The Free Access Concept-A New Challenge to Human Factors

The “free access concept” is a unique transportation system created in response to a growing number of physical environments, identified as pedestrian precincts, in which walking is the primary mode of transit, and which, partially limit or completely preempt normal vehicular traffic. This concept is completely compatible with pedestrians and offers continuous operation with access to a moving vehicle at any point on the vehicle path, no standing in line at fixed stops, freedom from guideways and a detection system to prevent collisions with pedestrians or objects along the pathway. The fully automatic, battery-powered vehicles of the free access system are guided by a harmless buried signal wire.

This paper presents the background and development of this transportation concept from the identification of the need through the design of a test vehicle and its first field evaluation in Battle Creek, Michigan.

The central focus of this paper is the development and measurement of the qualitative aspects of the free access system in relation to human factors.