The ParkShuttle is an automated people mover connecting the Rotterdam metro station Kralingse Zoom with the Rivium business park in the neighbouring new town of Capelle aan den IJssel. The initial decision to implement the ParkShuttle transportation system was taken in 1995. The goal of the pilot was to proof that at the same expense, a better service and higher frequency could be achieved - making (public) transportation a more attractive alternative for car drivers.
On December 1 2005 Dutch prime-minister Balkenende opened the second generation application, featuring six group rapid transit vehicles, an extended trajectory of two kilometre and five additional stops.
Jan Peter Balkenende in the ParkShuttle 2005-12-01
From February 1999 to November 2001, three ParkShuttle vehicles operated on the 1300-meter single lane trajectory between Kralingse Zoom and Rivium. Bi-directional travel was enabled by means of three passing locations. An highway is intersected by means of a tunnel, while a major artery is crossed by a specially constructed (single lane) bridge. A journey lasted approximately four minutes.
The anticipatated required capacity was exceeded because of expansions of the business park. At the same time the capacity was restricted by the number and size of the vehicles in combination with the single lane infrastructure. The succes of the system prompted the decision in December 2001 to upgrade the system from its' pilot status.
In phase II, the trajectory has been extended and the number of stations increased to five - significantly reducing walking distances for employees and making the system more attractive to use. The 1800-meter track has three stops within business park Rivium. A new stop has been created to service business park Brainpark III and the residential suburb Fascinatio. The dedicated infrastructure, installed at grade, is now dual lane (with exception of the forementioned tunnel and bridge). Several at grade crossings with pedestrian and car traffic are realized.
ParkShuttle track Kralingse Zoom - Rivium
In Phase II the number of vehicles is doubled to six. The capacity of the vehicles increased to twenty passengers. The quality was also improved by applying state-of-the-art automotive know-how and technology. The vehicles are more reliable, comfortable, silent and faster. During peak-hours all vehicles are operational, on-schedule, based on a 2,5 minute interval. The scheduled service ensures the capacity is optimally used, while the on-demand operations in off-peak hours ensure the passenger service is maximized.
ParkShuttles at Rivium business park, Capelle aan den IJssel
The vehicles most striking feature is undoubtedly the absence of a driver. The ParkShuttle uses a combination of on board digitals maps, odometry and magnets in the road for guidance, much like its taller brother, the Phileas Bus Rapid Transit system operating in the Dutch city of Eindhoven. This priciple is called Free Ranging On Grid or FROG-technology, developed by FROG/2getthere. The system has continuous longitudinal and lateral position calculations, ensuring external influences, such as wind, are automatically corrected. The passive reference points merely serve to improve the accuracy even further (4 cm or less at 80km/h).
ParkShuttle on the bridge spanning a major artery
The electronic guidance is not dependent on any physical infrastructure. It does not require any physical guidance (rail) or guiding infrastructure elements (kerbs and/or walls), ensuring complete liberty in design and allowing for at-grade crossings. Advanced safety systems, such as the obstacle detection systems, ensure safe operations. Each vehicle is equipped with short (ultrasonic) and long range (laser) detection systems. The sensors create a sensory shield, serving as a virtual bumper enabling the vehicle to make a controlled stop prior to contact with obstacles. Upon early detection the 'caution' signal is activated, allowing the vehicle to gradually reduce speed; as the vehicle approaches the obstacle and reaches a pre-set distance, the 'stop' signal is activated, bringing the vehicle to a full stop. When the obstacle is no longer present, the vehicle will automatically resume operation and speed up to the set speed.
Why use such an advanced system? On average the driver is responsible for 50-60% of the operation costs of bus public transport in the Netherlands. Besides the obvious financial benefit, the service-level of the system is also better (and more flexible).
In December 2005 a collision occurred during system start-up. As the incident occurred during system start-up there were no passengers involved. The investigation and the second-opinion have shown that an unfortunate concurrence of circumstances is the cause of the accident. After a communication failure in the system an operator error (unjustly twice releasing the same zone by a wrong manual input) was made during restart, erroneously granting permission to two vehicles to enter the same traffic zone. Connexxion and 2getthere haven taken measures in both system and procedures to prevent occurrence of a similar situation in the future.
Early February, just before the service would restart, a fire in the ParkShuttle garage destroyed one vehicle and severely damaged another while the two remaining vehicles suffered substantial smoke damage, halting services further. The operations are expected resume the 27th January 2007, with testing commencing during the fall of 2006.
To date the ParkShuttle Rivium application is the only application realized. Based on the characteristics the ParkShuttle appears to fill a niche in the public transport market, but whether this will materialize remains to be seen. Realisation of additional applications will be instrumental. The incidents are unfortunate, but can be overcome in time. Once the system is in full service it will be able to proof its value to passengers, the operator and citizens alike.
ParkShuttle II demonstration during the ENTP conference June 2005 in Capelle aan den IJssel
| Vehicle | ParkShuttle |
| Propulsion | central AC motor |
| Energy supply | batteries or hybrid drive |
| Vehicle length | 5000 - 6000 mm |
| Vehicle width | 2100 mm |
| Vehicle height | 2750 mm |
| Minimum radius | 12 - 15 m |
| Maximum speed | 40 km/h |
| Seats | 8 - 12 |
| Standing facilities | 4 - 8 |
| Range | 100 km |
| Infrastructure | |
| Track construction | max wheel pressure 2000 kg |
| Width single lane | 2500 mm |
| Width double lane | 6000 mm |
