APM Information

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An APM is an advanced, automated passenger mobility system. It is made up of driverless vehicles that run over completely segregated guideways controlled by computer networks with increasingly sophisticated, robust, and secure software. This acronym APM stands for Automated People Mover. For some transit professionals, it is synonymous with Automated Guideway Transit (AGT), a concept that unfortunately ignores very relevant and interesting airport and leisure applications.

The transit-oriented term AGT also ignores the high-end of APMs that have off-line stations, taxi-like service, and network controls that are an order-of-magnitude more complex than those of linear configurations. Also see more information on the particulars of PRT.

The definition of an APM is meaningful and firm. It has spawned a set of engineering safety standards that bestow a statutory reality to APMs, embraced by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), housed within the Transportation & Development Institute. Eleven international conferences on APMs have created an impressive body of knowledge and literature. Trans.21 has published seven independent editions of this on-line APM guide. Lea + Elliott are the premier APM engineering consultants, particularly for airports – a sector in which projects around the world have benefited from L+E’s well-respected diligence.

EarthTech
DFW
This Bombardier APM at Dallas-Ft. Worth runs
with two- or three-car trains of vehicles capable of
carrying up to 100 passengers.

How many APMs?

There are 143 APMs in operation around the world (as of 2009). Divided into six application categories, they are listed here. To give an indication of size, best information on thousands of average daily passengers accompanies the name/location of the listed APM. Collectively, these APMs have accumulated a remarkable record of safety and reliability, although there have been breakdowns, accidents and abandonments. Several dozen installations have been dismantled. If all APM constructions and test tracks are counted, the global APM industry statistic would likely exceed 200.

Note: The definition of APM used here does not include inclines, gondolas, aerial trams, industrial monorails, manual passenger monorails, moving walks and other forms of conveyance that don’t really have drivers. An APM has its own exclusive, protected right-of-way and has no need for drivers or station attendants. If APM supervisory staff were all to disappear, an APM’s service would continue until another anomalous situation causes a system shutdown.

Kinds of APMs

APMs designed for high passenger-carrying capacities do fit into the world of fully automated metros. Modern rapid transit – whether a subway or elevated or both – is highly automated, with conductors who merely push a button to close doors and launch. A truly driverless metro, however, is planned and operated to provide frequent service that is affordable. Scheduling routine and special services becomes appreciably more flexible. There are many examples of driverless metros in Europe and parts of Asia, and two lines in Vancouver. But not one in the U.S.!

Toulouse
Outside the U.S., many APMs function as driverless
metros, such as in Toulouse, France.
Robosoft
Guided or autonomous vehicles in protected environments
can function as low-capacity, low-speed APMs.

APMs designed for low levels of passenger flows over short distances are fast emerging from the robotics industry. These were formerly known as AGVs – Automated Guided Vehicles – designed without elaborate guideways and able to mix with pedestrians. Today terms like autonomous or robotic vehicles are used. They carry boxes in countless factories and warehouses, or meals and supplies in hospital, all at low speeds not over 20km/hr. Passenger-carrying systems operate in the Netherlands and France.

Several PRT developmental efforts put AGVs in free-range mode on guideways. Stunning advances in optical and GPS-based guidance technologies underlie these developments: it is no longer necessary to lock vehicles into an exclusive guideway for precision control. This frees developers from the most expensive part of an APM – its guideway structure.

Morgantown PRT
PRT functionality has operated well with 20-passenger vehicles
at West Virginia University since the 1970s.

This data set includes the set of APM projects underway. The total contract value is $11.5 billion as 2010 starts, 70% of which involves metro projects.

APMs provide service-proven mobility available at a cost. This investment brings well-appreciated mobility benefits. The guideway can incorporate utility conduits that create revenue or benefit streams. Consultants can help you define a viable project – from planning and engineering through to construction and start-of-service, as on to O&M support services.