Daventry Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) – phase 2 consultation information Background In 2005, Daventry District Council (DDC) commissioned Colin Buchanan and partners (CB) to undertake the Daventry Development Transport Study (DDTS). The DDTS considered the potential role of innovative forms of public transport in serving the town and likely areas of development. In particular, it compared Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) with an enhanced bus network, and recommended the consideration of a town-wide PRT network with some 48 stations. Following on from this report, in 2006, DDC commissioned Sinclair Knight Merz (SKM) to confirm the potential benefits of PRT and prepare proposals for a pilot PRT scheme in Daventry. In particular this included both a technical assessment of the potential systems available and consideration of a possible pilot route. This consultation is being undertaken by SKM with the approval of DDC as part of this commission. What is PRT? PRT can best be described as a form of automated taxi, operating between stations on a network of dedicated tracks or “guideways.” Intending passengers board a PRT vehicle at the most convenient station and are then transported without intermediate stops to the station most convenient for their destination. As with taxis, passengers can travel alone or in small groups, without having to share with others. Operation of stations is similar to taxi ranks. Vehicles are available on demand throughout the time when the system is in operation, and waiting times are minimised, particularly if empty vehicles are already available at the boarding station. Operation of the vehicles is fully automatic, and the entire system is under central monitoring for safety and security. The PRT concept has been developed since about 1970 and there are a few PRT systems in regular passenger service elsewhere in the world, but none in the UK. Most of the technical problems with PRT have been solved and DDC now wishes to demonstrate a forward looking and innovative approach to public transport and has proposed that Daventry should become a showcase for the implementation of new technology which would be a key part of Daventry’s economic development strategy. What does it look like? PRT vehicles are generally designed to carry a similar number of passengers to a car and are, therefore, of a similar size. However, they are generally taller to enable easier boarding and alighting and to provide easy access for disabled users. A number of systems are under development or being tested, and in many of these the cars run on rubber tyres on top of a guideway (track) which may be at ground level or elevated on columns. Other systems favour suspended cars, and in this situation the entire network is elevated, though the guideway may drop to enable ground-level access at stations. Because PRT operation is automatic, the guideway must be kept completely segregated from any other access by pedestrians or vehicles. Thus if the guideway is at ground level (or suspended PRT vehicles run close to ground level) it must be fenced, with bridges or underpasses at crossing points. The vehicles themselves are generally electrically driven, with some systems using on-board batteries and others using power pickup from the guideway. Electric motors ensure that vehicles are quieter in operation than conventional road vehicles.
Stations would include a through line for vehicles which are not stopping and a platform giving access to vehicles for boarding and alighting. Depending on the specific configuration of the station, a number of empty vehicles may be available for immediate boarding. All boarding positions would have platform edge doors. Where stations are at ground level, bridges or subways would be provided for access from both sides. Full provision would be made for disabled access to all stations. Stations would typically be unstaffed, with central monitoring for safety and security. A number of potential suppliers have produced visualisations of their systems. However, it is important to note that no decision has been taken as to which system might be used if the Daventry pilot goes ahead, and that the final appearance of any system would be dependant on the detailed specification actually agreed with a preferred supplier at the time of selection. Where might it run? The DDTS proposed a complete route network covering all parts of Daventry. The pilot is intended both to provide a public service and to demonstrate and test the key features of the system. A key factor in route choice is the feasibility of fitting PRT between existing properties. Wherever possible, the proposed pilot route will be built on land already owned by the local and highway authorities. More details of the proposed pilot route are given in the Pilot Route Description. What happens next? The SKM report will put forward a set of proposals, including a proposed pilot route. The report will consider the viability of the pilot scheme and possible sources of funding. However, it must be emphasised that no decision has yet been taken whether to proceed, and no funding is in place. If the pilot scheme goes ahead, and funding is secured, prospective suppliers will be invited to put forward detailed bids to develop and build a system, based on the pilot proposal. It is at this stage that detailed alignment drawings for routes and stations, together with concepts and visualisations for the vehicles, will become available. There may also be opportunities for the involvement of local suppliers in the detailed development, construction and eventual operation of the pilot route. Your opportunity to comment If the pilot scheme goes forward, there will be a full programme of public consultation based on detailed plans and designs. DDC recognises that there is a need for wider comment on the broad proposals from representative local and community interests. Therefore, we invite you to complete and return the attached questionnaire. If you require more information Please contact: John Hawthorne Sinclair Knight Merz
