ExpressTram

ExpressTram is an automated people mover system designed to transport passengers within the McNamara Terminal at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) in Romulus, Michigan.^[1] It operates along the full length of Concourse A, an approximately one-mile-long expanse, using driverless vehicles to connect three stations and enable efficient travel between gates, check-in areas, and other terminal facilities.^[1][2] The system was introduced as a key feature of the McNamara Terminal, which opened on February 25, 2002, to serve as a major hub for Delta Air Lines.^[3] Developed specifically for the terminal's expansive design, ExpressTram addressed the challenge of navigating the long concourse without relying solely on walking or moving walkways, marking an innovative integration of an enclosed automated people mover directly into an airport concourse.^[4] It has maintained high reliability, averaging over 99.5% uptime since its inception as of 2015, and supports Delta's operations by handling peak passenger flows; the system underwent maintenance shutdown from September 20 to 29, 2025, and continues to operate.^[2][5] ExpressTram utilizes technology from Otis Elevator Company, featuring the Hovair system with cable-pulled, driverless cars that run on an elevated track above the concourse floor.^[6] The three stations—Terminal Station (central, providing access to gates A29–A55, baggage claim, ground transportation, and tunnels to Concourses B and C), South Station (serving gates A1–A28), and North Station (serving gates A56–A78)—are equipped with LED signs and audio announcements for passenger guidance.^[1] Capable of transporting nearly 4,300 passengers per hour in each direction, the system enhances accessibility, including wheelchair services coordinated through airlines, and operates continuously to minimize wait times during busy periods.^[2][7]

History

Planning and Construction

In the late 1990s, Northwest Airlines undertook a major expansion of its hub at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) to accommodate growing passenger traffic and enhance connectivity for its international and domestic flights. The planned McNamara Terminal featured a expansive midfield design, including the 4,900-foot-long Concourse A, which necessitated an efficient intra-terminal transportation solution to minimize walking distances and support rapid aircraft turnarounds. To address this, planners incorporated a dedicated people mover system, the ExpressTram, to link key areas of the concourse and facilitate seamless passenger flow across the linear layout.^[8] The design of the ExpressTram was led by architects at SmithGroup, with engineering focused on an automated system optimized for the terminal's elongated structure. Engineers selected a cable-pulled, air-cushion mechanism—where trams float on a thin layer of pressurized air while being propelled by cables—for its quiet operation, energy efficiency, and ability to provide reliable service without onboard propulsion. This choice aligned with the terminal's goal of creating a streamlined passenger experience in a high-volume hub environment, drawing on proven hovercraft-like technology adapted for airport use.^[9][10] Construction of the ExpressTram began in 1999 as an integral component of the $1.2 billion McNamara Terminal project, with tram cars installed in October 2000 after being lowered through the roof structure. The work was completed by early 2002, coinciding with the terminal's overall readiness. Key stakeholders included Northwest Airlines as the primary funder and operator, the Wayne County Airport Authority overseeing regulatory and site aspects, and Hunt Construction Group serving as the general contractor responsible for integrating the system into the terminal build.^[9][11][9]

Opening and Operations

The ExpressTram officially opened on February 24, 2002, coinciding with the debut of the McNamara Terminal, then known as Northwest WorldGateway, at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport.^[8] This automated people mover system was integrated into the terminal's operations to facilitate efficient passenger movement within the expansive facility, which Northwest Airlines developed as its primary hub for domestic and international flights.^[12] Initial ridership was strong, with the ExpressTram receiving positive feedback for significantly reducing walking times across the mile-long Concourse A, allowing passengers to navigate the concourse more quickly during connections.^[1] Early operations effectively handled peak hub traffic for Northwest's Detroit flights, supporting the airline's role as a major connector for routes to Asia, Europe, and domestic destinations, and contributing to the terminal's overall high praise upon launch.^[8] The system's cable-pulled design enabled rapid starts and stops, enhancing its utility in the busy environment. The name "ExpressTram" derives from its fast, express service along Concourse A, emphasizing speed and convenience.^[1] Following the 2008 merger of Northwest Airlines with Delta Air Lines, the ExpressTram continued operations with minimal changes, seamlessly adapting to Delta's hub model at Detroit Metropolitan Airport.^[12] By 2009, Delta had fully assumed the hub role, maintaining the tram's integral function in daily airport use without significant alterations to its service or infrastructure.^[12]

Maintenance and Upgrades

In 2015, the ExpressTram underwent a significant maintenance shutdown to replace its steel cables, which had reached the end of their service life after each tram car accumulated 1 million miles of travel since opening.^[6] The closure lasted three weeks, from September 21 to October 12, during which both trams were taken out of service simultaneously.^[13] This work involved installing new 1.5-mile-long steel cables to ensure continued reliable operation.^[6] During the outage, passengers relied on the terminal's 20 moving walkways and available wheelchair assistance services to navigate the length of Concourse A, with airport concessions offering discounts to mitigate inconvenience.^[13] No major disruptions to overall airport operations were reported, as travelers were advised to allow extra time for transit between gates.^[6] A major upgrade project for both ExpressTram vehicles was completed in May 2019, following an eight-month effort conducted in three phases that refurbished or replaced hardware, software, and key equipment components.^[14] These enhancements included new air conditioning systems, door controls, carpeting, and updated sensors and controls, aimed at improving reliability, efficiency, and safety for at least the next 15 years.^[14] The $13 million initiative, managed by Otis Elevator Company with controls provided by Rockwell Automation, addressed aging infrastructure to support higher passenger volumes without frequent overhauls.^[14] In September 2025, the ExpressTram was temporarily shut down from September 20 to 29 for scheduled maintenance and upgrades to improve system reliability. During this period, passengers were advised to use moving walkways and allow additional time for navigation within the terminal, with no major operational disruptions reported.^[5] The Wayne County Airport Authority conducts ongoing maintenance protocols for the ExpressTram, including annual inspections of critical systems such as cables, air conditioning, and propulsion mechanisms to maintain operational standards and prevent failures. These routine checks align with the system's original cable-based design from 2002, which facilitates targeted repairs while minimizing downtime.^[15]

