Equipped with automatic train operation (ATO) grade of operation 4 (GoA4), Alstoms driverless Innovia APM will further optimise the transfer of passengers reliably and efficiently.

December 2021 – Alstom’s Innovia automatic people mover (APM) system began passenger service the same day that the new satellite hall in Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport opened. The APM system project was undertaken by Alstom’s Chinese joint venture CRRC Puzhen Bombardier Transportation Systems Limited (PBTS) since 2018 and in September this year, PBTS also won the contract to provide operation and maintenance (O&M) service for the APM system.

The Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport is located on the east bank of the Pearl River approximately 32 kilometres away from downtown Shenzhen. The Innovia APM system runs on a 2.6 km line connecting an air side satellite hall to Shenzhen Airport’s existing Terminal 3. Operating at a maximum speed of 80 kilometres per hour, travel time for passengers is approximately 3 minutes. Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport has seen rapid passenger growth, surpassing 52 million passengers by the end of 2019, making it one of the busiest international airports in China. The satellite hall was designed to throughput 22 million passengers and will be an important structure to improve passenger capacity.

The Innovia APM system is equipped with the highest level of automation available to provide convenient transfer services between T3 and the satellite hall for domestic and foreign travelers. PBTS designed, built and commissioned all of the electrical and mechanical equipment, including all the Innovia APM vehicles. The propulsion equipment was provided by another Alstom Chinese joint venture, Bombardier NUG Propulsion System Co. Ltd. (BNP) [2], while its Chinese joint venture Bombardier NUG Signalling Solutions Co. Ltd. (BNS) [3] provided the advanced signalling systems Cityflo 650 to Shenzhen Airport APM.

“The start of operation of our Innovia APM at Shenzhen Airport marks another milestone for Alstom’s Chinese joint ventures and proof of customer trust in our products and services. The fully automated driverless technology will provide convenient transfer for arriving and departing passengers reliably and efficiently, while reducing operating personnel and operational costs. Alstom is always committed to working alongside our customers to realise their transportation visions by providing safe, smart, and reliable mobility solutions,” said Jianwei Zhang, President of Alstom China.

Alstom has already supplied APM systems to Beijing Capital International Airport, Chengdu Airport, Shenzhen Airport, Shanghai Metro Line 8 and Guangzhou Zhujiajxincheng, and is also currently delivering an Innovia APM system to Hong Kong Airport. Alstom’s APM technology will be in service in China’s six largest urban centres.

The driverless Innovia APM is a transportation system specially designed to serve airports and dense urban areas. It offers quick, comfortable, and convenient service for commuters within cities, to and from airports, or between airport terminals. Innovia APM cars operate on a dedicated guideway underground, on ground level or elevated. This ensures a consistent service that does not interfere with surrounding road or runway traffic. Built on 50 years of successful and dependable operation, Innovia APM systems incorporate modern aesthetics and advanced subsystems for optimised functionality. Over 30 of Alstom’s APM systems have been delivered around the world and are in operation at 12 of the world’s busiest airports.