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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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