Passenger transportation system for self-guided vehicles

Abstract

A transportation system for moving passengers comprising a plurality of terminals interconnected by a track network, upon which are supported a plurality of independent and individual self-guided vehicles. Each terminal has a plurality of Automated Ticketing machines (ATMs) for automated bank account or credit line debiting and for producing passenger tickets with coded destination information. Each vehicle has a body for carrying up to two passengers, wheels for supporting and moving the vehicle, driving and braking means, a wireless data link, and a Vehicle Control and Data Processing Computer (VCDPC). Each VCDPC reads the coded destination information on a passengr's ticket, computes a travel route, controls the driving and braking means, and stores operating data. Each vehicle also has mounted thereto an Identification and scanning Device (ISD), carrying vehicle identity information and operating under the control of the VCDPC. Other ISDs are positioned at a number of fixed locations in the track network and carry unique location identity information. Vehicle mounted ISDs are capable of detecting and reading the ISDs at each fixed location when in close proximity thereto, thereby providing vehicle location and direction of movement information to the VCDPC. A Master Contorl and Data Processing Computer (MCDPC), location at a fixed fixed, has a wireless data link to access all VCDPCs to obtain the travel route and current location of each vehicle and to issue vehicle commands. The MCDPC is also interconnected with each ISD at a fixed location in the track network in order to obtain backup data revealing the location of all vehicles. The MCDPC is also interconnected with each ATM at each terminal to obtain passenger travel demand data, to computer an optimal travel route for all vehicles in use, and to route vehicles that are not currently is use to terminals having higher passenger demand.