Conceptual Design and Accomplishment of a Steel Guideway for the Personal Rapid Transit at Heathrow Airport in London, UK

Abstract

The ULTra Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) system uses small driverless electric vehicles travelling on a lightweight steel and concrete guideway. Each vehicle transports up to four passengers and luggage. A pilot scheme constructed at London Heathrow Airport to carry passengers between the N3 Business car park and Terminal 5 is approximately 1,9 km long and consists of single- and twin-track elevated sections, including a roundabout, and short at-grade section at the end of Heathrow's north runway (to fit below the aircraft landing zone). Spans range from 8 to 36 m in length, with 18 m being a typical module.In order to meet PRT system requirements for a cost-effective, slender and lightweight guideway construction, the design team developed rules to supplement national design codes for footbridges and similar structures. Recognition that the elevated structure does not experience pedestrian-induced vibration enabled a lighter and visually more attractive design to be developed.PRT system aims to provide improved ride quality compared to standard public transport modes. An enhanced set of tolerances for steelwork fabrication was developed, and structural steelwork fabrication, pre-cast concrete production and on-site erection were then closely supervised to ensure that this was achieved.Guideway construction was completed in summer 2009, the mechanical and electrical fit-outs were then carried out and the system underwent passenger trials before opening to the public in September 2010.