Tampa International Airport, Automated People Mover

Tampa International Airport (TPA) is the premier gateway to Florida’s west coast. The airport currently serves approximately 17 million passengers per year with 77 domestic and international destinations.

At the end of 2011, Tampa International Airport began the process of updating the Master Plan for the airport’s 3,300-acre campus. The final plan outlined three phases of expansion to accommodate 35 million passengers each year – more than double their existing number of annual passengers. The first phase eliminates curbside, road, and main terminal congestion by adding roughly 55,000 SF accompanied by many functional and aesthetic improvements. It includes a 2.6 million SF consolidated rental car center near the airport’s entrance, a 1.4-mile automated people mover (APM), and expansion of the main terminal.

Burns provided traction power engineering and construction documents for all system elements on the APM guideway, and managed all mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineering, while facilitating coordination between disciplines. The new 85-ft high APM connects the main terminal to economy parking and the new consolidated rental car center. This reduces the walking times within the terminal and ensures an enhanced traveler experience.

Burns served as a subconsultant to Mitsubishi Heavy Industries of America, who led the installation of the new APM system.