The test track built by VECTUS in Uppsala, Sweden, is a key component of VECTUS PRT development. The site selection was based on the availability of communications, the possibility to test in winter conditions, internationally recognized authorities for complementary approvals and university and industrial structure available.

The test track configuration was carefully selected to be as small as possible but still with the capability of proving all aspects of the full scale system. The track layout has an outer loop of 300 meters, allowing speeds up to 12.5 m/s, and a station-track of 100 meters with a two-berth station. The station-track is designed be long enough to allow merge operations at full speed.

The test track has been designed, built and commissioned with a group of Swedish and English companies as the key sub-suppliers. The authority approval has also been on-going from the very beginning with the Swedish Railway Authority, with the same process required when building, for example, a new metro system. Finalization of the commissioning, safety case and various testing led to an approval of the safety case in December 2007, approval for test runs with visitors in March 2008, and full approval with multiple vehicles and third party passengers in September 2008.

Prior to the test track being built, various studies had been conducted over several years. One important aspect of these studies was the overall control and the logistics solutions of a real system, using advanced simulation tools. Based on these studies, the key parameters for a commercially viable system were identified. From these system characteristics, the different sub-systems and key technologies were selected and for the selected areas, more studies were conducted through test rigs, simulators, scaled models etc. Most of these studies were conducted in Korea, England and Sweden.

It is noteworthy that VECTUS PRT development did not originate from a technical concept for e.g. track and vehicle, but rather from a rigorous top-down system engineering perspective with the complete system as the main focus, and with special considerations for safety and control aspects, also with considerations for sub-system and component selections available these criteria.

The test track is a complete and genuine representation of a full
scale system in particular concerning the advanced distributed, dynamic
moving block, asynchronous control system. The vehicles have been given
a realistic design in a real application, whereas the track and parts of the
electrical installations have been selected for ease of testing and quick
installation rather than a representation of the VECTUS idea of a commercial
system from an aesthetic point of view. A relatively small station with two berths
was built and it has most features to be able to test and evaluate different
strategies for efficient station utilization.

The main reason for choosing an in-track LIM (Linear Induction Motor) propulsion
system for the test track in Uppsala was the capability to handle snow and icy conditions
without any performance degradation. LIM gives the same thrust regardless of the available
friction between the running-wheel and the track, both in motoring as well as in braking. Additionally, the higher reliability and safety was obtained by eliminating the need of current collection system to transfer power to the vehicle.

The main purpose of the test track was to verify the technical design, and particularly the control aspects. It is not possible to carry out a complete safety case including verification and validation without actually building a system. Another key aspect has been the actual authority process itself, to indentify the “real” requirements for all aspects of a system. For example, there has been ample thought given to various passenger aspects, such as access for the disabled, guidance for the visually impaired, an example of a ticketing system, and complete passenger interface in the vehicles with displays, intercom, etc.

Long term performance is an important aspect of current effort at the site. Detailed modeling of the reliability and availability and life cycle cost were part of the design effort, which is now under verification. Obviously the test track is also an excellent marketing tool, and a very efficient way to present both PRT and VECTUS technology. The test track also provides a proving ground for continued development of VECTUS’ internal Research and Development as well as a proving-ground for being able to test client-specific modifications at an early stage.

• 

  Various Research and Development projects including test rigs, scaled models and simulators was done in Korea, UK and Sweden

• 

  The decision of building a full scale test track was made

• 

  Uppsala is selected as the site for test track and detailed planning commenced

• 

  Ground-breaking ceremony was held

• 

  First track sections were delivered

• 

  Running tests with one chassis started

• 

  First run around the outer loop was accomplished

• 

  Station building and the station track were finalized

• 

  First complete vehicle arrived on site

• 

  Demo runs for an audience at the PRT seminars held in Uppsala

• 

  Finalization of the commissioning and various testing which has led to an approval of the safety case

• 

  Approval for test runs with passengers

• 

  Approval with multiple vehicles with passengers