Vehicle Overview
The ULTra Heathrow vehicle design.
The ULTra vehicle features an iconic streamlined appearance, the result of extensive product design and customer-focused research. Since 1995, ULTra PRT has progressed through several generations of vehicle design, to arrive at the sleek and robust vehicle now used in the London Heathrow application.
Capacity
A standard ULTra vehicle is fitted with two large bench seats, capable of carrying 4-6 passangers, with ample space for other items such as shopping, pushchairs and luggage. The total carrying capacity is 450 kg (1,000 lbs). The vehicles can easily accommodate bicycles and wheelchairs, and are designed to meet access requirements for both the UK (Disability Discrimination Act, DDA) and the US (Americans with Disabilities Act, ADA) - see the Accessibility page for further information.
An example of an ULTra vehicle interior; this option is fitted with four contoured seats, with room for shopping, pushchairs or luggage. The vehicles can also easily accommodate bicycles and wheelchairs.
The vehicle is designed to make the passenger feel safe, secure, and comfortable at all times.
Passenger Comfort & Security
The personal nature of the ULTra experience ensures that passengers feel safe and secure at all times. Passengers have exclusive use of their vehicles and travel only with chosen companions - once a passenger journey starts, the vehicle does not stop to pick up other passengers. Furthermore, vehicles are continuously monitored by CCTV during use. Passengers may contact the system controller at any time, and the controller can talk to the passengers, see them via onboard CCTV, and respond to any concerns immediately.
Air-conditioning and heating systems provide passenger comfort during journeys, and can be adapted to suit the most extreme environments. The vehicle controls, lighting and information systems are designed to the latest standards to aid usability, with optional in-vehicle media systems to provide entertainment if desired.
For further details, please see the pages on the user benefits of the ULTra system.
An ULTra vehicle under construction.
Construction
ULTra vehicles are four wheeled with rubber pneumatic tires, front-wheel steering and conventional damped spring suspension. They comprise an aluminum ladder frame chassis on which the majority of the vehicle propulsion and guidance equipment is mounted. Sitting on top of the chassis is an aluminum honeycomb floor. The above floor level is constructed of a steel frame and an ABS panel body that can be fitted with single side or double side electric doors.
Guidance and Power
ULTra vehicles use a laser sensor system to guide the vehicles on the guideway and in the stations. Vehicles are in constant wireless communication with the control center, but can navigate fully autonomously if communications is disrupted.
ULTra vehicles have a very low energy usage of 0.15 kWh/vehicle-km at 40 kph (25 mph). Vehicles are charged via electrical contacts at station berths, or at offline waiting points. Power is currently stored in lead-acid batteries, which allow for rapid charging (up to 150amps) and are easily recyclable. The vehicles are designed to be upgradable to future energy-storage technologies such as hydrogen fuel cells, ultracapacitors, flywheels, and different battery chemistries.
See the Configuration & Features and Vehicle Specifications pages for more details about vehicle construction and subsystems.
See the Control Systems page for an operational overview of the ULTra control system.
Videos
The ULTra passenger experience