Notebook 5-7-2008
Imagine if the thousands traveling, for example, on the approaches to Karlskrona, instead arrive by PRT from every direction at the central train station. If discussed in relation to the preservation of the world heritage-listed naval port, then need to expand parking and roads in the Trossö district has drastically decreased.
Development. How about changing rush hour traffic jams
in Karlskrona into PRT? In addition, without having to
think as much about the search for adequate parking.
Photo: JANERIK HENRIKSSON / Scanpix |
The city of Karlskrona is anticipating huge growth. More and more companies are choosing to establish themselves in the city. City planners are describing continued great interest in the city. Stakeholders are many, pointing to projects that will last for many years to come.
Population growth is also good. There are more children, and more people are choosing to move into the city.
Blekinge Technical University is also expanding, and the future merger of the campus in Karlskrona means many students are moving into the city.
All this increases the requirements for transportation, requirements that will be in line with sustainable development. This is where Karlskrona may choose to continue to develop. The future of passenger transport is already here, the question is whether Karlskrona wants to be part of it.
Urbanization is a strong force in community development. It is a strong trend in Karlskrona, supplementing population, employment and the economy. This must be handled in some way. We must, as a city, create good conditions for business. An important part is access to a skilled workforce. This means cities also must be attractive to residents in areas of housing, transportation, recreation, culture, the environment, etc.
PRT is a part of this, because it offers a way to reduce the traffic created when the population's mobility is increasing. Through gradual development of PRT to create new infrastructure linking the important city routes for the population. This makes it easier for daily commutes on long stretches which creates conditions needed by business.
To introduce PRT does not mean that the importance of cars or other means of transport are in any way neglected. On the contrary, PRT provides needed additional capacity as city population grows and demand for rapid transit is increasing. What if it can alleviate traffic on a daily basis, for example, at the entries to the city.
Imagine if the thousands traveling, for example, at the entry to Karlskrona, instead arrive by PRT from every direction at the central train station. If discussed in relation to the preservation of the world heritage-listed naval port, then need to expand parking and roads in the Trossö district has drastically decreased.
Instead, the city had been able to invest in the preservation and extension of the unique environment it has with all the opportunities it provides for a good living environment.
Environmentally PRT stands in a class of its own. The effect on the environment when it builds out a network is minimal compared to the heavy load on the environment of the road network.
A PRT network is completely electric, which creates a basis for operation by all the renewable sources that exist, such as wind, water and even solar power when the roofs of PRT easily can be equipped with solar panels.
PRT with its high technology ties to other regions at speeds not previously possible, can easily be achieved.
Thanks to the strength and flexibility in the system speeds of 200 km/h can be easily achieved.
This means that distance is shrinking and it is no longer a question of where you live, or if you have a driver's license, which will decide if we can take it to work or school. At the same time, the system involves a high level of individuality.
The time is past when a large part of travel is waiting for the next train or bus. PRT will, through its unique system, be available within one minute, and then the passenger directly goes to where he wishes, without a single stop.
From a gender perspective PRT involves a better quality of life for women where the risk of harassment will be frustrated by this new way to travel. Families may also be better off when daily commutes are drastically reduced, which gives more time for children after a long day at work.
Overall, there where many factors that support a creative discussion regarding an extension of PRT. On May 16 there will be a seminar in Karlskrona, to discuss and evaluate the opportunities here for PRT. This is when Karlskrona, like many other cities around the world, will see the potential. Uppsala built a test facility, Dubai is planning to introduce a system and in London are plans to build PRT at Heathrow Airport.
The question is not whether PRT is the future. The question is instead if Karlskrona wants to be involved in this important step for sustainable development.
Tommy Olsson
Christian Democrat, Karlskrona
Thomas Brindefalk Knutsson
Christian Democrat, Karlskrona
Roger Poka
Green Party, Karlskrona