O'Hare at stower

The Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) in the US has awarded Parsons Construction and Bombardier Transportation a contract to upgrade the airport transit system automated people mover at O’Hare International Airport.

Bombardier’s share in the contract is $180m, and includes the supply of 36 Innovia APM 256 rubber-tyred vehicles, communications-based train control (CBTC) system for driverless operation, and onboard communications.

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The vehicles and automatic train control system will to provide a competitive solution and capacity increase for Chicago airport transit upgrade.

"Bombardier offers a competitive, fully integrated system to O’Hare International Airport that will increase capacity and provide reliable transportation for passengers."

Bombardier Transportation Systems Division president Pierre Attendu: "With our proven Innovia APM 256 vehicles and Cityflo 650 CBTC technology, Bombardier offers a competitive, fully integrated system to O’Hare International Airport that will increase capacity and provide reliable transportation for passengers.

"We are confident that our vast experience in delivering brown-field system upgrades and asset replacements makes us the right partner to deliver this challenging project."

Bombardier said in a statement that the Innovia APM 256 vehicle was the suitable choice as it fits into O’Hare’s existing guideway infrastructure and station envelopes.

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Additionally, the Cityflo 650 CBTC system’s flexibility enables it to be installed and tested during downtime and it is important as the airport’s existing people mover system must remain in operation until replaced.


Image: O’Hare International Airport – Airport Transit System with Hilton Hotel in Background. Photo: courtesy of Lex839 via Wikipedia.

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