System Design

Technology and Features

The ExpressTram is an automated people mover system employing a cable-pull mechanism on an air cushion, configured as a horizontal elevator design for efficient intraconcourse transport. The vehicles operate on an elevated guideway positioned 21 feet (6.4 m) above the main floor, allowing passage over pedestrian areas without interference. This air-cushion technology enables the trams to float on a thin layer of compressed air, resulting in quiet, low-friction movement akin to a hovercraft.^[10][2][6] Propulsion is provided by two steel cables per car, driven by motors, which pull the vehicles along the guideway at speeds up to just over 30 mph. The system features four cars, arranged in two two-car trains, each constructed by the Otis Elevator Company using Hovair transit technology, ensuring redundant propulsion for reliability. Driverless operation is facilitated by automated control systems that manage acceleration, deceleration, and station docking without human intervention.^[2][6][16] Key safety features include emergency stop mechanisms integrated into the automated controls, along with preventative maintenance protocols such as periodic cable replacements to mitigate wear. Passenger information and alerts are delivered via LED signage and speakers positioned above the sliding doors, announcing approaching stations and any operational updates. Upgrades completed in 2019 have further enhanced safety through refurbished hardware, software, and equipment, including improved reliability components.^[14][1]

Route and Stations

The ExpressTram operates along an elevated guideway on the upper level of Concourse A in the McNamara Terminal at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, spanning nearly one mile from the southern end to the northern end of the concourse.^[1] The system includes three stations designed to facilitate efficient passenger movement across the terminal's layout. The South Station, at the southern terminus, serves gates A1 through A28 and offers convenient proximity to baggage claim and ground transportation facilities.^[1] The central Terminal Station provides access to gates A29 through A55, as well as check-in areas and the tunnel to Concourses B and C.^[1] The North Station, at the northern end, connects to gates A56 through A78, near the international arrivals and departures section.^[1] Trams run bidirectionally along the route, passing each other at the Terminal Station to maintain continuous service in both directions.^[1] End-to-end travel between the South and North Stations typically takes approximately 5 minutes.^[1] The guideway is seamlessly integrated into the terminal's architecture, with escalators and elevators providing access to each station from the concourse level below.^[1]

Operations

Capacity and Performance

The ExpressTram system at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport is designed to handle high volumes of airport traffic efficiently, with a capacity of nearly 4,300 passengers per hour in each direction.^[2] Each tram can accommodate passengers, primarily in a standing configuration to maximize throughput during peak travel periods. This setup allows the system to serve the demands of the McNamara Terminal's extensive Concourse A, facilitating rapid movement across its nearly one-mile length.^[1] Operating at a maximum speed of just over 30 mph, the ExpressTram significantly reduces transit times for passengers.^[6] The system's performance is underscored by a reliability rate exceeding 99.5% since the terminal's opening in 2002, ensuring minimal disruptions to airport operations.^[2] The air-cushion technology employed by the ExpressTram, which levitates the vehicles on a cushion of air while cable-pulled along the guideway, with each tram having logged over one million miles of service.^[2] Overall, these metrics enable the ExpressTram to effectively manage passenger flows, enhancing connectivity within one of the world's longest airport concourses.^[1]

Usage and Accessibility

The ExpressTram integrates seamlessly into daily airport navigation within the McNamara Terminal's Concourse A, complementing the extensive network of moving walkways that span the mile-long concourse to facilitate passenger movement between gates. Passengers are guided to the three tram stations via prominent LED displays and multilingual audio announcements, which provide real-time updates on arriving trains and upcoming stops, ensuring smooth transitions for travelers connecting flights. The system operates continuously around the clock, synchronized with the airport's flight schedules to support nonstop service during all operational periods.^[1] As the primary intra-concourse transport for Delta Air Lines' hub operations at DTW, the ExpressTram efficiently manages passenger flow by shuttling travelers between the central Terminal Station—serving gates A29-A55 and key amenities like check-in and baggage claim—and the end stations at South (gates A1-A28) and North (gates A56-A78). It particularly handles surges during Delta's banked flight schedules, accommodating high volumes of connections in the morning arrival/departure banks and evening peaks when hundreds of flights converge at the hub.^[17][1] The ExpressTram is fully ADA-compliant, featuring dedicated wheelchair spaces with support bars and securement straps for mobility-assisted passengers, accessible via upper-level elevators at each station. Tactile paving with truncated dome detectable warnings guides visually impaired users along platform edges, while audio announcements and paging systems provide audible cues for all riders; priority seating is reserved near doors for those needing assistance. Family-friendly restrooms, equipped with changing tables and fully wheelchair-accessible designs, are located throughout Concourse A near tram stations.^[18][7] In the event of downtime, such as during scheduled maintenance shutdowns—for example, from September 22 to 29, 2025—passengers rely on the concourse's moving walkways and pedestrian pathways for navigation within Concourse A, or terminal shuttles for access to Concourses B, C, or the Evans Terminal.^[1][5]