Morgantown Personal Rapid Transit

The Morgantown personal rapid transit project was started on a too-tight development schedule by a now-defunct research department of the U.S. Department of Transportation. Some observers believe the project was poorly designed because it was rushed to completion before the U.S. presidential election.

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In 1974, Boeing began construction of the first major PRT project in Morgantown, West Virginia, designed for West Virginia University. WVU's original campus consists of two disconnected parcels located in the valley of the Monongahela River. It proved impossible to build nearby in the narrow valley. WVU expanded to a separate parcel above the valley.

Related Topics:
1974 - Boeing - Morgantown, West Virginia - West Virginia University - Monongahela River

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The WVU PRT has been in continuous operation since 1975, with about 15,000 riders per day (as of 2003). The system uses about 70 vehicles, with an advertised capacity of 20 people each (8 seated, the rest standing). The system connects the university's disjointed campus using 5 stations (Walnut, Beechurst, Engineering, Towers, Medical) and a 4 mile (6 km) track. The vehicles are rubber-tired and powered by electrified rails. Steam heating keeps the elevated guideway free of snow and ice. Most students habitually use it. This system was not sold to other sites because the heated track has proven too expensive.

Related Topics:
1975 - As of 2003

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The Morgantown system demonstrates automated control, but authorities no longer consider it a true PRT system. Its vehicles are too heavy and carry too many people. During off-peak hours (primarily evenings and weekends), it does not operate in a point to point fashion for individuals or small groups, running instead like an automated people mover or elevator from one end of the line to the other. It therefore has reduced capacity utilization compared to true PRT. Morgantown vehicles weigh several tons and run on the ground for the most part, with higher land costs than true PRT.

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