- Lester's PRT system is called SkyWeb Express. He's built the software for it and a prototype of the pod it would use, and he's got engineering drawing for the rest of the system. All he needs is a customer.
Here's your problem, summed down to one word: Personal pods is a great idea. The benefits are definitely there. But adding yet another layer of costly, completely separate infrastructure is just not worth the cost. Because even though this thing doesn't need a very good road, it does need a separate 'road' to drive on. Infrastructure projects are expensive. The only way to make this work is if you can utilize the already existent, extensive road network. Which is the reason I wouldn't be surprised if in a decade or so, self-driving vehicles will become popular in a form very similar to PRT. Of all the people I've talked to about self-driving cars, there are a lot who think it'll get its own, complete infrastructure. I just don't see that happen.All he needs is a customer.
elevated
It will but not upfront and not a completely separate networks. Probably will start with self-driving only lanes that can move more cars and, once proven, dedicated expressways to reduce traffic in key areas (likely just reclaimed roads that weren't used much at first). Once you prove that self-driving cars can increase capacity and safety if there's no drivers to get in the way they will start getting roads. Of all the people I've talked to about self-driving cars, there are a lot who think it'll get its own, complete infrastructure. I just don't see that happen.
Writing this off because of driverless cars doesn't seem reasonable to me. It's a completely different system, presumably more environmentally friendly, and also less prone to traffic problems. I'm guessing it would also be a lot cheaper to use.