BIKE: PRT -- just for fun

[Patrick Goetz]

chris wrote:
> Below are some comments from a PRT supporter's perspective on some of
> today's PRT related comments.   While I don't expect them to sway many of
> the dedicated mass-transit supporters, I hope the list finds them useful.
> 

You didn't respond to my issue regarding how switching would be handled, 
but no matter.

It turns out that there actually is a PRT system in use today (in Japan, 
of course), although monorail enthusiasts like to think of it as the 
world's smallest monorail:

 
http://www.nikkari.co.jp/english/product/monorack/catalog/jyoyo/e-taninzu.html

The Monorack M-1 has been around since 1966 and was introduced to aid 
farmers maintain and harvest their mandarin orange orchards. Because of 
the success of the Monorack, various configurations have been developed 
over the years for other small scale operations. The name "Monorack" was 
coined from "work becomes easy," which is "monoraku" in Japanese. The 
monorack system provides easy transportation of people and loads on 
slopes without the need to cut down down trees or clear large areas. As 
the Nikkari website states, Monoracks can be used in the construction or 
maintenance of dams or power transmission steel towers, for farming on 
inclined land, harvesting of orchards, and for carrying people or 
luggage at leisure facilities. (text harvested from the News page of 
www.monorails.org)