Investigation of Design Criteria for APM Guideways

by Donatus U. Muotoh, N. D. Lea & Associates Inc, Washington, DC, USA,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Automated People Movers: Engineering and Management in Major Activity Centers

Abstract:

Designers have relied mostly on the provisions of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Standard Specifications for Highway Bridges. Sometimes AASHTO codes have been revised to reflect any special load characteristics of the particular APM vehicle. The problem is that because of the higher predictability of APM loads, an unreasonable application of existing highway bridge codes may lead to overly conservative guideway structures and consequently increased system cost. This paper reviews existing design criteria, assesses their appropriateness for APM aerial guideway design, and explores the feasibility of an industry-wide set of design criteria that will reduce the cost of APM aerial guideway structures.

Subject Headings: Highway and road design | Structural design | Highway bridges | Guideways | Structural analysis | Standards and codes | Load factors

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