Automated Transit Dissected: An Overview of Lawrence J. Fabian’s Writings

Abstract

Lawrence J. Fabian (1945-2020) shared his expertise in automated public transportation, during a 40-year career, through his voluminous writings.  He defined automated transit as large, driverless vehicles operating on guide ways, with the primary potential benefit of high-frequency service.  One of his products was an annual, worldwide list of automated people movers (APMs).  The first, from the early 1980s, featured 20 operating lines.  By the 2000s, there were over 100 – today, there are over 200.  He introduced three APM classifications: architectural, institutional, and mass transit.  Architectural APMs operate within a single entity, such as an amusement park or airport.  Institutional APMs serve large developments, such as a resort center or district.  Mass transit APMs operate in an urban context. While his early APM lists were 50% architectural, 25% institutional, and 25% mass transit, there was a shift toward mass transit applications, particularly in Europe and Asia.  But, urban APM applications in the U.S. stalled after federal involvement during the 1970s and 1980s.  Fabian bemoaned the U.S. stagnation, while praising innovation and progress worldwide, noting the now-numerous driverless metros.  He suggested that private sector involvement might bring about more urban APMs in the U.S. A case study of the Las Vegas Monorail indicates, though, that it is difficult to keep a transit system afloat in the U.S. without government subsistence.  Another federal boost for driverless transit, now over 40 years since the Downtown People Mover Program, may be needed to bring U.S. urban APM use on par with that overseas. Minus this, the APM industry is nevertheless strong worldwide.