Wikipedia

User:Epicgenius/sandbox/draft1

< User:Epicgenius | sandbox
  • AeroTrain (Dulles International Airport)
  • (("dulles airport" or "dulles international") and ("people mover" or "subway" or "rail" or "aerotrain")) NOT ("other" "no title" OR "Classified Ad" OR "Display Ad" OR "Spare Times" or "advertising sections" or title("advertisement"))
  • (("dulles airport" or "dulles international") and ("people mover"  or "underground" "rail" or "aerotrain")) NOT ("other" "no title" OR "Classified Ad" OR "Display Ad" OR "Spare Times" or "advertising sections" or title("advertisement"))

AeroTrain
Overview
LocaleDulles International Airport serving Washington, D.C.
Termini
  • Concourse B
  • Concourse C
Stations4
Service
TypePeople mover
Services1
Operator(s)Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority
Rolling stock29 Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Crystal Mover vehicles
History
Opened
  • January 20, 2010; 16 years ago (2010-01-20) (employees)
  • January 26, 2010; 16 years ago (2010-01-26) (passengers)
Technical
Line length3.78[1] mi (6.08 km)
CharacterFully underground; serves sterile parts of the airport
Operating speed42 mph (68 km/h)
Route map

Legend
 Main Terminal
Concourse B
Concourse A
Concourse C
Depot
This diagram:

AeroTrain is a 3.78-mile (6.08 km) underground automated people mover system at Dulles International Airport, in Dulles, Virginia, United States.

History

edit

Dulles International Airport opened on November 17, 1962, initially with a single terminal: the Main Terminal Building.[2][3] Since the Main Terminal had no airline gates, passengers were initially transported directly to planes via mobile lounges—large vehicles that functioned as extensions of the Main Terminal.[4] Dulles Airport's first midfield concourses, labeled C and D, were built south of the Main Terminal in 1985;[5] they were hastily built and could be accessed only by the mobile lounges.[6] These were followed by Concourse B in 1998[5][7] and Concourse A in 1999.[5][8]

Proposals

edit

The people mover was first proposed in 1983 to serve a new midfield concourse approximately 1,200 feet (370 m) south of the Main Terminal.[9] The system was part of a master plan for Dulles Airport;[10][11] it would have replaced the mobile lounges,[12][13] which had been criticized as inconvenient to use.[14][15] The people mover would have consisted of a pair of 100-person trains running back and forth on two parallel tracks.[12] Glen Urquhart of the National Capital Planning Commission said the people mover and midfield terminal would allow flights to be redirected from Washington National Airport, allowing the latter to eventually be closed.[16] The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) took over Dulles Airport's operation in 1987.[11][17] Thomas G. Plaskett, the president of Continental Airlines, suggested that the MWAA save money on the Dulles Airport expansion by canceling the people mover.[11][18]

By 1989, the airport expansion plan had faced serious cost overruns; the people mover and the first midfield terminal were expected to cost $58 million.[19][20] The beginning of construction was tentatively pushed back to 1996,[15][21] though the plans could be accelerated if crowding a increased during that time.[21] The MWAA was planning additional midfield terminals by 1992, at which point The Washington Post reported that the people mover's costs had increased to $91 million, or about $13,000 per foot ($43,000/m) for each of two tunnels.[22] A substantially higher cost of $162 million was also cited.[13][23] In 1994, the MWAA committed to developing a loop-shaped people mover route for about $275 million.[24][25] Though the MWAA initially wanted to build out only part of the loop, creating a "J"-shaped route,[25] the airlines at Dulles Airport preferred that the system be built as a straight line.[26] As part of an agreement of the airlines, the system could not be built before 2000 or until the airport recorded a certain number of annual passengers.[13][26] At the time, passenger traffic was expected to reach 16 million by 2000.[24][27]

