Patent ID: 7258309

Claim:
A system for automatic and guided transport of people, the system comprising: at least one running track having means for guiding transport modules, each transport module being constituted by a single self-propelled vehicle or a self-propelled vehicle associated with one or more other transport vehicles; an electric power supply system comprising a sequence of power supply blocks; electric self-propelled transport modules travelling individually along the running track and fitted with collector means that collect electric power supplied by the power supply blocks; and electric power distribution means comprising switch means which supply said electric power to various power supply blocks and which are controlled by a central control unit managing the progress of the transport modules by causing the various power supply blocks to selectively be in a powered state, in which electric power is applied to a power supply block, and an unpowered state, in which no electric power is applied to the power supply block, the presence of a transport module on a power supply block preventing power being applied to one or more blocks situated behind the block that is occupied so as to maintain a safety distance between the various transport modules travelling independently along the track, wherein each transport module is provided with a fixed onboard controller that controls starting acceleration, cruising speed, and deceleration, both while slowing down and while braking, of the transport module, each transport module being powered when a voltage on one or more electric power supply conductors is provided from a power supply block in the powered state, said transport modules moving automatically along the track when the collector means are electrically powered by the power supply block in the powered state, and including brake means that come into operation when the power supply block is in the unpowered state and the collector means are no longer powered with electricity, wherein the fixed onboard controller controls starting acceleration, cruising speed, and deceleration of the transport module independent of variations in the electric power supplied to the fixed onboard controller when the transport module is located on a power supply block in the powered state.