35-year-old PRT system improvements announced

Officials for the West Virginia University Department of Transportation and Parking have recently announced plans to modernize and improve the 35-year-old PRT system.

Improvements will occur within the next 12 to 24 months will include changing all of the on-board computer systems from analog to digital and developing a new propulsion system.

Routine maintenance and infrastructure improvements are planned to take place during this summer.

"The goal is to increase dependability and to make the PRT a more reliable system," said Arlie Forman, associate director for PRT administration.

Summer improvements include creating an uninterrupted power supply at the Medical PRT station, replacing a circuit breaker in the Evansdale switchyard and repairs to the bridges and boilers.

Forman said changing the on-board computer systems would save the University money on maintaining the computers.

"In addition, technical support for the system will be available. Customer service should improve through the increase in dependability," he said.

A few structural repairs also will be completed. These repairs include cleaning, steel replacement and welding on a limited number of structural elements.

"The structural repairs are not due to any safety issues. The repairs are a proactive measure to keep what is now a small project from becoming a larger and more costly project in the future," Forman said.

A majority of the projects will be completed by the end of October with the exception of the power supply at the Medical station, which will be installed in December when the PRT is not in service.

The onboard computer replacement will take place in the coming one to two years, and the computers will be installed in the PRT vehicles as they are received.

The first phase of the propulsion project should be completed by this December if the summer testing goes well, Forman said.

Gov. Caroline Sprenger, a Board of Governors member for the Student Government Association, said she was glad the improvements were being made so future generations of WVU students would also be able enjoy the PRT.

"Being able to have access to a transportation system that decreases on the amount of cars and the time it takes to get to campus will add a better experience for future students," she said.

"The PRT is something the campuses need because they are located all over, and students will benefit from it being there. But without improvements, they won't."