The project, along with other expansions at Dulles Airport, was to be partially funded by a passenger facility charge levied on all Dulles Airport passengers.[28] The MWAA postponed the plan in 1995, citing concerns that passenger traffic at Dulles would not increase enough to justify the system's cost.[27] Designs for a people-mover system continued through the 1990s.[29][30] There were discussions over what mode of transit the people mover line should be, along with debates on the shape of its route.[30] The MWAA announced a $3.2 billion master plan in 2000; as part of the plan, it would construct a people mover system.[31] By the end of the year, the contract for the people mover's construction was almost ready to be awarded.[32]

Construction

edit

In 2002, Sumitomo Corporation of America was awarded a $200 million construction contract.[33]

Operation

edit

The AeroTrain system was scheduled to open in fall 2009, but was delayed until 2010 in order to complete reliability tests.[34][35] It opened to Dulles employees on January 20, 2010, and to passengers on January 26, 2010.[36][37] The system mostly replaced the mobile lounges which transport passengers from the concourses to the Main Terminal.[34] The system cost about $1.4 billion, and the project also included the construction of a new security screening mezzanine.

In December 2024, Crystal Mover Services Inc. extended its contract to operate the AeroTrain by ten years.[38]

Future

edit

Midfield concourse E, which as of 2024 is scheduled to open in 2026, is planned to be served by an extension of the AeroTrain.[39] The MWAA announced another master plan for Dulles Airport in 2025. As part of the master plan, midfield concourses E and F would be built farther south of the existing concourses, and the AeroTrain system would be extended to serve the new concourses.[40][41] Once fully built out, the trains will run in a two-way loop around the airside of the airport.[42]

Route and stations

edit

The AeroTrain transports passengers between the Main Terminal Building and Concourses A, B, and C. From the Main Terminal Station, trains travel to Concourse A and Concourse C in one direction, and to Concourse B in the other direction. The track map for AeroTrain is shaped like a fish hook, with the Main Terminal Station at the bottom.

The Main Terminal station is located on the second basement of the terminal, which covers 54,500 square feet (5,060 m2).[43] Above the Main Terminal station are security checkpoints,[43][44] which span 121,700 square feet (11,310 m2).[45][46]

Since the existing Concourse C/D (built in 1985 and renovated in 2006 to extend its life for 8-10 more years) is a temporary concourse, the Concourse C station has been built at the site of the future permanent Concourse C/D, and is connected to the existing concourse by an underground walkway.[47]

Operations

edit

The AeroTrain runs four trains consisting of three cars from 5:00 AM to around 3:00 PM, after which seven three-car trains run from 3:00 PM until 11:00 PM. From midnight to 5 AM, there are fewer trains.

There is supposed to be a maximum headway of two minutes between trains. The trains transport passengers to the concourses in about two minutes, at 40–42 miles per hour (64–68 km/h); the mobile lounges travel about 15 miles per hour (24 km/h).[48]

The AeroTrain is equipped with Thales SelTrac Communications-based train control (CBTC) moving block signaling system.[49] The AeroTrain's rolling stock consists of 29 Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Crystal Mover vehicles.

The system also includes a facility where the trains are maintained.[44]

