A Revolutionary Automated People Mover: Overcoming Numerous Constraints at DFW

Abstract

The Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) International Airport has a $2.5 Billion Capital Development Program underway, which will literally transform one of the worlds five busiest airports into an efficient, service oriented, transportation business while providing its travelers a world-class experience. This program will be implemented over a five-year period and will include an 847 million dollar Automated People Mover (APM) system that will go on-line in 2005. This APM covers over five miles of bi-directional track, carries over 5000 passengers an hour per direction and is built fifty feet above the apron directly above operating aircraft and aviation services. The APM will service six terminals in less than eight minutes, and will be a focal point in re-imaging and re-vitalizing the airport. This paper addresses the unique issues, constraints, challenges, and rewards of the fast track design and construction process used to bring owner, airline, tenant, design consultants, construction contractor and system supplier together as one team to accomplish this project. The paper discusses the schedule critical path issues and constraints, and how engineering supported the contractor. Design techniques will be illustrated that allowed around the clock progress while having severely limited access time to the airports operation area for construction. Also included in the paper, will be details of design, implementation issues encountered, and final resolutions that are leading to a successful completion of a project that has an aggressive schedule.