The World Gateway Terminal – Miami International Airport Automatic People Mover

The World Gateway Terminal at Miami International Airport (MIA) is under construction. This 1.3 billion dollar Terminal is designed to prepare for the continued growth in travel demands at MIA and will be used by American Airlines as its Latin American Hub. The construction of the new Terminal will include significant demolition of existing concourses, modernization of existing space, and adding new facilities and special systems. All must take place while the airport continues to operate at full capacity. A major element of the Terminal is an APM system. This system is designed to be integrated with other airport functions to provide required transportation services, enhance the overall Terminal operational performance, and improve the passenger level of service. The APM system includes 2,600 meters (8,500 feet) of single lane elevated guideway, 4 stations, and an initial fleet of 20 cars configured into 10 vehicles. The guideway, stations, and terminal buildings share a common supporting structure. The stations and vehicles are designed to isolate international and domestic passengers. The operating system will be designed, fabricated, and installed under the design-build arrangement. The APM system supplier and its proposed technology were selected in November 1999. The fixed facilities such as stations and guideway are managed and built under separate construction contracts. This paper provides an overview of the APM system and discusses its key elements.