Is an AGT just a monorail? Not quite.

If you're a fan of trains and urban

transportation, you may have come

across the term "AGT," short for

"Automated Guideway Transit." At first

glance, it might look like a monorail.

In fact, I've even heard people call it

that. However, while they may appear

similar, AGTs and monorails are

fundamentally different.

Let me share a moment that sparked

this blog.

One day, while riding the Yurikamome—

a well-known AGT line in Tokyo—I

overheard a mother tell her child,

"This is a straddle-type monorail." I

didn't blame her. The Yurikamome is

sleek, elevated, and rubber-tired, just

like many monorails around the world.

Technically, though, it’s not a

monorail.

So, what's the difference?

A straddle-beam monorail, like the

Tokyo Monorail, runs on a single,

narrow concrete beam (around 80 cm

wide), which the train straddles. In

contrast, an AGT runs on a flat

guideway similar in appearance to a

highway lane, with the vehicle guided

by side rails. This difference isn’

t just technical; it also affects safety.

In an emergency, passengers on an

AGT can evacuate on foot along the

guideway. That’s not possible with a

monorail because the narrow beam

makes evacuation far more complex.

In Japan, where AGTs have become a

familiar part of urban transit, these

distinctions often go unnoticed.

The mother's comment made me

wonder how many other people are

unaware of what makes AGTs unique.

It was that moment that led me to start

this blog, where I share stories and

insights about AGTs and their role in

modern transportation.

Have you ever ridden an AGT or

confused it with a monorail? I’d love

to hear your thoughts and experiences!

Let's explore the world of AGTs

together!

Stay tuned for the next AGT blog!!