pRt

PRT is an acronym used in different domains to denote distinct concepts, and its meaning depends on the context in which it appears.

In transportation and urban planning, Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) refers to a form of automated, on-demand transit that uses small, driverless vehicles traveling on a network of grade-separated guideways or paths. Vehicles typically serve individuals or small groups, providing direct, point-to-point trips with minimal waiting. The concept emphasizes flexible routing and energy efficiency, but high capital costs and integration with existing transit systems have limited widespread deployment to pilots and experimental networks.

In computing and computer-aided design, PRT is widely recognized as the file extension for Part files used by PTC’s Pro/ENGINEER and Creo software. A .prt file stores the geometry, features, dimensions, and metadata for a single mechanical part and can be combined with other parts into assemblies (.asm). The format supports parametric modeling and is integral to engineering workflows, though newer workflows and formats may complement or supersede it in some contexts.

Because PRT abbreviations can refer to multiple concepts across fields, the intended meaning should be inferred from the surrounding technical or disciplinary context.