The MIA Mover is an automated people mover (APM) system which opened at the Miami International Airport (MIA) in metropolitan Miami, Florida, United States on September 9, 2011. The MIA Mover is designed to quickly transport landside passengers between Miami International Airport's Main Terminal and the Miami Intermodal Center (MIC). The MIA Mover is one of three separate automated people movers operating at the airport. The others are the Skytrain, which operates within Concourse D, and the MIA e Train people mover connecting Concourse E's satellite building.[3]

MIA Mover
MIA Mover en route to the MIA Station
Overview
StatusOperating
LocaleMiami International Airport
Termini
Stations2
Service
TypePeople mover
Services1
Operator(s)Miami-Dade Aviation Department[1]
Rolling stockMitsubishi Crystal Mover vehicles
History
OpenedSeptember 9, 2011
Technical
Line length1.27 miles (2.04 km)[2]
CharacterServes non-sterile areas of the airport
ElectrificationThird rail
Operating speed43 miles per hour (69 km/h) (top)
Highest elevationElevated
Route map

Gates
MIA e Train
Gates
E20–E33
Concourse E
Satellite
Skytrain
Station 4
D40–D60
0E2–E11
Concourse E
Station 3
D26–D39
Concourse F
Concourse G
Concourse H
Station 2
D20–D25
Concourse J
Station 1
D1–D19
Florida 953.svg
SR 953
Le Jeune Road
Rental car center
Miami Intermodal Center
MIA Mover

History edit

In 2007, construction of a people mover instead of an extension of the existing Metrorail system to the airport became the preferred option for local authorities to provide greater connectivity to the airport terminals (Metrorail will connect at Miami Airport Station).[4] On March 2, 2009, ground was officially broken for the project.[5] Projected to transport 48,000 daily visitors by 2020, the MIA Mover construction utilized design-build methods and was paid for from a combination of revenue from the Miami-Dade Aviation Department's Capital Improvement Program and the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT).[2][5]

In May 2012, MIA Mover suffered a minor derailment, and a breakdown in July 2017 required riders to walk along the tracks escorted by fire fighters.[6]

System edit

 
MIA Mover (black) connects to many transit systems at the Miami Intermodal Center (MIC).

Costing an estimated $259 million to complete, the 1.27 miles (2.04 km) link travels east from the MIA Station, to Central Boulevard and finally to NW 21st Street, where it curves north into the MIC Station.[2][7] The ride lasts approximately three minutes. The concrete guideways are generally elevated an average of 40 feet (12 m) above grade and are supported by concrete piers every 120 feet (37 m).[8] The vehicles used are Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Crystal Movers (The same model also operates on the Skytrain in Concourse D).

Stations edit

The MIA Mover has two stations: the MIC Station and the MIA Station.

'MIC Station' The MIC Station is the eastern terminus of the line located on the fourth floor of the MIC.[7] The station contains direct access to the MIC's rental car center and Miami Airport Station where connections can be made to Metrorail, Tri-Rail, buses and taxicabs.[7] The station is being constructed by FDOT.[2]

'MIA Station' The MIA Station is the western terminus of the line located on the third floor of the main terminal building between the Flamingo and Dolphin Parking Garages.[7] Constructed by MDAD, a storage and maintenance facility for the APM vehicles is located beneath the MIA Station.[2]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Miami Intermodal Center". www.micdot.com. Retrieved 2019-06-10.
  2. ^ a b c d e Schroeder, (2009) p. 128.
  3. ^ Miami-Dade Aviation Department. "Miami International Airport: MIA Mover & Rental Car Center (RCC)". Retrieved January 9, 2010.
  4. ^ Lebowitz, Larry (February 9, 2007). "People mover favored for MIA". The Miami Herald.
  5. ^ a b Staff Reporters (March 2, 2009). "MIA Mover breaks ground". South Florida Business Journal. Retrieved January 10, 2010.
  6. ^ Alex Harris (July 24, 2017). "MIA travelers walk along tracks after their airport train breaks down". Miami Herald. Retrieved July 24, 2017.
  7. ^ a b c d Miami Intermodal Center. "Miami Intermodal Center: MIA Mover". Retrieved January 9, 2010.
  8. ^ Schroeder, (2009) p. 129.

Bibliography edit

  • Schroeder, B.M. "MIA Mover APM: A Fixed Facilities Design-Build Perspective." Automated People Movers, 2009: Connecting People, Connecting Places, Connecting Modes: Proceedings of the Twelfth International Conference, May 31-June 3, 2009 : Atlanta, Georgia. Ed. Robert R. Griebenow. American Society of Civil Engineers.