LHR PRT signage at MCF (?), level two, T5 parking ramp, w/ N end of ramp to left.  Approximate area behind construction wall = three bays E/W x seven and 1/3 bays N/S, certainly enough for MCF, N/S bay = approx. 24', E/W bay = approx. 48'.  Again impressive refinement on PRT 2000, which required approx. 18' repair bays for lifts of passenger compartment from undercarriage.  This height -- approx. 8' to cross beams,  approx. 9' to ceiling.  Note lighting beyond construction wall.


This may be one of the most important selling points for ULTra PRT, Ltd.  Imagine the suburban activity center in which PRT might leverage existing line-haul assets to begin/end trips, as well as circulate people within the activity network.  Notionally this is thought of as the line-haul interchange station, three or four hotels, two or three office buildings and a couple of stops at the local convention center.  


One of the key selling points for PRT is convenience for riders.  Part of this arises from the off-line stations, which enable non-stop, o/d travel.  While PRT certainly could provide crowd-movement at grade level, in a suburban center, with ground at a premium, we will most likely see grade-separated systems in which PRT will zip along at 15' or more over the ground.  This creates an opportunity for the hotel, office and convention center to design second-floor stations.  The benefits of this are manifest.  


Once the system is at height, the less dropping and rising the better for the engines.  Also, a uniform guideway is relatively less expensive than a guideway that has frequent ups and downs.  


Equally important are the human factors.  If access is distributed over two floors, grade for cars and second floor for PRT, arrival can be made that much more humane.  Entering and alighting take place indoors, without weather access to the riders, vehicles and interiors, while the mainline runs parallel to the building outside.  This makes the "no coat" scenario achievable (a convention-goer could pass her entire stay indoors, increasing convenience).  


But for all of this to happen, a developer, or a property manager with a long-term commitment, or the transit property itself has to make a deal for the leaseable square footage that is removed from inventory.


And-- the system has to fit.  PRT 2000 would have required two floors because of its depth below access floor -- doubling claimed inventory.  What you see in the photo above is a system that fits in a high-rise floor.  This is no mean feat and ULTra PRT deserves considerable credit for achieving it.