Pods are powered with Lithium Ion batteries, which recharge either when the pod is in a station, or in a waiting lane. The overall power for the system can come from the main electricity supply, or independently from renewable sources, such as solar panels mounted on stations or the pods themselves.

No. The main control system ensures that every pod sets out on a journey with sufficient charge to complete it.

Each pod has an internal computer with a detailed accurate map of the guideway. Having been instructed to undertake a journey by the main control system, a pod will follow this, calibrating its journey by using internally mounted lasers to confirm its position against fixed points on the guideway.

Each berth in a station has a touch screen user interface with a map of the system. The passenger simply touches their button for their intended destination station to activate a journey. The touch screens can be voice activated if required, and can switch languages.

The pods weigh 850 kg unladen.

Yes. Pods adapted for freight are ideal for distribution of goods from depots to retailers, for example.

No. The main control system ensures that every pod sets out on a journey with sufficient charge to complete it.

A single lane of PRT has a capacity of 2,400 per hour. Systems, with loops, will have greater capacity than this; the total depends on numbers of stations and the design and number of station berths.

No. PRT is designed to be personal if that is what the passenger wants. It is possible for sharing to occur, provided all passengers are going to the same station.

No. All journeys are point-to-point, going non-stop straight to a passenger’s destination.

The Control Room operative will see the problem on CCTV, and will ensure that a paramedic meets the pod at its intended destination.

All pods and stations have CCTV which is monitored in the Control Room. In the event of such bad behaviour, appropriate security officers can be called, to meet a pod at its destination.

This will depend on local arrangements, but should be comparable to a bus ticket.

Ticketing should work as it would do in local transportation; in the future this will be through contactless payments.

This depends on the demand, and on the design of the system. PRT is designed to align station berths and pod numbers to meet periods of maximum demand, and keep empty pod movements to a minimum.

Yes. The guideways are relatively simple constructions, and additional loops can be added easily. The main system control software, station and vehicle control software can easily be upgraded to take account of extensions.

In theory, no. Limitations would arise as a result only of local conditions such as geography.

Stations can have extra berths added to them to take account of additional demand.

The guideway does not have to be elevated; PRT can operate at grade (at ground level), or beneath the ground if the local system design requires it. The key factor is separation from other land use, as this is essential for non-stop journeys.

Pods are designed to be easily accessible to wheelchair users. Elevated stations would have elevator access. The system is also designed to be usable by people with impaired vision, as it has voice activated features.

This depends on passenger demand at that station.

Yes. PRT guideway has the same load bearing as a footbridge, which in most cases would allow pods to enter buildings without additional work to them. There are no emissions from pods as they are battery powered.

Yes. It is possible to add security features to the user interface so that only those with the right permissions could use certain stations. School stations, and staff stations in hospitals would be good examples of this.

The perception of safety is important to travellers, so Ultra – MTS would always recommend the use of railings. This will be essential for protection of maintenance staff. Designs of railings is a matter that can be decided by the commissioner of a system; it would be important that they harmonise well with their environment.

No, the guideway does not need dedicated space other than for its support columns. PRT can run above other transport, or alongside pathways, through parks, green areas; it can easily span rivers, canals, roads and railways.

It is possible to erect solid barriers on the edge of the guideway which would maintain privacy for those in adjacent houses and apartments if needed.