Explore the Role of APM's in a City Mass Transit Plan

On November 1, 2000, the 2.5-mile Skyway Monorail Automated People Mover in Jacksonville, Florida opened its last two stations. Planned in the 70's to help relieve downtown traffic, congestion, air/noise, pollution and insufficient parking, today it does even more. Today it serves as the building blocks for the vision of a mass transit system to serve Jacksonville into the 21st Century and beyond. During the completion ceremonies Jacksonville Transportation Authority Chairman of the Board John S. Peyton commented. "While the Skyway project has faced numerous challenges and delays throughout its history, the completed system will be a transportation asset to a growing and changing Jacksonville. The Skyway is an anchor to which Jacksonville Transportation Authority's (JTA's) bus and trolley system already connect and for which future rapid transit such as light rail or busways will also interface". The role of an urban APM differs from the role of APMs used in other applications. The challenges are different the ridership more diverse.