Richard Caple Daventry District Council
020 7759 2554 jhawthorne@skm.co.uk
01327 302427 rcaple@daventrydc.gov.uk
Daventry PRT Pilot Route description – phase 2 consultation information This is a broad recommendation only. It has not been developed in detail and has not been adopted by Daventry District Council. The proposed pilot route would serve the town centre at a station on the south western corner of the rebuilt Eastern Way/South Way roundabout. This could possibly be co-located with a new multi-storey car par planned for this site. From here the route would cross Eastern Way as double track along the old rail alignment as far as at the point where the footpath from Osprey Drive passes beneath the old rail alignment and Northern Way. The route would then run in a one way loop; northwards via the old railway alignment as far as the Drayton Way subway, where it then turns and runs alongside Drayton Way to the Ashby Way/Northern Way roundabout. It would then run south alongside Northern Way via the Welton Lane roundabout to rejoin the double track section. The junction at the end of the double track section would include a curve to enable vehicles running south along Northern Way to turn north along the old rail alignment. Operation of the PRT system will be fully automatic which requires that the guideway (track) will be completely segregated from other access by pedestrians or vehicles. Where the PRT route crosses roads, the guideway will be elevated to provide normal clearance for road vehicles. Where it crosses pedestrian, cycle or equestrian access routes, either the guideway will be elevated, or a suitable bridge provided, including ramps. Depending on the system chosen and the space available, the PRT guideway may share some existing pedestrian bridges and underpasses. Full access for pedestrians, cyclists (and equestrians where currently available) would be maintained along the old railway alignment as now. Elevated road crossings would ensure that there was no interference with current road traffic, including access to the Country Park. Possible station locations for the pilot are as follows:
Town centre near Eastern Way/South Way roundabout. If co-located with the proposed multi-storey carpark this station will be elevated.
Between Scott Close/Peartree Close (on old rail alignment)
Behind Highlands Drive (possible location on old rail alignment)
Drayton Way/Ashby Road/Northern Way roundabout. This station may be elevated to enable the guideway to cross the roundabout.
Northern Way/Welton Lane roundabout. This station may be elevated to enable the guideway to cross the roundabout.
Stations may be elevated, particularly in locations where space and access constraints would preclude location at ground level. Please note that the precise location of stations and whether they are at ground level or elevated depends on a range of considerations, including the characteristics of the PRT system selected. The proposed depot is on the Heartlands Business Park between the old railway alignment and Newnham Drive. This would be served by an extension of the guideway along the old rail alignment. Depending on the system chosen, this could possibly share the pedestrian and cycle subway under Drayton Way.
Daventry Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) – phase 2 consultation response form These questions are intended as a starting point for your answers and comments – please expand the sections within the document as necessary. The PRT Concept Is PRT an appropriate solution to the transport needs of Daventry? (If so, why – if not, why not?)
Would a PRT system make a positive contribution to the economic development of Daventry? (if so, how – if not, why not?)
Would a PRT system help to raise the profile of Daventry as a place to live and work? (if so, how – if not, why not?)
The PRT Pilot Route Will the proposed pilot route offer an attractive transport option for the residents of Ashby Fields and Lang Farm?
If the proposed pilot is in operation, will there be a continuing need for bus routes D2/D3 to extend to Ashby Fields and Lang Farm?
Will the proposed pilot route offer an attractive transport option for the residents of other parts of Daventry? (this could include other parts of Daventry adjacent to or beyond the pilot route, including Middlemore; also as a potential means of access to the Country Park)
Are there potential problems with the proposed pilot route? (If so, what - and how might they be mitigated or overcome?)
Are there ways in which the proposed pilot route could be improved?
If the route is taken forward for full public consultation, what will be the factors of greatest concern?
If you are returning the form by post and wish to give your contact details, please include them below:
Please return your completed response form either by email to: jhawthorne@skm.co.uk Or by post to: John Hawthorne Sinclair Knight Merz Victoria House Southampton Row LONDON WC1B 4EA