Atlanta Hartsfield International Airport (USA)

Automated People Mover Simulations

2000 - 2001

Logplan developed an Automated People Mover simulation tool for Atlanta Hartsfield International Airport that allowed for the testing of system specific upgrade solutions in order to increase APM capacity while avoiding substantial investment in additional infrastructure.

The APM system simulation developed by Logplan provides a graphical representation and evaluation of different system configurations by testing the impact that system changes had on system operation and the service quality for transported passengers. This simulation program was one of the first of its kind on the market that could accurately display passenger movement. The simulation also provided the following key features:

  • Simulation of the passenger flow for the peak hour (as well as weekly forecasts);
  • Display of the passenger load on all stations;
  • Display of the passenger load on all trains;
  • Capacity of the People Mover System (passengers per hour and direction);
  • Headways and roundtrip times;
  • Downtime simulation.

The simulation design approach allows for extensions to the people mover model as well as the possibility of adding additional modules to evaluate adjoined facilities.

After programming and validating the model, simulation runs based on different train configurations and modified controls were made to determine the impact of system upgrades on the capacity and the systems' behavior.

With the aid of the simulation model, Logplan provided Atlanta with a three phase upgrade solution that greatly reduced headway and substantially increased the capacity of the APM. The primary focus of this type of simulation is to provide a tool for airport operators to optimize existing systems and test technology changes. Logplan also developed a similar simulation model for Denver International Airport with the expanded feature of failure mode testing.