How much transpiration does it take to realise a people mover system ? Modern society is depending heavily on Information Technologies. Better utilization of infrastructure and more cost-efficient operation of networks and public transport can merely be realized with aid of IT solutions. Automated Vehicle Guidance currently has a strong focus on the automotive sector, but the innovation drive in collective transport modes seems to be falling behind. Automated people movers are only found in just over a 100 applications, although their potential and benefits are almost obvious at first hand. Why do these systems still play around in kindergarten? The technical approach to concepts has a major influence, customer-orientated developments are still an exception. Because of lack in transparent costs and benefits and greater social-economic impacts, investors and governments are reluctant to implement innovative transport concepts. There are however examples that show innovation can be done when addressing and mitigating risks properly. But it takes a long breath to create commitment, consensus, a clear ground for acceptability and finally a lot of guts! The future will probably bring collective and individual transport modes closer together, but realizing an instant leap forward is not to be expected: innovation is a process of creation through mutation. (Author/publisher)
Abstract