The Automated People Mover (APM) at Los Angeles International Airport was seen undergoing test runs Friday night.
Images from NewsChopper4 captured the driverless electric train in motion.
LAX’s forthcoming Automated People Mover is expected to provide access to airport terminals, parking, pickup and drop-off areas, while also connecting travelers and employees to the Metro rail system.
Images: See renderings of the LAX Automated People Mover
The People Mover is a piece of the airport’s larger $30 billion project to update terminals, gates, and airport signage. The driverless electric vehicle is expected to provide easier transportation for global events that will be hosted by Los Angeles.
The APM will run 24/7 and will feature a 2.25-mile elevated guideway with six stations: three inside the Central Terminal Area and three outside.
According to the Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) website, the electric fleet will consist of 44 cars. The train will have nine four-car sets, with a capacity of 200 passengers, that will operate during peak hours.
“Trains will arrive at stations every two minutes during peak hours with a total travel time of 10 minutes,” the website states.
According to LAWA, the service will be free for ticketed passengers, LAX employees, and travelers being picked up or dropped off.
The airport broke ground on the People Mover in March 2019 and it’s expected to be completed by the end of the year.
It’s estimated that it will eventually carry some 30 million passengers a year, resulting in 117,000 fewer vehicle miles traveled per day, according to LAWA’s website.
