AirTrain Newark Replacement Program: A Technical Profile

The AirTrain Newark Replacement Program is a critical infrastructure initiative to replace the airport’s aging monorail with a modern, high-capacity automated people mover (APM). This project will construct a 2.5-mile elevated guideway and station system utilizing cable-propelled transit technology to accommodate significant projected passenger growth at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) through 2040 and beyond.

Project Fact Sheet

Technical Specifications

The new AirTrain system is engineered around Doppelmayr’s Cable Liner® technology, a cable-propelled APM system selected for its reliability and efficiency. The system will operate on a new elevated guideway structure with platform heights varying from 10 to 75 feet above ground level. It is designed to transport between 2,000 and 3,500 passengers per hour in each direction, a significant capacity increase over the legacy Von Roll monorail. The new fleet of APM vehicles will operate at headways of two to three minutes, ensuring frequent service between airport terminals, parking facilities, and the Northeast Corridor Rail Link Station.

Infrastructure development includes the construction of modern passenger stations equipped with advanced vertical circulation systems (elevators, escalators), intuitive wayfinding, and real-time information displays. A new Maintenance and Control Facility will also be constructed to support the APM fleet. The project requires extensive modifications to existing terminals and parking structures to ensure seamless integration and pedestrian connectivity with the new station platforms.

Key Takeaways

• Capacity Expansion: The new APM system directly addresses EWR’s projected passenger growth, increasing daily ridership capacity to over 50,000 by 2040 and ensuring efficient passenger flow.
• Technological Modernization: The shift from an end-of-life monorail to a state-of-the-art Cable Liner® system enhances operational reliability, reduces maintenance costs, and improves the overall passenger experience.
• Strategic Gateway Investment: The $2.05 billion investment reinforces Newark Liberty’s position as a critical international gateway, improving inter-terminal connectivity and access to regional rail networks.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

When will the new AirTrain Newark be open?

The new AirTrain Newark system is projected to become fully operational in the second quarter of 2029. Construction commenced in late 2024 and is being phased to minimize disruption to existing airport operations.

Who is building the new AirTrain at Newark Airport?

The core automated people mover system is being designed, engineered, constructed, and operated by Doppelmayr, a global leader in ropeway and cable-propelled transit systems. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is the public agency overseeing the entire replacement program.