System for the demand-dependent control of guided vehicles

DETAILED DESCRIPTION We claim: 1.
A system for the demand-dependent control of guided vehicles where the equipment necessary of demand registration and control are organized hierarchically comprising: an uppermost hierarchy level including an operations control center, and a plurality of station equipment each coupled to said operations control center by a two-way communication path, said operations control center initiating commands in accordance with destination demands at each of said plurality of station equipment; an intermediate hierarchy level including at least one commad and control center coupled to associated ones of said plurality of station equipment by a two-way communication path and coupled to said operations control center by a two-way communication path, said command and control center checks commands received from said operations control center and said associated ones of said plurality of station equipment giving special consideration to safety criteria; and a last hierarchy level including a plurality of vehicles coupled to said command and control center by a two-way communication way to perform the requested tasks in commands received from said command and control center and continuously exchanges information with said command and control center.
2.
A system according to claim 1, wherein said intermediate hierarchy level includes a plurality of command and control centers each controlling a section of a guideway carrying said vehicles.
3.
A system according to claim 1, wherein each of said vehicles includes a device by which a passenger can cause a stop at the next station.
4.
A system according to claim 1, wherein each of said vehicles contains an intercommunication system through which a passenger can communicate with an operator in an emergency and through which said operator can make general announcements.
5.
A system according to claim 1, wherein said station equipment includes a destination keyboard, and a turnstile connected to said keyboard, said keyboard being operated by a passenger to communicate his destination to the system