Monorails are increasingly used in public transit, with around 80% fulfilling this role globally. They offer significant advantages in urban areas, including reduced space requirements, minimal disruption to existing traffic, and the ability to navigate tight curves and steep gradients. Their elevated, rubber-tired design makes them quiet and efficient, with prefabricated infrastructure allowing for fast, low-impact construction. Monorails also support fully automated, driverless operation.
Faced with an escalating demand for public transportation in metropolitan areas, transportation authorities are challenged to evaluate needs-based technologies and plan appropriate transport infrastructures. In doing so, they must meet the sometimes divergent goals of high capacity and reliability, urban compatibility, minimal environmental impact, and budget restrictions. To further promote the use of monorails, the International Monorail Association (IMA) has worked with monorail experts worldwide to develop a planning guide to assist in the early planning of monorails and to also compare them with other modes of transport.
The ‘IMA Planning Guide for Monorail Systems’ offers a comprehensive framework that classifies monorail systems in the broader transportation context. It covers key features and elements of a monorail system, considering both the vehicle technology and the civil infrastructure including wayside elements. The guide outlines system configuration options and details the critical steps for a successful integration into the urban environment, along with all operational considerations. Topics related to investment, funding and certification are also covered. Finally, examples of successfully implemented monorail systems are presented alongside systems currently under construction.
The 'Planning Guide' is free of charge and available for download here: LINK