Project Profile: LAX Automated People Mover (APM)

The Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) Automated People Mover (APM) is an elevated, 2.25-mile (3.6 km) electric guideway system engineered to resolve terminal-area traffic congestion and enhance passenger connectivity. This critical infrastructure project integrates the airport’s central terminals with a new Consolidated Rent-A-Car (ConRAC) facility, intermodal transportation facilities, and the regional Metro rail network, establishing a new operational standard for US airport transit.

Technical Specifications

The LAX APM operates on a dual-lane elevated guideway, running for 2.25 miles and connecting six strategically located stations. Three stations are situated within the Central Terminal Area, providing direct access to airline terminals, while three additional stations connect passengers to the new Intermodal Transportation Facilities and the Consolidated Rent-A-Car (ConRAC) center. The rolling stock consists of 44 Alstom Innovia APM 300 vehicles, which operate as nine four-car trains. Each vehicle is designed for high-capacity throughput, featuring wide doorways for efficient passenger flow and dedicated space for luggage and passengers requiring assistance. The system is fully automated and driverless, managed by an advanced Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) system from a central Maintenance and Storage Facility (MSF). This state-of-the-art control system allows for high-frequency service, with trains arriving every two minutes during peak operational hours, ensuring a reliable and seamless passenger journey.

Key Takeaways

• Successful P3 Model: The project’s Design-Build-Finance-Operate-Maintain (DBFOM) public-private partnership (P3) structure serves as a benchmark for delivering complex, large-scale infrastructure by effectively distributing financial risk and leveraging private sector expertise.
• Technological Benchmark: The implementation of the fully automated Alstom Innovia APM 300 fleet and its associated CBTC signaling system establishes a new standard for operational efficiency, reliability, and passenger capacity in airport transit systems.
• Regional Transit Integration: The APM is not merely an airport circulator; it fundamentally integrates LAX into the greater Los Angeles public transportation network by providing a vital connection to the Metro Green and Crenshaw/LAX lines.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did the LAX People Mover open?

The LAX Automated People Mover system commenced full public operations in 2025, following an extensive period of system testing and commissioning. It serves as the centerpiece of the airport’s multi-billion dollar Landside Access Modernization Program (LAMP).

Who built the LAX train?

The LAX Automated People Mover was delivered by LINXS, a consortium of leading global infrastructure firms including Fluor, ACS Infrastructure Development, and Balfour Beatty. The electric train vehicles and the automated control systems were designed and supplied by Alstom.