DPM Evolution in the Past Ten Years

The University of Florida conducted in the early 1990s a research project related to downtown people movers (DPMs) and their feeder systems. This paper describes the evolution over the past ten years of the three DPM systems implemented in the United States: Miami's Metromover, Detroit's people mover and Jacksonville's Skyway. Although the ridership on all three DPMs has been significantly lower than original projections, these system have evolved with varying degrees of success and public support. The research conducted for this paper indicates that the success of DPM systems, more than any other transit mode, depends not only on ridership but equally on the role they can play in promoting downtown development; improving the image of the city by making it more attractive for tourists and businesses; enhancing the quality of life by providing a convenient, safe and dependable transit system for downtown mobility; being capable of efficiently handling large number of commuters during special sport or cultural events; and serving as a foundation for future transit expansion programs and downtown redevelopment plans.