Technology Developments from the Las Colinas APT System

Kapala, John W.; Culver, Frank R.; ,

Technology Developments from the Las Colinas APT System

by John W. Kapala, AEG Westinghouse Transportation, Systems, Inc, Pittsburgh, United States,
Frank R. Culver, AEG Westinghouse Transportation, Systems, Inc, Pittsburgh, United States,

Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Automated People Movers IV

Abstract:

The purpose of this paper is to identify and discuss the major technical developments that were provided as part of AEG Westinghouse Transportation Systems, Inc.'s contract for the Las Colinas Area Personal Transit System (APT). The APT System was installed by AEG Westinghouse Transportation Systems, Inc. with operation beginning in June of 1989, featuring several new vehicle and wayside equipment designs. This paper will also follow these developments through subsequent applications. Any technical product development implemented in the transit industry carries with it a certain amount of risk. The transit industry is known for severe operating environment, unpredictable human interface, and demanding service schedules. Installing a system with new technology, or modified existing technology, requires rigorous design efforts, full review by engineering peers, manufacturing development, and complete testing in order to yield successfully reliable operation. AEG Westinghouse Transportation Systems, Inc. balances the degree of risk of any product development or enhancement, such that strategic funds may be applied to those projects deemed too risky for development on a customer program. The successful experience at Las Colinas has resulted in reliable hardware that is now being applied at other installations. This success required attention to all of the developmental details and long hours of design work and installation follow. This was made possible by a highly cooperative working relationship between the Owner, the Owner's consultant, and AEG Westinghouse.

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