Patent ID: 6249724
Filing Date: 2001-06-19
Classification: G05D,G08G

Abstract:
A computer system for controlling a mass transport roadway system having internally powered, wheeled, transport vehicles with both manual controls enabling an operator to drive the vehicles on a surface street and an on-board computer (OBC) system in individual ones of the vehicles enabling software control of at least vehicle steering and velocity, and a controlled roadway system having a roadway surface upon which the transport vehicles run on their own internal power on the same wheels as on surface streets, the computer system comprising:a master computer managing access to and movement of vehicles on the controlled roadway; andindividual on-board computers (OBCs) in individual ones of the transport vehicles;an Internet connection enabling the master computer to host a Web page accessible to the users of the transport vehicles for negotiating trip Itineraries for transport vehicles on the controlled roadway;characterized in that, while traveling on surface streets transport vehicles are controlled by operator input to the OBC, and while traveling on the controlled roadway, the transport vehicles are under control of the master computer, and in that the master computer controls a destination for transport vehicles based on the association of itineraries negotiated on the Web page with vehicles on the controlled roadway.