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Plans for the information screens at PRT screens and the information they’ll display are a "little loose" right now, said James Hatcher, senior systems programmer for the PRT at West Virginia University.
"We haven’t fully formulated a plan as to how we’re going to use them. We’re still learning how to program the things down here," he said. "The un-finalized plan will be we’re going to try to display information about the functioning PRT specifically."
He added that information like whether there is a problem with the PRT and when it is closed will probably be displayed on the screens.
But information about where the PRT is heading and when it will arrive will never become a function of the screens, he said.
"No matter what anybody tells you, that is not going to happen. The reason it can’t happen is it’s an automated system … and the decision to get a vehicle to go to a station is decided at the last second," Hatcher said.
"The way the control system works, which vehicle happens to open its door and where it’s going to go is not known until just an instant before it happens."
Hatcher said the PRT car must evaluate where it needs to go and whether there is a spot at the destination for the vehicle just before it is necessary.
"It turns out this is the most efficient way to do it," Hatcher said.
The PRT system is designed so information about a person’s destination is sent to a central computer system and organized by the time and the number of passengers who chose that destination, Hatcher said.
"If the number of passengers who chose the same destination is equal to or greater than 15, a vehicle will be assigned to that destination," he said.
"Likewise, if the first person at that queue is there longer than five minutes, it’s assigned to that destination."
PRT staff installed screens at each stop this past summer that will display information about daily operations.
The screens are based on the information stations that are in place across campus and at PRT stations, such as Towers Platform 1 and Health Sciences and currently have access to content from WVU’s News & Information Services, WVU’s Arts & Entertainment and U92 news.
The stations also provide real-time information about topics such as daily and special events, athletic schedules and Student Recreation Center programs, as well as providing information specific to their location.
"All information stations have access to the universal loop of news," said Dan Kim, director of News & Information Services. "At different information stations, it is possible to display special information for that station."
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