Abstract
The objective of this study was to estimate the dynamic behavior of a personal rapid transit(PRT) track system using a rail of rectangular tube section and a rail joint of sliding type, and to compare the results with the normal rail and rail joint of a PRT track system by performing field measurements using actual vehicles running along the service lines. The measured vertical displacement of rail and sleeper, and vertical acceleration of rail for the normal rail and rail joint section were found to be similar, and the rail joint of sliding type satisfied the design specifications of the track impact factor for a conventional railway track. The experimental results showed that the overall dynamic response of the rail joint were found to be similar to or less than that of the normal rail, therefore the rail joint of sliding type for PRT track system was sufficient to ensure a stability and safety of PRT track system.