The use of aluminium in trains has grown steadily in recent years and is expected to continue in the coming years. Aluminium can reduce the overall weight of a railway carriage body by half and is therefore a crucial part of the transformation in the railway industry. Aluminium is crucial for modernising trains and increasing energy efficiency.
INNOVIA 300 APM vehicles
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Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) will be the first U.S. airport to use the INNOVIA 300 APM vehicles with regenerative braking system. The outer skin of the INNOVIA 300 APM is made of aluminum, which indicates an ever-increasing use for train bodies. An APM (Automated People Mover) is a fully automated system without a driver and usually moves on a flat plane, which distinguishes it from funiculars.
The $3 billion project is being led by LAX Integrated Express Solutions (LINXS), the design-build team responsible for the automated people mover. Testing of the cars on the elevated track will begin soon. Authorities are aiming for the project to be completed by December 8, 2025, with operations to begin in January 2026.
The use of aluminum can reduce the overall weight of a wagon by 50 percent. Aluminum, a key structural element in modern train construction, is currently used to create contrails that connect several components of the train structure, including the floor, side walls, ceiling, side walls and floor panels.
On Wednesday, officials announced that the final four cars for the long-awaited Automated People Mover (APM) had arrived, bringing the total on site to 44. The first cars are expected to arrive in summer 2022, with the remaining vehicles being delivered gradually from the manufacturer in Pennsylvania, according to airport officials.
“The delivery of the final rail cars for the APM is an important milestone for this project and the transformation of our airport. The APM will enhance the travel experience at LAX and set a new standard for sustainable transportation. As we move forward with this project, we remain committed to delivering a state-of-the-art solution that reflects our commitment to our passengers, community and the environment,” said John Ackerman, CEO of Los Angeles World Airports.
Increase in the total cost of the project
On August 16, the Los Angeles City Council approved an increase in the total cost of the delayed Automated People Mover project at LAX from $2.9 billion to $3.34 billion. The increase will take legal claims into account and the project is now scheduled to begin operations in January 2026.
Previously, in May, the LAWA board approved an additional $200 million for the project to address similar claims from contractors. That amount is included in this adjustment of over $400 million, bringing the total amount of compensation to approximately $550 million.
In addition, $50 million will be set aside as a contingency fund, which airport officials say may not be fully utilized. The settlement primarily covers additional work completed by LINXS since August 2018 and takes into account the extended construction period.
The project is expected to be completed in time for major global events in the Los Angeles region, such as the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The electric rail system, which spans 3.6 kilometers of elevated track with six stations, will be free to use for ticketed passengers, their guests and airport employees.
