MnDOT's Personal Rapid Transit Workshop

Register HERE.

The "tentative draft agenda"

PERSONAL RAPID TRANSIT WORKSHOP
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2010
RADISSON METRODOME
MINNEAPOLIS, MN

TENTATIVE DRAFT AGENDA

Updated Purpose: The purpose of this workshop is to share responses to Mn/DOT’s request for PRT information and to allow participants to understand PRT benefits and barriers to its implementation. Workshop participants will also discuss next steps in exploring the viability of PRT in Minnesota, including principles to guide PRT service implementation, financing options, and organizational and governance approaches.

8:00 a.m. Registration and Continental Breakfast

8:30 a.m. Welcome and Opening Comments
• Tom Sorel, Commissioner, Mn/DOT
• Tim Henkel, Division Director, Mn/DOT
• Derrell Turner, Division Administrator, FHWA
• Jeff Hamiel, Executive Director, Metropolitan Airports Commission
• Met Council Representative

9:15 a.m. Workshop Goals and Context & Summary of RFI Responses
• Mukhtar Thakur, Mn/DOT

10:00 a.m. RFI Responders Comments & Reactions from Attendees

11:00 a.m. Break

11:15 a.m. Policy Issues Panel Discussion
Moderator: Tim Henkel, Mn/DOT

Panelists
• Representative Frank Hornstein, State Legislator
• Barb Thoman, Transit for Livable Communities
• Steve Elkins, Bloomington City Council
• Dennis Sweet, Citizens for PRT

12:30 p.m. Lunch & Keynote Presentation
• Curt Johnson, Citistates Group

1:30 p.m. Facilitated Group Discussions
• Ferrol Robinson, HHH Institute

(Informal breaks)

3:30 p.m. Summary Comments and Next Steps
• Ferrol Robinson
• Mukhtar Thakur

4:00 p.m. Adjourn

Pod Lobbyist Ed Cain Also Lobbyist for Shady Navy Vets Charity

Read about it at Dump Bachmann.



This in addition to other news about pod flops and fiascos:

ULTra PRT Heathrow Debut Postponed a Fourth Time.

No $25 million earmark for PRT pork project in Winona, Minnesota.

The Swedish/Korean PRT prototype malfunctioned recently in front of the media.

The Masdar PRT (actually computer-guided golf carts that follow magnets imbedded in the roadway) has been scaled way back, This setback got a mention in the NY Times and confirmed in this Bloomberg article.

The much-hyped PRT project in Daventry ended in fiasco.

The so-called Morgantown PRT (it's a mundane people-mover) was the subject of a student newspaper editorial after a malfunction created a "fireball" and filled a vehicle with smoke. The cost of fixing the Morgantown boondoggle is $93 million.

ULTra PRT Heathrow Debut Postponed a Fourth Time

It was supposed to totally, definately launch in June (click on screenshot to make it bigger)



Well it's June and we get this info, not from the two ULTra websites, but a tweet from the PRT Guru that links to his website where we find this statement:

June 2010: It appears ULTra will not meet its previously-announced June opening date at London’s Heathrow Airport. BAA has issued the following statement: "The Heathrow pod is innovative technology and we have always said that the system will be launched when it is ready to do so. The system, as well as being a world first, is bespoke [customized] to fit into existing airport infrastructure and the process of completing this is informing our decision about the launch date. Testing is continuing and we anticipate that the system will officially launch in the near future."

The statement as it now appears on the ULTra PRT website:

Latest Schedule

"The Heathrow pod is innovative technology and we have always said that the system will be launched when it is ready to do so. The system, as well as being a world first, is bespoke (custom-made) to fit into existing airport infrastructure and the process of completing this is informing our decision about the launch date. Testing is continuing and we anticipate that the system will officially launch in the near future." - BAA's schedule statement, June 2010.

This is the 4th or 5th postponement for the glorified golf carts of Heathrow.

How may chances do the PRT guys get?



Review of recent, dreary pod news:

No $25 million earmark for PRT pork project in Winona, Minnesota.

The Swedish/Korean PRT prototype malfunctioned recently in front of the media.

The Masdar PRT (actually computer-guided golf carts that follow magnets imbedded in the roadway) has been scaled way back, This setback got a mention in the NY Times and confirmed in this Bloomberg article.

The much-hyped PRT project in Daventry ended in fiasco.

The so-called Morgantown PRT (it's a mundane people-mover) was the subject of a student newspaper editorial after a malfunction created a "fireball" and filled a vehicle with smoke. The cost of fixing the Morgantown boondoggle is $93 million.

