PEOPLE MOVERS MOVE DOWNTOWN

Fast, futuristic automated people movers (APM) are described that can carry 10 to 100 passengers at speeds ranging from 8 to 50 mph. They ride on rubber tires, steel wheels, or air cushions, and are propelled by rotating electric motors, linear electric motors, magnetic fields, or cables. To date they are solving congestion problems at 9 airports in the United Kingdom and the United States, and several more are planned or under construction. However, there have been obstacles to urban integration of APMs. Some believe that demand has not caught up with project costs. The high maintenance costs have to be offset and capital costs brought down to the point at which the installation of such systems becomes viable. The largest operating APM, the Vancouver Skytrain, a 13-mile double track system, is described. In Honolulu, a 15-mile APM system has been chosen as the solution to serious traffic problems. A 1.3-mile magnetic levitation system is now being installed in Las Vegas to connect its convention center with a new downtown transportation center. The article discusses the Miami Metromover which connects with the downtown stop on the Miami rail system to deliver passengers to various points downtown. This APM system has led to a development boom that in turn has stimulated plans to extend the line. The 2.9-mile long Detroit APM is also discussed.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/10480594
• Corporate Authors:

  American Society of Civil Engineers

  345 East 47th Street
  New York, NY  United States  10017-2398
• Authors:
  • Hart, M
• Publication Date: 1989-2

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 71-74
• Serial:
  • Civil Engineering
  • Volume: 59
  • Issue Number: 2
  • Publisher: American Society of Civil Engineers
  • ISSN: 0885-7024
  • Serial URL: http://www.pubs.asce.org/ceonline/newce/html

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Automated vehicle control; Central business districts; Costs; Economic development; Magnetic levitation; People movers
• Old TRIS Terms: Automated transit system
• Subject Areas: Economics; Finance; Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00480624
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Mar 31 1989 12:00AM