About Ed Anderson -
Dr. John Edward Anderson has focused his life & career to advancing technology through many avenues and led the pioneering effort to bring Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) into reality.
In 1982–83, five patents of Dr. Anderson was filed on a novel automated-vehicle transit system (supported by a $100K University of Minnesota grant), and in 1983 he co-founded ATS with University of Minnesota colleagues to develop this design, and built a small-vehicle, computer-controlled PRT concept (later branded Taxi 2000) that uses light-weight elevated guideways and linear-motor propulsion. By the mid-1980s the team had invested millions of dollars (in grants and private R&D) into validating the design – roughly $3.5M by 1989. Our system was engineered so that each pod follows a bypass track at stations and runs nonstop from origin to destination, maximizing speed and safety. Unlike earlier PRT prototypes, we emphasized economic and operational rigor so that “construction could begin tomorrow”.
In parallel with these projects, detailed computer modeling and control studies continued to be done, and by 2003, we could confidently say “we’re beyond the research and development stage – we can build it now”. We also organized three international PRT conferences (1971, 1973, 1975) to share learnings. Our published work (journals, books, patents) distilled “literally the best of past systems” into Taxi 2000.
Government & Industry Collaboration
Our journey involved close work with both industry and federal agencies. For example, we partnered with the Raytheon Company on system studies and co-financed our Chicago PRT project. On the government side, ATS/Taxi 2000 engaged the U.S. Department of Transportation and NASA early on.
In the late 1960s the Urban Mass Transportation Administration (UMTA, now the FTA) actually funded 17 advanced transit studies – including concepts very much like PRT – though later priorities shifted. Notably, we were invited into high-level discussions: in 1971 with Dr. Herb Richardson (then Chief Scientist at DOT) and White House science advisor Dr. Larry Goldmuntz.
Dr. Goldmuntz hosted a national PRT conference (with his keynote address) that year, and that White House project explicitly led to NASA outlining a “high-capacity PRT” program, in which we presentation at NASA Headquarters in September 1972.
White House archives show “Personal Rapid Transit Systems” on the UMTA agenda during Nixon’s term. In fact, after a 1972 White House directive UMTA agreed to expand PRT R&D (doubling its program) and, when UMTA was reluctant, NASA Huntsville was tasked to advance the technology. (President Nixon’s daughter Tricia even rode a Morgantown PRT test pod in 1972, highlighting national interest.)
Although large-scale federal funding eventually waned, these collaborations cemented PRT’s role in the national dialogue. More recently, state and transit agencies have revisited PRT – for example, Michigan Tech and Illinois DOT studies have been launched on modern PRT networks. Throughout, ATS has stayed connected: former Taxi 2000 engineers have advised new PRT teams around the world. Our early prototypes and safety studies are still cited today as proof of concept for automated podcar systems.
Company Impact & Vision
Today we present our company history and research as a testament to PRT’s promise. Automated Transportation Systems was among the first U.S. firms dedicated to automated, demand-responsive transit. Our work demonstrated that a PRT network – with personal-sized vehicles and ubiquitous service – could dramatically reduce congestion, pollution, and cost.
As one federal report noted, such PRT systems occupy only “a small fraction of urban land” and can pay for themselves from fare revenue. We remain convinced that an automated personal transit network is “an essential technology for a sustainable world”, to quote one former federal official.
At ATS (and later Taxi 2000), our early successes – from filing key patents and building prototypes to engaging the White House – laid groundwork for today’s smart-city transit strategies. My LinkedIn network includes many engineers and planners who say, “if PRT ever takes off, it will be thanks to pioneers like you.” We continue to share our designs and lessons learned, hoping that future investments will finally realize the PRT vision we fought to develop.
Key Milestones & Innovations
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1982: We filed five patents for the core PRT technology and received a $100K development grant from the University of Minnesota.
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1983: ATS was officially formed as a private company to develop our PRT system. Recruited engineers and students full-time for PRT R&D (leaving a university committee when collaboration fell through).
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1986: Under new leadership (Stuart Watson as Chairman, Judd Berlin President), ATS was renamed Taxi 2000 Corporation, and we continued vehicle and control development.