edit

References

edit
  1. ↑ Freeman, Sholnn (December 3, 2009). "In tests, flying colors for Dulles gate-to-terminal train". The Washington Post. p. B4. Retrieved January 6, 2010.
  2. ↑ "Dulles Airport Dedicated by Kennedy, Ike". Boston Globe. November 18, 1962. p. 27. ProQuest 276440147.
  3. ↑ Munsey, Everard (November 18, 1962). "Airport Finishing Work Interrupted for Opening: Service Stars Monday". The Washington Post, Times Herald. p. B1. ISSN 0190-8286. ProQuest 141672841.
  4. ↑ Pelkonen, Eeva-Liisa; Albrecht, Donald, eds. (2006). Eero Saarinen: Shaping the Future. Yale University Press. p. 304. ISBN 978-0-300-12237-4.
  5. 1 2 3 "Airport Overview". flydulles.com. November 17, 1962. Retrieved October 20, 2025.
  6. ↑ Fehr, Stephen C. (September 8, 1994). "Airports Board Backs Dulles Subway Plan". The Washington Post. p. A01. ISSN 0190-8286. ProQuest 307822918. Retrieved October 20, 2025.
  7. ↑ Reid, Alice (January 15, 1998). "Dulles Expands With New Concourse". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 22, 2025.
  8. ↑ Sipress, Alan (April 27, 1999). "New Midfield Terminal Unveiled at Dulles". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 22, 2025.
  9. ↑ Burgess, John (December 13, 1983). "FAA Officials Drafting Plans For 12-Gate Dulles Concourse". The Washington Post. p. C1. ProQuest 147518909. Retrieved October 22, 2025.
  10. ↑ Whitney, Elizabeth (2 Apr 1989). "A white elephant comes of age Series". St. Petersburg Times. p. 1I. ProQuest 262656902.
  11. 1 2 3 Henderson, Nell (May 29, 1987). "Less Costly Expansion Of Dulles Airport Urged; Airline Chief Also Backs Multistory Garage". The Washington Post. p. D04. ISSN 0190-8286. ProQuest 306902843.
  12. 1 2 Burgess, John (April 18, 1984). "$197 Million Expansion Suggested for Dulles". The Washington Post. p. C1. ISSN 0190-8286. ProQuest 138333658. Retrieved October 17, 2025.
  13. 1 2 3 Reingold, Lester (Apr 1994). "Capital improvements". Air Transport World. Vol. 31, no. 4. p. 46. ProQuest 224298137.
  14. ↑ Goldberger, Paul (August 23, 1987). "Architecture View; an Air Terminal Inspired by the Train Station". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved October 18, 2025.
  15. 1 2 Henderson, Nell (March 24, 1989). "Mobile Lounges At Dulles To Be Tested". The Washington Post. p. B01. ISSN 0190-8286. ProQuest 307144144. Retrieved October 19, 2025.
  16. ↑ "Close National?". Potomac News. February 17, 1984. p. 2. Retrieved October 22, 2025.
  17. ↑ "National, Dulles airports slated for work". Richmond Times-Dispatch. June 6, 1987. p. 8. Retrieved October 18, 2025.
  18. ↑ Stewart, Gene (Jun 1, 1987). "Wilding Outlines Plans for Massive Expansions at Dulles and National". The Business Review. Vol. 12, no. 22. p. 26. ProQuest 197580535.
  19. ↑ Henderson, Nell (26 Dec 1989). "Dulles Suffering From Jet Lag With Air Traffic on the Rise". The Washington Post. p. C01. ISSN 0190-8286. ProQuest 307212751.
  20. ↑ "Cramped Dulles Airport Fuels Passengers' Frustrations". The Daily Progress. Associated Press. December 31, 1989. p. 20. Retrieved October 18, 2025.
  21. 1 2 "Dulles mobile lounge drivers to be retrained". Potomac News. March 25, 1989. p. 25. Retrieved October 22, 2025.
  22. ↑ Bates, Steve (November 18, 1992). "At 30, Dulles's Vision Is on the Horizon". The Washington Post. p. D01. ISSN 0190-8286. ProQuest 307565295. Retrieved October 19, 2025.
  23. ↑ Fehr, Stephen C. (October 7, 1993). "End of Mobile Lounges at Dulles is Sought". The Washington Post. p. D07. ISSN 0190-8286. ProQuest 307689830. Retrieved October 19, 2025.
  24. 1 2 "Dulles moves on plan for a people mover". Engineering News-Record. Vol. 233, no. 12. Sep 19, 1994. p. 29. ProQuest 235749107.
  25. 1 2 Fehr, Stephen C. (September 8, 1994). "Airports Board Backs Dulles Subway Plan". The Washington Post. p. A1. ProQuest 751146687. Retrieved October 22, 2025.
