SCJ staff worked with the Greater Toronto Airport Authority (GTAA) during the design and procurement of an Automated People Mover (APM) system for the Lester B. Pearson International Airport. The APM system was part of the airport’s $4 billion improvement program.

SCJ staff provided a broad range of services including ridership analysis, preliminary engineering, fixed facility interface definition, preparation of procurement documents, proposal evaluations, and preferred bidder negotiations. They also served as the owner’s agent and assisted GTAA with supplier design reviews, construction observation, and witnessing of system acceptance activities.

The original program was to implement the APM system in two separate phases. Phase 1 was planned to install the APM system to allow connection of the new Terminal 1 with existing Terminal 3, allowing for expansion of the system during Phase 2. The remaining Phase 2 was to be developed to expand the current system running between the terminals with the remote parking lot.

After detailed analysis, creative procurement, and negotiation, the team was able to achieve significant cost savings by implementing the entire APM system in a single phase. This allowed the accelerated development of the remote parking and related facilities.

The alignment underwent several detailed reviews to optimize the ride, while navigating a complicated web of existing and under-construction roadways. The alignment and system was ultimately chosen to allow the APM to provide a very high level of service, even during the harsh Toronto winter seasons.