Owais Crawford
Trams are a rare mode of transportation in the United States, where they are primarily used for sightseeing or skiing in states like Alaska, Utah, and Wyoming. However, some major US airports have trams or similar systems, including Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, which has the ExpressTram, an automated people mover system, and O'Hare, which has a rubber-tired tram that goes from remote parking to the terminals. Denver International Airport has the fastest Airport People Mover (APM) system in the world, while Atlanta's APM is built by Bombardier. Miami International Airport (MIA) has a train/tram between the main terminal and Concourse E, and Dallas Love Field Airport (DAL) had a monorail in the past.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airports with trams | Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, Denver International Airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, O'Hare International Airport, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, Miami International Airport |
| Trams for sightseeing | Roosevelt Island cable tram, Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, Portland Aerial Tram |
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What You'll Learn
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport has an automated tram system
The Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport features an automated tram system, known as the ExpressTram. The ExpressTram is a driverless system that transports passengers along Concourse A of the airport's Edward H. McNamara Terminal, which, at 4,900 feet (0.93 miles), is the world's second-longest airport concourse. The ExpressTram was the world's first airport people mover to operate inside a terminal building, rather than outdoors or in tunnels. The system consists of two cable-driven trams that ride upon an air cushion, similar to a hovercraft, 21 feet above the main floor. Each tram comprises two cars and can carry up to 208 passengers at a time.
The ExpressTram's primary infrastructure is a single guideway, with a bypass guideway that splits from the main guideway at the Terminal station, allowing the two trams to pass each other. One tram travels north and south along the main guideway, while the other uses the bypass to get around the first tram. The operating software attempts to keep the trams synchronized so that they arrive at the Center Station simultaneously, although this is not essential. If the trams lose synchronization, the first tram to arrive at the Center Station waits for the opposite tram to enter the bypass area before departing.
The ExpressTram serves three stations along Concourse A: North Station, which serves gates A56-A78, South Station, which serves gates A1-A28, and the Center Station, which serves gates A29-A55, as well as Luggage Claim, Ground Transportation, and Concourses B and C. The Center Station is also known as the Terminal Station due to its proximity to the main terminal building. The stations feature LED displays that provide information on upcoming stops, along with pre-recorded audio information and warnings.
The ExpressTram system was custom-designed by Poma-Otis Transportation Systems, a joint venture between the Otis Elevator Company and Poma, which has since dissolved. Otis installed the system and currently operates and maintains it. The trams were originally painted red to match the primary branding colour of Northwest Airlines, which operated the Detroit hub before merging with Delta Air Lines in 2010. The trams were refurbished in early 2019 and now feature Delta logos.
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Chicago O'Hare Airport has a rubber-tired tram
Chicago O'Hare International Airport features a rubber-tired tram as part of its Airport Transit System (ATS). The tram system was opened on May 6, 1993, and was designed to operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The ATS was closed for refurbishment and modernisation between January 2019 and November 2021, and it returned to 24-hour service in April 2022.
The Chicago O'Hare tram system moves passengers between the airport's terminals and parking facilities. The tram has a stop at each terminal, but it is located outside the security area and across the road, so it is not the most practical way to travel between terminals. However, it is necessary to use the tram to get to and from the international terminal and the other terminals. The tram system also connects to the consolidated rental car facility.
The ATS has two tracks, and each train stops at all five stations in both directions. The west end of the ATS is at Terminal 1, and it makes a counterclockwise loop around the parking garage with stops at Terminals 2 and 3. Parking Garage A is accessible from any of the three terminal stations. Parking Lots B and C are only accessible from Terminals 1 and 3, respectively. It takes 10 minutes to travel from Terminal 1 to the consolidated rental car facility.
Outside the terminal loop, the ATS travels east to Terminal 5, the international terminal. From there, it turns north, crossing over the main access road, the Blue Line, and Mannheim Road to reach the consolidated rental car facility. This terminal serves Pace bus routes 250, 330, and the Pulse Dempster Line.
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Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport has trams
The Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, also known as DFW, is the third busiest airport in the US, serving over 81 million passengers in 2023. It is larger than Manhattan and has its own ZIP code. Despite its size, it is easy to navigate, with a convenient light rail service, Skylink, running between all terminals. The Skylink train route is an airside people mover with two stations at either end of each terminal. It is free to use, operates clockwise and counterclockwise, and trains depart every 2 minutes.
