Automated electrified transportation - Propulsion Systems for Hybrid Vehicles - page 547

capacity per kilometre travelled. This is shown in Figure 12.2 for energy normal-
ized to passenger-kilometers, MJ/pass-km. A transit bus and multi-unit train, for
example, are about the lowest energy consumers per passenger-km of the standard
transportation systems. Compare this to a single-person motorcycle and battery
electric vehicle (BEV). Conventional trams and light rail (LR) are even higher
consumers, possibly due to suboptimal occupancy.
3
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
Figure 12.2 Normalized energy consumption for different transportation modes
A good summary of freeway capable PRTs is given by Kornbluth et al . [8]
where they show that most of these 3- and 4-wheel vehicles are capable of 70, 80
and 90 mph and higher with one or at most two people on-board. Power plants are
mainly BEV, but there are some SI engines and CIDI engines in the mix. The VW 1
L Tandem was covered earlier in this topic. In the treatment here of narrow lane
vehicles (NLV), the authors cite some useful vehicle targets of t z 60 ¼ 10-12 s
acceleration time, an AER ¼ 100 miles or more, maximum vehicle speed of
> 75 mph, gradeability of 6% at 55 mph and energy consumption of < 100 Wh/mi,
all in a vehicle not wider than 1.12 m (44 in.).
12.2 Automated highway system
In the AHS, the vehicles are dual mode, meaning they can operate equally well on
existing roads and highways, but are capable of fully automatic operation on spe-
cial guideways, but can be more limited if so designed, to operate solely on
guideways as PRTs would be. PRTs have already been discussed, and many authors
and promoters have shown them to be a good choice for non-stop commuting
between intra-city destinations. AHS is more functional and flexible and admits
non-stop commuting both intra-city and inter-city, but having capability of travel
on conventional highways and seamless transition to guideway mode [9,10]. The
AHS vehicles are consistent with the NLVs discussed by Kornbluth et al. [8] that
are less than 1.12 m wide and have a mass of 600 kg. The AHS vehicle discussed
here has fore and aft (tandem) seating for two occupants and a width of approxi-
mately 1.3 m and empty mass of 600 kg, including engine and energy storage.