The Vectus PRT vehicle was the centre point of the ‘Pininfarina in London’ exhibition at the Italian Cultural Institute last week with a 1:18 scale model on display. The innovative PRT system utilises small, light and driverless vehicles, efficiently navigating on a network of interconnecting tracks. It is an ‘on demand’ service. Passengers are transported from one point to another on demand, without intermittent stops, consequently optimising travel time. The system is simple yet intuitive. 

The simple, clean design of the vehicles was intended by both Vectus and Pininfarina to insert the PRT harmoniously into the urban environment. The large windows, allowing passengers to enjoy the view, are integrated in a lightweight carbon fibre frame that can be customised with a choice of colours to complement the style of each urban location. Achieving simplicity and universality of the forms make the project suitable to be introduced in a diverse range of urban areas worldwide. Vectus also enlisted the expertise of the Pininfarina design team when considering the styling definition of stations and tracks.

Paolo Pininfarina, Chairman and CEO of Pininfarina Extra, comments, "This is a further step confirming Pininfarina’s commitment to sustainable mobility. The system, designed in collaboration with Vectus, will provide a low emission transport solution which is efficient, comfortable and excellent from the point of view of integration into the environment. In fact, the first application of our project will take place in the nature reserve of the Bay of Suncheon, South Korea in 2013".

Last year, Vectus began constructing a PRT track in South Korea's Suncheon Bay. The lightweight, electric transportation system is ideal for the coastal wetlands which require an effective and economical means of transportation for its many visitors that will not be detrimental to the environment.

Martin Pemberton, Sales and Marketing Director for Vectus, states, "We selected Pininfarina to work with us on creating the new vision for the PRT vehicle because we believe that their reputation as a world class design house for the transport industry is second to none. Together we have achieved excellent results and so Vectus looks forward to continuing this relationship in the future."

See also: http://www.pininfarina.it/en/vectus_personal_rapid_transit