The airport has five terminals, three of which are solely occupied by American Airlines. Terminals A, B, C, and D are connected by walkways, while Terminal E is the only terminal not connected to another by walkways. Terminal B has 44 gates, and the higher-numbered gates are at the north of the terminal, with the lower-numbered gates at the south. Terminal E has 43 gates, with the lower-numbered gates at the northern end and the higher-numbered gates at the southern end.
The Skylink train provides easy access to all terminals, and passengers can also use the Terminal Link shuttle bus to navigate between terminals. The Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) rail service is another option for passengers, providing connections to Dallas, while TEXrail services Fort Worth, and TRE connects the two cities.
While trams are not commonly used for urban transportation in the US, the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport's Skylink train serves a similar function, efficiently connecting different parts of the airport.
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Miami International Airport has a train/tram
Miami International Airport (MIA) has a train/tram system called the Metrorail, which connects the airport to the rest of Miami. The Metrorail runs from Kendall through South Miami, Coral Gables, and downtown Miami, to the Civic Center/Jackson Memorial Hospital area, and to Brownsville, Liberty City, Hialeah, and Medley in northwest Miami-Dade. The Metrorail also has connections to Broward and Palm Beach counties.
The Metrorail operates on two lines: the Green Line and the Orange Line. The Green Line runs from the northernmost Metrorail station, Palmetto, to the southernmost, Dadeland South. The Orange Line serves the Miami International Airport Station, with trains departing every 30 minutes during the week and every 15 minutes on weekends. The Orange Line is the most affordable way to get to and from the airport, with fares costing just $2.25 each way.
To get to the MIA Metrorail station from north of Earlington Heights Station, passengers can board a southbound Green Line train, exit the train at Earlington Heights, and then board a northbound Orange Line train to the MIA Metrorail station. On weekdays, passengers can take a direct Orange Line train to the airport if they are travelling northbound from the Earlington Heights Station. On weekends, the Orange Line provides Airport Shuttle train service between Earlington Heights and Miami International Airport with a 15-minute frequency.
In addition to the Metrorail, Miami International Airport also offers other train and tram connections. The MIA Mover is a free service that links the airport to the Miami Central Station and the Rental Car Center. The Tri-Rail provides connections to Broward and Palm Beach counties, and can be accessed by taking the MIA Mover to the Miami Central Station. The City of Miami Trolley is also accessible via the MIA Mover.
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Denver International Airport has the fastest Airport People Mover system
Denver International Airport has the fastest Airport People Mover (APM) system in the world. The APM system, which opened in 1995, connects the airport's distant concourses with the main terminal, named the Jeppesen Terminal. The system operates 24/7 and runs bi-directionally in a pinched-loop configuration, utilising twin 1.25-mile (2.01 km) tunnels that travel underground beneath the aircraft taxiways. The trains generally run at 1.5-minute intervals during peak times, resulting in an 11-minute travel time from end to end.
The Denver International Airport APM system is completely underground and reaches speeds of up to 60 mph, making it the fastest in the world in terms of actual speed. The system is operated by Alstom, a global leader in smart and sustainable mobility. Alstom has been providing operations and maintenance services for the airport's APM system since the airport opened in 1994. The APM system has been expanded over the years, with additional vehicles added to the fleet to accommodate increasing passenger volumes and maintenance schedules.
In July 2024, Alstom introduced its new Innovia APM 300R trains at Denver International Airport, replacing the previous vehicles. The new trains feature lightweight aluminium car bodies assembled using recyclable materials and a more efficient power supply, improving the airport's energy consumption by more than 30%. The Innovia APM 300R trains have increased capacity, efficiency, and comfort for passengers navigating the airport.
Denver International Airport has renewed its contract with Alstom to operate and maintain the APM system until December 31, 2032. The contract will employ 91 Alstom team members and is valued at €218 million. Alstom will provide 24/7 maintenance and operations for the APM system, including vehicle maintenance, power and electrification, communications systems, and more.
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Frequently asked questions
Several major US airports have trams or "people movers". These include Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, Denver International Airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Chicago O'Hare International Airport, Miami International Airport, and Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport.
Trams in the US are rare outside of airports and are mostly used for sightseeing or skiing in states like Alaska, Utah, and Wyoming. However, New York's Roosevelt Island tram and the Portland Aerial Tram are examples of trams that are used for urban transportation.
Many US airports have public transportation options such as bus services and train services. Examples of airports with good public transportation include Boston Logan International Airport, Philadelphia International Airport, and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