  26. 1 2 Ichniowski, Tom (Apr 15, 1996). "D.C. Airports' $2.1-Billion Ticket to Fly in Style". Engineering News-Record. Vol. 236, no. 15. p. 26. ProQuest 235754583.
  27. 1 2 Fehr, Stephen C. (September 17, 1995). "Airport Board Puts Dulles Subway on Hold; Too Few Passengers a Concern, Members Say". The Washington Post. p. B03. ISSN 0190-8286. ProQuest 307863458.
  28. ↑ "Washington spiffs up Dulles, National airports". The News and Observer. December 15, 1996. p. 128. Retrieved October 22, 2025.
  29. ↑ Wald, Matthew L. (November 17, 1996). "Washington Spiffs Up Its Airports". The New York Times. Retrieved October 22, 2025.
  30. 1 2 Forgey, Benjamin (January 24, 1998). "At Dulles, an Idea Takes Wing". The Washington Post. p. B01. ProQuest 408351375. Retrieved October 22, 2025.
  31. ↑ "Dulles Airport launches $3.2-billion capital plan". Civil Engineering. Vol. 70, no. 9. Sep 2000. p. 28. ProQuest 228439020.
  32. ↑ Wolinsky, Julian (Dec 2000). "People-movers find their niche". Railway Age. Vol. 201, no. 12. pp. 55–58. ProQuest 203739266.
  33. ↑ "Automated People Mover to be implemented at Washington Dulles International Airport". Airline Industry Information. Nov 7, 2002. p. 1. ProQuest 210534240.
  34. 1 2 Weiss, Eric M. (August 19, 2008). "Dulles Updates Its People Movers". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 1, 2009.
  35. ↑ Freeman, Sholnn (October 23, 2009). "New ride to the gate likely to arrive late". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 23, 2009.
  36. ↑ Rein, Lisa (January 26, 2010). "Passenger train goes into operation Tuesday at Dulles airport". Washington Post. Retrieved January 27, 2010.
  37. ↑ Barakat, Matthew (January 26, 2010). "Dulles Unveils AeroTrain". The News-Virginian. Associated Press. p. 2. Retrieved October 20, 2025.
  38. ↑ "Contract Renewed on Operation and Maintenance (O&M) Services for APM System at Washington Dulles International Airport". ACN Newswire (Press release). October 22, 2025. Retrieved October 22, 2025.
  39. ↑ Woolsey, Angela (December 4, 2024). "New Dulles Airport concourse on track to arrive in 2026". FFXnow. Retrieved October 22, 2025.
  40. ↑ McCaffrey, Scott (July 17, 2025). "New master plan for Dulles Airport envisions growth to 90 million annual passengers". FFXnow. Retrieved October 20, 2025.
  41. ↑ Roussey, Tom (July 17, 2025). "First look inside Dulles International Airport's latest expansion project". WJLA. Retrieved October 20, 2025.
  42. ↑ Miroff, Nick; Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (source) (September 14, 2006). "Aerotrain Staying on Schedule". Washington Post. pp. B01.
  43. 1 2 Weiss, Eric M. (August 19, 2008). "Dulles Updates Its People Movers". The Washington Post. p. B.1. ISSN 0190-8286. ProQuest 410248159. Retrieved October 20, 2025.
  44. 1 2 "AeroTrain has arrived at Dulles Airport". Railway Track & Structures. Vol. 106, no. 3. Mar 2010. p. 8. ProQuest 213094388
  45. ↑ Yu, Roger (September 14, 2009). "Airport check-in". USA Today. p. B.6. ProQuest 409113185.
  46. ↑ "Security Shortlines". Air Safety Week. Vol. 23, no. 35. September 28, 2009. ProQuest 204710882; "New Passenger Security Screening Areas Open at Dulles International Airport Tomorrow" (PDF). Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority Office of Public Affairs. September 14, 2009. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 16, 2010. Retrieved October 12, 2010.
  47. ↑ "D2 Projects: AeroTrain System". Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority. Archived from the original on November 13, 2007. Retrieved January 10, 2008.
  48. ↑ Miroff, Nick (September 14, 2006). "Airport's Future is on Rails". Washington Post. pp. B01.
  49. ↑ "Washington Dulles International Airport|" (PDF). Retrieved 2019-03-27.
edit
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=User:Epicgenius/sandbox/draft1&oldid=1318256488"