State of the Main Enabling Technology

The computer control technology to move driverless vehicles through networks is at a good state of development. Raytheon, for example, has developed one for the proposed Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) system to be deployed in Rosemont, Illinois.

Short-range, reasonably priced electric cars are just around the corner. Renault and Peugeot Citroën are already manufacturing small electric cars using conventional vehicle bodies and chassis. Ground-up built electric cars from other manufacturers are begining to be available starting late 1996 through 1997. General Motors has spent millions of dollars on electric car delectric carelopment and recently announced that they intend to make electric cars a business. This infers (1) a line of different sizes and styles of electric cars and (2) prices competitive with conventional vehicles. The car in the above graphic includes a two-seat electric of which 45 are being demonstrated in California. The graphic represents a time when the electric car fleet is large enought a nd few conventional cars are carried.

Building guideways above active roads with a robotics guideway section transport system has been demonstrated in Singapore.