MnDOT Wastes Federal and State Money Promoting Personal Rapid Transit (PRT)

The MN GOP always says it's for reining in spending, but the Republicans have no problem spending thousands of dollars on a notorious transportation boondoggle - Personal Rapid Transit (PRT).

MnDOT has given me the following statement regarding MnDOT expenditures for PRT:

Currently, we have an Office of Multi-Modal Innovation, under which PRT falls. The annual budget for that office is about $130,000. PRT is one of a number of issues that this office manages. Also, we spent approximately $25,000 on the Rochester PRT event and anticipate spending about $20,000 on a similar event later this summer. Both federal and state dollars fund all of these efforts.

I mentioned the fact that the Legislature does not approve of MnDOT wasting money on PRT. MnDOT responded with this statement:

As to your statement regarding Legislative guidance on PRT, studying innovation and conducting research on all modes of transportation is an important part of what we do as we prepare for future transportation needs and how those needs may affect the highway system. The Legislature understands that. It has never given us specific direction to not study PRT.

That is apparently not true. Here are some quotes stating the contrary:

Both Hornstein and Sen. Scott Dibble, who head the transit subcommittees in each chamber, said the Winona proposal has no chance of state funding. "They're not going to get nickel one of public money while I'm around," Dibble said.

Said Hornstein: "If people in the private sector want to pursue it, fine. But even a penny spent on it in these tough budget times is problematic."

Reporters need to ask MN GOP candidates running for office this year whether they approve of MnDOT wasting taxpayers money on PRT. Michele Bachmann and Tom Emmer have both supported PRT in the MN Legislature. Tim Pawlenty has also said he approves of public funding for PRT. Republicans candidates in Winona are divided.

One DFL candidate, Yvonne Prettner-Solon supported PRT in 2004. Reporters need to ask Senator Prettner-Solon whether she still supports public funding for PRT.

No PRT at the Mall of America

There were some news reports on the internets a while back that PRT was coming to the MOA.

Seems that that won't be happening.

Here's the latest from Bill James, the Jpods guy (click on the letter to make it bigger):



Bummer - you won't be able to "pimp your own pod" at the MoA:



Review of recent, dreary pod news:

No $25 million earmark for PRT pork project in Winona, Minnesota.

The ULTra PRT launch at Heathrow has been delayed at least 3 times. The new launch date of the glorified golf carts of Heathrow is some time this month.

The Swedish/Korean PRT prototype malfunctioned recently in front of the media.

The Masdar PRT (actually computer-guided golf carts that follow magnets imbedded in the roadway) has been scaled way back. This setback got a mention in the NY Times.

The much-hyped PRT project in Daventry ended in fiasco.

The so-called Morgantown PRT (it's a mundane people-mover) was the subject of a student newspaper editorial after a malfunction created a "fireball" and filled a vehicle with smoke. The cost of fixing the Morgantown boondoggle is $93 million.

MnDOT Publishes List of Respondents

Posted on MnDot's transit page:

List of respondents to Mn/DOT’s Personal Rapid Transit Viability and Benefits Request for Information (PDF here)

MnDOT is planing a workshop "tentatively in July or August" to discuss the responses and something they are calling the "PRT Alliance"

Mark Dayton Picks Pod Person for Running Mate

State Senator Yvonne Prettner Solon was a co-sponsor of PRT legislation with Michele Bachmann.

Watch Prettner Solon testify about the amazing awesome-ness of pods mid-way in this video clip:



DFL-endorsed gubernatorial candidate Margaret Anderson Kelliher in Session Weekly. April 23, 2004 (PDF):

I have a great concern about the PRT project - the word "boondoggle comes to mind.

Margaret Anderson Kelliher was right in 2004 about the pods and six years later, MAK is still right.

Review....

No $25 million earmark for PRT pork project in Winona, Minnesota.

The ULTra PRT launch at Heathrow has been delayed at least 3 times. The new launch date of the glorified golf carts of Heathrow is some time next month.

The Swedish/Korean PRT prototype malfunctioned recently in front of the media.

The Masdar PRT (actually computer-guided golf carts that follow magnets imbedded in the roadway) has been scaled way back. This setback got a mention in the NY Times.

The much-hyped PRT project in Daventry ended in fiasco.

The so-called Morgantown PRT (it's a mundane people-mover) was the subject of a student newspaper editorial after a malfunction created a "fireball" and filled a vehicle with smoke. The cost of fixing the Morgantown boondoggle is $93 million.