Miami International Airport Automated People Mover

The MIA Mover, a dual track 1.25-mile long elevated people mover system, connects MIA passengers to the Rental Car Center (RCC) and the Miami Intermodal Center (MIC).  The power rail powered Automated People Mover (APM) system is a series of rubber tired driverless vehicles operating on two raised concrete plinths.

In January 2009 Mass Electric Construction began the 16.7 million dollar systems project as a subcontractor to Mitsubishi Heavy Industries America with the design provided by Burns Engineering, Inc.  This project involved the supply and installation of traction power, signals, and communication systems over the 1.25 mile elevated guide way and two passenger stations. MEC’s scope of work included the installation of cable tray, signal cable, communications cable,  traction power feeder cable, communications equipment, more than 225 electrical devices, and the installation of owner-furnished signal equipment.

MEC procured and installed a 2.5 megawatt traction power substation that provides power for the entire system. The substation was ship from the manufacture in 4 separate splits and reassembled on sight.  Because the substation was located directly under the guide way, MEC used a jack and slide installation method one section at a time.  Over 24,000 LF of cable tray was installed for the installation of over 250,000 LF of signal cable, 60,000 LF of traction power feeder cable, and 40,000 LF of fiber optic cables.

With guide way heights averaging 30 feet and sections exceeding 50 feet, access to the 1.25 mile elevated guide way proved to be a challenge. In order for MEC to complete this project, close coordination was required with the guide way, plinth, and guide rail/power rail contractors.

Completed and opened to the public in September 2011, the MIA Mover has the capacity to transport more than 3,000 passengers per hour between MIA and the MIC, Miami-Dade County’s own grand central station.