InMotion_Summer 2025

Doppelmayr’s Rope Pull System selected for the Newark AirTrain Replacement

Rendering of the AirTrain Newark replacement system Image credit: PANYNJ

NEWARK - The Newark AirTrain Replacement Project is a key capital investment Project for future mobility within the Newark Liberty International Airport connecting Station 1, Future Station 2, Station 3 and New Rail Link Station with a 2.5-mile, elevated rope pull system. The Project has three key Contract components which are the Maintenance and Control Facility (MCF,), Guideway and Stations (G&S), and System Technology. Lea+Elliott’s daily Project involvement allows our resources to be involved with the key Contract components in a number of technical and commercial facets. Within the Project, Doppelmayr has been selected as the System Technology provider, and we look forward to successful implementation of this technology into the airport environment. In consideration of the implementation of the Doppelmayr Rope Pull System Technology, we note that this Project is different than other APM projects in that it resembles integration of a large, mechanical and electrical machine when you consider ropes, sheaves, pulleys, drive machines, return machines, and rope exchange units required for the technology. Geometry designs become a key component of multiple integrations beyond what is recognized in a typical APM project tied to civil alignment. The ropes must not only follow the civil alignment at guideway track level but must also take into account of geometric and relational aspects which guide the ropes around all the sheaves, pulleys, return machines, rope exchanges, and drive machines. Yes, all these other mechanical elements that interface with the ropes need to establish a volumetric space along the System which

requires many considerations in rope geometry and respective locational limitations regarding the composition of the System for available spaces in stations and MCF facilities. Like other APM systems, we also need to account for equipment rooms, power distribution rooms and central control rooms but again, we stress that integration of the electrical and mechanical aspects into the G&S plus MCF becomes critical. As the Project proceeds forward, we will provide additional insight into highlights regarding additional implementation of the chosen system technology for this Project as well as Project execution highlights as applicable and available. Progress photos will also be available as we move from design to construction aspects. We have some very exciting things happening in this Project and look forward to respectively sharing.

In Motion

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