Duke University Medical Center Patient Rapid Transit
Transport system in Duke University Medical Center / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Duke University Medical Center Patient Rapid Transit or Personnel Rapid Transit (PRT) was an automated people mover system located at the Duke University Medical Center in North Carolina, in the United States.[1] The system was in operation from 1979 to 2009.[2] The PRT was notable for having cars propelled by a linear induction motor and suspended on a bed of compressed air[3] similar to a hovercraft. Uniquely, the cars could move sideways, as well as backwards and forwards.[3]
Personnel Rapid Transit | |
---|---|
Overview | |
Locale | Durham, NC, US |
Transit type | People mover |
Number of stations | 3 |
Operation | |
Began operation | 1979-12-08 |
Ended operation | 2009 |
Operator(s) | Duke University |
Number of vehicles | 3 |
Technical | |
Track gauge | concrete guideway |
The proclaimed "horizontal elevator" system was designed by Otis Elevator Company during the 1970s, installed beginning in 1977 and opened on December 8, 1979. The PRT had three driverless Otis Hovair vehicles[4] which had a hinged-window at each end for emergency exit.[5]
The concrete guideway was built as double track, connecting the three stations at Duke South, Duke North and Parking Garage II via a tunnel under Erwin Road.[6]