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PRT closes for summer to continue with modernization plans

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http://www.thedaonline.com/news/article_244d5ff0-099e-11e5-8d0f-ab64982719d9.html


West Virginia University’s 40-year-old Personal Rapid Transit system will be undergoing renovations this summer, making it closed to passengers until August 10.

The major modernization ideas have been identified as the PRT Master Plan and the renovations project will contain multiple phases.

Nearly $21.7 million has been invested to advance phase one of the PRT’s modernization plan.

According to Arlie Forman, the associate director for transportation and parking, the project is presently being funded predominately by bond funds. However, project team members are pursuing discretionary funding opportunities through the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act, which is a low interest loan program, as well as the TIGER program, which is a joint commission between the Eberly College, the College of Engineering and the College of Human Resources focused on reinvigorating and furthering STEM programs at the graduate level.

Phase two of the project is expected to target the new design and replacement of the automatic train control system, replacement of substations and electrical gear and tunnel repairs. These renovations are estimated to cost $53 million. The second phase of renovations, if approved, will be financed through revenue bonds supported by WVU fees and federal grants. The final phase of renovations will focus on replacement cars and other miscellaneous PRT improvements.

According to Forman, the PRT was originally built using aerospace, aircraft and military components. These components include items such as fasteners, latches, electronic plugs, exotic metals and electromechanical items that are found throughout each PRT vehicle. However, these components are expected to be upgraded during the renovations project.

“We have found replacement parts for many of these specific parts which reduces maintenance costs,” Forman said.

Forman believes the amount of breakdowns currently associated with the PRT is related to the present train control system. The new system will include new vehicle controllers, wayside and station computer control equipment, central control equipment and fare gates with new destination selection units.

Forman said the renovations implemented in all phases of the project will make the PRT a more reliable mode of transportation following the completion of the renovations. Its reliability will be increased by a decline in the amount of downtime previously caused by antiquated components.

“It’s anticipated that the replacement of the automatic train controls system and replacement of the automatic fare collection system could reduce downtime events by 40 percent,” Forman said.

Forman said that a decrease in downtime will make transportation easier for WVU students, local residents and visitors.

“By reducing the frequency and/or length of downtime events the system should become more efficient,” Forman said.

Forman believes that there are many components necessary to form and ensure the success of a business model, such as the PRT renovations project.

“With all projects, accurate, timely and concise communications is the key,” Forman said. “Due to the enormous amount of information that needs to be shared, we have formed various working groups that depending on their specific task, meet weekly or monthly with formal presentations to the working group as a whole at predetermined milestones.”

The PRT opened in 1975 and since then has provided transportation to over 80 million passengers. The PRT connects WVU’s three campuses and has been the main source of transportation for students, residents and visitors to navigate through the Evansdale and Downtown campuses.

Throughout the summer, WVU will offer a shuttle service free to students to make up for the lack of transportation. The shuttle will run from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday with stops at Mountaineer Station, the Coliseum and Towers. The Mountainline bus schedule will keep normal summer operating hours.

The PRT will resume normal operations Monday, August 10.
 
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