Surface-guided transport systems of the future

The various possible means of rapid transport on which work is proceeding in various countries are described. These include means of very high-speed comfortable travel between towns (Advanced Passenger Train (APT) and Hovertrain), commuter travel (into and out of towns: Victoria Line, BART system) and, for more personal transport of small or larger groups within towns, computer-controlled tracked buses and taxis (Transurban, StaRRcar, Cabinentaxi, Dashaveyor, Monocab). For very short distances (e.g. for interchange), moving pavements are included (Speedaway). Private cars on motorways may, in due course, be subject to some form of automatic control, and travel along signal conductors embedded in the road or along its side (Commucar) is described. A brief mention is given of other less likely transport systems, such as travel in an evacuated tube beneath or above the ground. A comprehensive bibliography is included.