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1993–95: Our Taxi 2000 design was chosen by the Chicago-area RTA and Raytheon for a major PRT demonstration. The RTA awarded an initial $18M contract (with $20M co-investment from Taxi 2000/Raytheon) to build a prototype system. Raytheon built a test track in Massachusetts and ran vehicles in 1995, validating our small-vehicle concept.
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2003: We unveiled the Skyweb Express prototype (a single 3-person pod on a 60-foot guideway) at the Minnesota State Fair, the first public demonstration of our linear-induction PRT vehicle (covering 1.4 miles on one charge).
The acronym PRT (Personal Rapid Transit) was formally introduced in the 1970s by our engineer, Dr. John Edward Anderson, NASA scientist, Aerospace rocket engineer, MIT graduate, professor, author, and inventor of the first US patented PRT system, the Intelligent Transportation Network System (ITNS), or Eco pods for short. Dr. Anderson was responsible for developing the patents, intellectual property, computer program control system, station operations for multiple pods/vehicles in networks, the calculations for guideways curved in three dimensions to ride-comfort standards, studies on the dynamics of transit vehicles, economic analysis of the systems, and calculations of transit ridership.
Modernized for contemporary use as Eco, ITNS aims to reshape behaviors in rural, suburban, and
urban areas, enhancing the lives of state residents. Dr. Anderson's contributions extend beyond ITNS,
encompassing numerous patents, designs, associations, committees, systems, professional courses,
papers, companies, and books, all dedicated to advancing transit technology for the betterment of
humanity and our planet.
During the 1980s, Dr. Anderson provided consultancy on planning, ridership analysis, and design for
the Colorado Regional Transportation District, Raytheon Company, the German joint venture
DEMAG+MBB, and the state of Indiana. His expertise in new transit concepts led to widespread
lecturing, including tours sponsored by the United States Information Agency and the US Department
of State. He also taught courses on transit systems analysis and design to transportation professionals
in the U.S. and Europe and conducted PRT planning studies, including simulations of PRT and
automated baggage-handling systems.
Dr. Anderson authored the textbook "Transit Systems Theory" (D. C. Heath, Lexington Books), utilized
in his course "Transit Systems Analysis and Design," which has attracted not only engineering
students but also a broader audience around the world.
He initiated and led the development of a high-capacity ITNS system through five stages: planning,
design, costing, construction, and updates. Independently, he assembled a team of engineers and
managers from major firms in the Boston area to advance his High-Capacity ITNS system. His efforts
caught the attention of the Northeastern Illinois Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) and Raytheon
Company, leading to an ITNS development program and a $1.5M PRT design study by Stone &
Webster Engineering Corporation.
In the late '80s, the RTA awarded Dr. Anderson an $18 million contract to build a prototype system to evaluate the technology's safety and reliability. The University of Minnesota supported Dr. Anderson with a $500,000 patent development grant and holds five of his related patents.
The Intellectual Property Owners Foundation recognized Dr. Anderson as an Outstanding American Inventor for his ITNS patents. He received the George Williams Fellowship Award and the MPIRG Public Citizen Award for his public service.
His work resulted in his system being the preferred technology for the Greater Cincinnati Area by Forward Quest. Dr. Anderson was named a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science for his PRT work.
The Minnesota Alliance of Peacemakers listed Anderson as a Citizens for Global Solutions member and honored him as a Lifetime Member of the Advanced Transit Association. He received the Charles W. Britzius Distinguished Engineer award from the Minnesota Federation of Engineering, Scientific, and Technical Societies.
The Aerospace Corporation presented him with its "Technical Excellence Award" for his contributions. The Aerospace Corporation honored him with the "Technical Achievement Recognition" for his lifelong dedication to advancing transportation technology.
Dr. Anderson has written over 100 technical papers, three books, and is cited in 36 biographical references for his work. He is featured in the publications 'Who's Who in America' and 'Who's Who in the World.' Dr. Anderson is regarded as the godfather of Personal Rapid Transit, and his family is carrying on the legacy by advancing the transit system to ensure high-quality transportation for everyone.
