50 Years of Powering APMs: A Historical Perspective of Variables and Constants in Power Rail Design

The purpose of this paper is to provide a brief historical perspective on powering automated people movers (APMs) and a practical guide for owners, operators, contractors, and consultants for the selection and life-cycle management of power rail systems for APMs. Over the course of history, numerous methods of propulsion have been applied to people movers - automated and non-automated. Some technologies have stood the test of time providing safety, reliability and cost-effective operation, while others have gone by the wayside for a variety of reasons. This paper will start with a brief look at the pros and cons of three early people movers (only one truly automated). The author offers these examples to convey the necessity of a systems approach to the application of modern power rail systems for APMs.