ULTra (Urban Light Transit) is an electric, battery-powered, 200-mpg-equivalent, elevated PRT (personal rapid transit) system with many 5-person vehicles. First "revenue service" for the ULTra system is scheduled for London Heathrow Airport in Spring 2010, to serve Heathrow's new Terminal 5. Working as circulator transit for office parks, airports, universities, and other major activity centers, ULTra is faster than a car. In these applications, ULTra makes carpooling and transit more effective, by solving the "last mile problem."

David Holdcroft, BAA's PRT Manager: "This innovative system forms part of BAA's plan to transform Heathrow, improve the passenger experience and reduce the environmental impact of our operation through the development of cutting edge, green transport solutions. It offers a completely new form of public transport - one that will deliver a fast, efficient service to passengers and bring considerable environmental benefits, saving more than half of the fuel used by existing forms of public or private transport."

Rocket Scientist Founder Martin Lowson

In the youtube video below, rocket scientist Martin Lowson takes a Heathrow ride, part of the Discovery Channel Mega Engineering Series.

ATS Founder (and ULTra PRT inventor) Martin Lowson is a rocket scientist and has worked extensively with NASA. Martin worked on the Apollo Space Program’s Saturn Rocket, where he led a team of over 50 staff. He was Chief Scientist of Westland Helicopters, generating the advanced rotor system (he holds the patent) now used on both Lynx and EH101 helicopters. This rotor set the absolute world speed record for helicopters. He has collaborated with multiple NASA wind tunnels on studies of aerofoil noise, helicopter rotor noise, and rocket noise radiation. He is Fellow of Royal Academy of Engineering, Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society, and Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.

ATS Ltd Directors

The ATS management team comprises a balance of technical and operational experience and are recognized as leaders in the transport systems industry.

Phil Smith - Chief Operating Officer

Phil joined ATS in 2007 to head the Operations Team. He is a professional and highly effective Director with considerable transport management experience in both contracting and consultancy environments. Accomplished stakeholder manager with excellent analytical skills demonstrated in roles encompassing business development, commercial and operational management. A strong leader who builds effective teams. Demonstrable record of successful negotiation in PFI, public service contract and commercial contract environments to deliver required outcomes.

Previous experience includes Serco Limited. Project Director, National Traffic Control Centre 2006 - 2007 Managing Director, Manchester Metrolink 2002 - 2006 Engineering and Commercial Director, Manchester Metrolink 2001 - 2002 Contract Director, East Mids Infrastructure Maintenance Contract 2001 Operations Director, East Mids Infrastructure Maintenance Contract 2000 General Manager, Serco Rail 1998 - 2000.

Chris Cook - Director of Engineering

Chris Cook joined ATS in 1999 and is responsible for all the major contracts undertaken by the Company.

Chris was previously a Board Director and Executive Director of BREL (British Rail Engineering Ltd), the largest UK manufacturer and repairer of railway rolling stock. He was a member of the six man team that led a successful MBO. Chris held full profit and loss and operating responsibility for the design, manufacture and sales of all new rolling stock. He introduced a new product based organisation and succeeded in increasing the Group's turnover by a factor of three to £200 million over four years and increased the order book from £250 million to £1 billion. At the same time he transformed the operations from a significant cash deficit and loss making position to a cash positive and a highly profitable one.

Before joining ATS Chris ran a successful business consultancy firm, RCL Limited, specialising in consultancy to the aerospace, defence and transport manufacturing sectors, working with many of the UK's leading international companies, advising them on aspects such as M&A activity, product strategy, company structure and project organisation. Prior to establishing his consultancy Chris worked in rail and aerospace manufacturing companies, and worked for 21 years at Westland Helicopters Limited, rising to Chief Designer and later full board member with responsibility for the project management of all major national and international projects undertaken by the Company (with typical values of £350 million plus).

Chris is responsible for the day-to-day operations of ATS and the engineering development programme. He has successfully directed all the major contracts undertaken by the Company to time and to cost.

Non-Executive Directors

Trevor Smallwood OBE - Chairman

Trevor Smallwood joined ATS as Chairman in 2000. Prior to joining, Trevor was Executive Chairman of FirstGroup plc. Trevor led the MBO of Badgerline from National Bus Company in 1986 and during the following 13 years, engineered the growth of the business from one employing 800 employees to one with £2B turnover and profits of £100 million with a worldwide reach. Trevor oversaw the international expansion of the Group which today has operations in many countries, operating some 10,000 buses in the UK, 14,000 US school buses and has 3 UK rail franchises. He was also Chairman of Bristol and Sheffield airports.

Trevor brings to ATS critical knowledge and senior level contacts in the world transport business.

Trevor is also Chairman of Greater Bristol Foundation, a local charity, non executive director of UKRD radio stations and Bristol Water plc.

Martin Lowson - Deputy Chairman

Martin was the originator of the ULTra concept while Sir George White Professor at the University of Bristol. Previously, Martin worked in the US on the Apollo Space Program, where he led a team of over 50 staff and became Chief Scientist of Westland Helicopters, where he established and led the Westland Technology Demonstrator programme. This generated the advanced rotor system, for which he is a patentee, now used on both Lynx and EH101 helicopters. This rotor was used to set the absolute world speed record for helicopters, held by Westland since 1986. He later became Director of Corporate Development Westland plc, responsible for marketing the EH101 in Canada and for establishing two systems companies. He was elected Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering 1991, a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society 1986 and an overseas Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics in 1993.

Nigel Clarke - Non-Executive Director

Nigel Clarke joined ATS Limited in 2003 as Non-Executive Director.

Between 1985 and 2003, he was one of the three principal partners of GJW, Europe's leading government relations company, having cut his political teeth working for the Conservative Research Department as Head of its Home Affairs and then Political Sections.

During these years, he worked closely with companies and other organisations, dealing with legislative and regulatory problems, planning issues and procurement challenges in the UK, Europe (especially in Central and Eastern Europe after 1990) and the Far East. Typical projects covered by GJW included the Channel Tunnel (for Eurotunnel), the extension of London Underground's Jubilee line, the Okehampton bypass (which required its own Act of Parliament), and significant work on assorted local transport schemes.

Nigel brings extensive planning and legislative knowledge and influence to the Company.

Peter Rilett - Non Executive Director

Peter Rilett joined ATS Limited in 2006 as Non-Executive Director.

Peter is a qualified Chartered Accountant. He spent 33 years with KPMG rising to Senior Partner of the firm's Bristol office before retiring in September 2005. His career provided exposure to all sizes of business from SME's to international listed groups and a wide range of industries. Latterly Peter specialised in matters of strategy, property and finance both advising businesses and carrying out internal roles.

Peter brings extensive financial and strategic planning experience to the Company.

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