PHX Sky Train, Sky Harbor International Airport, Phoenix

The PHX Sky Train System has a 30m tall bridge running across a taxiway that links the south and north runways.

PHX Sky Train System is the most viable option for addressing the issue of traffic congestion. Image courtesy of HOK.

The stations have been artistically designed to have glass murals, terrazzo floors and sculptural ceiling. Image courtesy of HOK.

The Skytrains operate round-the-clock at a frequency of approximately three minutes. Image courtesy of HOK.

The PHX train system is designed to last for at least 30 years. Image courtesy of Cygnusloop99.

Gannett Fleming designed the rail system and bridges, while HOK designed the stations. Image courtesy of dsearls.

Sky Harbor International Airport of Phoenix (PHX) unveiled the automated inter-terminal train system PHX Sky Train in April 2013. The Sky Train covers a distance of 1.7 miles (2.73km) connecting the airport’s 88-gate Terminal 4 and economy parking structure to the Phoenix’s Metro light rail station.

The airport is among the ten leading busy airports in the USA in terms of passenger flow. More than 10,000 travellers arrive and depart at Sky Harbor International Airport on a normal day.

The PHX Sky Train replaces shuttle buses, and thus minimises traffic congestion and pollution at the airport. The train system has been constructed to last for a minimum of three decades.

The Sky Train services will be used by approximately 2.5 million travellers during the initial year of operation, and 14 million per year when fully complete.

Background of the Sky Harbor PHX Sky Train

Vehicular traffic at PHX has been proportionately increasing with growth of Phoenix city’s population. The airport authorities carried out a detailed study on how to manage the traffic, with several options considered. The study highlighted that expanding roadways was not a practical solution, and that a mass transit system needed to be developed in the city.

The PHX Sky Train System was therefore decided upon as the most viable option for addressing the traffic congestion.

PHX Sky Train project construction

The $1.58bn PHX Sky Train System is being constructed in three stages, with the current route denoting completion of the first stage. The construction work of the first phase led to generation of approximately 6,000 jobs.

Stage 1a of the project will extend the line from Terminal 4 to Terminal 3, covering a distance of approximately 0.7 miles (1.1km). It will become operational in 2015. Stage 2 of the project will further extend the line by 2.5km. The entire system will be functional by 2020.

Facilities of the PHX Sky Train system

The PHX Sky Train System includes a 30m-high bridge running across a taxiway that links the south and north runways.

Three elevated stations, the 44th Street Station, Terminal 4 Station and Economy Parking Station, are included in the first stage of the project. The stations have been artistically designed to have glass murals, terrazzo floors and sculptural ceiling. All the facilities of the project are Gold LEED certified.

The new Sky Train stations are designed in an elliptical shape to offer protection to passengers from extreme weather conditions. The design has also enabled a 30% drop in steel usage in comparison with regular structures. The 44th Street and the Terminal 4 Stations have air conditioning, while the Economy Parking Station is inclusive of a shaded waiting area and fans.

The 44th Street Station provides for Early Bag check, which allows passengers from Southwest Airways and US Airways to get their bags checked at no added cost.

All Sky Train stations have kiosks where passengers can print their boarding passes.

Funding for the PHX airport train system

The funds needed for the execution of the Sky Train System project have been generated from passenger fees and airport revenues.

The first stage cost $644m, while the investment on stage 2 is expected to be $696m.

Rolling stock for the PHX Sky Train system

The PHX Sky Train system currently runs six Bombardier INNOVIA APM 200 train sets on electric power. The trains operate round-the-clock at frequencies of approximately three minutes during peak periods. Each car is designed to accommodate 53 passengers.

The trains transport up to 2,000 people in one direction, every hour, at an average speed of 23mph. The trains can reach a maximum speed of 38mph.

The INNOVA APM 200 train sets feature an aerodynamic design, which enables higher speed and negotiating of sharp curves. Each car of the train set weighs approximately 14.4t.

The composite shell body of the car has tinted windows. The cars are air-conditioned and can also accommodate two wheelchairs, subject to availability of space.

PHX Sky Train contractors

Gannett Fleming designed the rail system and bridges, while HOK designed the stations of the PHX Sky Train.

Bombardier Transportation is the construction contractor the PHX Sky Train System. The $255m contract was awarded in 2009. A separate contract was also awarded to Bombardier to take care of maintenance and operation of the system for a decade, subsequent to deployment.

Hensel Phelps was the construction manager for the first stage of the project.