First US airport to welcome INNOVIA 300 APM boasting aluminium body & regenerative brakes

The use of aluminium in trains has steadily increased in recent years and is likely to continue in the years to come. Aluminium can cut the total weight of a rail car body by half, making it a critical component in the railway industry’s shift. Aluminium is crucial in modernising trains and boosting energy efficiency.

INNOVIA 300 APM vehicles

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is set to become the first U.S. airport to utilise the INNOVIA 300 APM vehicles, featuring regenerative braking system. The outer layer of the INNOVIA 300 APM is composed of aluminium, thus indicating a steady increase in its use for train bodies. An APM (Automated People Mover) is a fully automatic system without drivers and usually moves along on a flat plane, which differentiates it from funicular railways.

The $3 billion project will be led by LAX Integrated Express Solutions (LINXS), the design-build team responsible for the Automated People Mover. Testing of the train cars on the elevated guideway will soon begin. Officials are targeting project completion by December 8, 2025, with operations expected to start in January 2026.

Using aluminium results in a 50 per cent reduction in the total weight of a rail car body. Aluminium, a prominent construction element used in modern train manufacturing, is currently being utilised to fabricate contrails that connect several components of the train’s structure, including the floor, sidewall, ceiling, sideboards, and floor panels

Officials announced on Wednesday that the final four train cars for the long-anticipated Automated People Mover (APM) have arrived, bringing the total number on site to 44. The first train cars arrived in the summer of 2022, with the remaining vehicles gradually delivered from the manufacturer in Pennsylvania, according to airport officials.

 “Receiving the final train cars for the APM signifies a major milestone for this project and our airport’s transformation. The APM will enhance the travel experience at LAX and set a new standard for sustainable transportation. As we move this project forward, we remain dedicated to delivering a state-of-the-art solution that reflects our commitment to our passengers, community and environment,” said John Ackerman, CEO of Los Angeles World Airports.

Raising the total cost of the project

On August 16, the Los Angeles City Council approved raising the total cost of the delayed Automated People Mover project at LAX from $2.9 billion to $3.34 billion. This increase addresses legal claims, and the project is now scheduled to begin operations in January 2026.

Previously, in May, the LAWA board authorised an additional $200 million for the project to address similar contractor claims, which is included in this $400 million-plus adjustment, bringing the total settlement to approximately $550 million.

Additionally, $50 million will be set aside as a contingency fund, which may or may not be fully allocated, according to airport officials. The settlement primarily covers extra work completed by LINXS since August 2018 and accounts for the extended construction timeline.

The project aims to be completed in time for major global events in the Los Angeles region, such as the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The electric train system, spanning 2.25 miles of elevated track with six stations, will be free to use for ticketed passengers, their guests, and airport employees.