost, maglev
Skyweb Express USA, MN H H H M L H M
SkyTrolley Canada, B.C. Conceptual, suspended bus, good video available (DVD or YouTube)
SmartSkyways USA, CO L L L N L L L
SMRTram USA, MD Conceptual - electric, large-vehicle, two-way travel with one lane
String Transport Unitsky (STU) Russia M H L M VL to M M M
Taxibus IGT U.K. Minibuses operated so as to intelligently group passengers using modern telecommunications technology
TriTrack USA, TX H L N L VL L L
TubeXpress USA, NJ Prototypes built and tested, product market-ready
TubeWay Germany Concept only, uses air pressure and capsules for passenger and cargo, includes thin film PV for solar energy collection
System Name Location Vehicle Guideway Software Test ? Cost Mkting? Operating?
Tubular Rail Texas, USA A unique, monorail-type system that does not require a conventional guideway, for high-speed mass transit applications
ULTra U.K. Initial application under construction at Heathrow Airport in the U.K., to open in 2009
Unitran Russia See STU row above
UniModal USA, MT An alternate name for SkyTran , high-speed, maglev, small vehicles
Urbanaut USA, WA M M/H M/H MH H M M
Vectus PRT Korea, EU Test facility has been constructed in Uppsala, Sweden, as of 2007, testing underway
VMTS USA, WA Conceptual only - uses large truck to haul small electric vehicles on freeways
Velotaxi Germany For 2 people, muscle-powered with electrical assist, available now
Whoosh U.K. Conceptual only - monorail that uses compressed air for propulsion
Y-Rail Austria Conceptual only - could be a PRT or GRT, unique switching system
Zhonghua-06 China Suspended, light-weight, maglev concept, initial testing underway

Symbols Used to Describe the Status of Design Engineering and Testing Programs for Each Technology

Vehicle Development
  H = Highly developed, fully built, being tested or ready for testing
  M = Partially developed, some components and/or reduced scale prototype built and tested
  L =  Still mostly on paper, some engineering studies completed
  N = All on paper or elsewhere

Guideway

  H = Highly developed, full scale or scale model built, some testing accomplished
  M = Engineering design, analysis and cost studies completed
  L = Still mostly on paper, some engineering studies completed
  N = All on paper or elsewhere

Command and Control Software

  H = Software fully developed, simulation capability tested and available for application studies
  M = Software designed, partially developed, no simulation capability available as yet
  L = Concepts in mind, some preliminary studies completed
  N = Not much progress yet

Testing Program

  H = Test track built and being used for vehicle and software testing and demonstrations
  M = Section of test track built, some testing accomplished
  L = Only small scale or prototype test facilities available
  N = No progress on test program other than planning so far

Cost Target (rough estimate of system capital cost, which includes all necessary components for operational system - contact vendor for specifics)

  H = More that $30 million/mile ($18.75/km)
  MH = $20-30 million/mile ($12.5-$18.75/km)
  M = $10-20 million/mile ($6.25-12.5/km)
  L = $5-10 million/mile ($3.125-6.25/km)
  VL = Less than $5 million/mile ($3.125/km)

Active Marketing Program?  

  H = Established and active sales/marketing program, some market research undertaken
  M = Brochures, videos, extensive written materials, active website
  L = Some details and illustrations available
  N = Not ready for this yet

Operational System Available for Inspection?

  H = Test facility in operation and can provide rides and  be inspected
  M = Operating prototype available as are simulation results
  L = Illustrations and/or static models available
  N = Nothing available so far

Requests for additions, deletions, improvement or correction should be sent to Jerry Schneider

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Last modified: October 04, 2008