Washington Senate People Mover
Force Engineering Linear Induction Motors power the Washington D.C. Senate Subway people mover system. This was the first commercial PRT system Force worked on in 1993 and it is still running today without mishap.
The system connects the U.S. Capitol building with the Dirksen and Hart Senate buildings. The route is a double track loop of 945m (3,100ft). It accommodates up to four three-car trains at speeds up to 14mph. Each train weighs an estimated 4,100kg (9,000lbs) with a passenger capacity of up to 2,700kg (6,000lbs), giving a maximum weight of 6,800kg (15,000lbs).
More than 500 bespoke LIMs are mounted in the track at spacings of 1.5-3 metres (4.5-9ft). Steel-backed aluminium reaction plates are mounted underneath the passive vehicles.
Vehicle sensors and control equipment were fitted in each LIM junction box. All LIMs are connected to the same inverter driven bus bar system. As the vehicles accelerate and brake the frequency and voltage fed to the bus is varied by the main computer to ensure optimum performance.