The Simulation of APM Operations: A Case Study of Suvarnabhumi Airport
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Issued Date
2024-01-01
Resource Type
eISSN
17982340
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85212714136
Journal Title
Journal of Advances in Information Technology
Volume
15
Issue
4
Start Page
458
End Page
466
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Journal of Advances in Information Technology Vol.15 No.4 (2024) , 458-466
Suggested Citation
Thongboonpian T., Weerawat W., Tomii N. The Simulation of APM Operations: A Case Study of Suvarnabhumi Airport. Journal of Advances in Information Technology Vol.15 No.4 (2024) , 458-466. 466. doi:10.12720/jait.15.4.458-466 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/102573
Title
The Simulation of APM Operations: A Case Study of Suvarnabhumi Airport
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Author's Affiliation
Corresponding Author(s)
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Abstract
For the first time in Thailand, an Automated People Mover (APM) has been implemented at Suvarnabhumi Airport. The APM uses the guided way concept similar to metro rail operations, but with driverless trains on rubber wheels. As the APM becomes a key transport technology especially for large airports, it is worth investigating the operations to ensure service viability of driverless APM operations. This research uses a microscopic simulation model to evaluate the feasibility of APM operations and timetables in accordance with capacity requirements. The APM headway is often limited by turn-back operations using a single track at the entry-exit of the station. To increase line capacity, headway should be decreased or train capacity should be increased and the itinerary needs to be reevaluated. For an airport APM, the headway should only be decreased within certain limits to achieve the benefits of higher network capacity without compromising passenger travelling time. Increasing train capacity using coupled trains can accommodate more passengers on each trip, but the number of trains available should be considered. The simulation result reveals the critical factors that contribute to improve network capacity and offers guidance for the complex APM operations in the future.