The Transportation and Development Institute (T&DI) of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) is holding the 15th International Conference on Automated People Movers and Automated Transit Systems in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on April 17-20, 2016. Below is information about the conference.
Automated People Movers and Transit Systems – Innovation in a Rapidly Urbanizing World
More than half the world’s population lives in cities. In less than forty years it will be two-thirds as urbanization continues at a rapid pace. Airports are no longer in remote locations. They have become part of the urbanized landscape, with development occurring right up to the boundaries. World-wide, airline passengers are expected to rise 31% by 2017 with even more growth in future decades. For over half a century, APMs and ATS have played an important role in transportation in cities and at airports. The coming decades will offer even more opportunities and challenges as colleagues work together to improve the quality of life around the globe.
Thus, it is appropriate to explore the role of innovative applications of APMs and ATS. How will these systems evolve? And how might PRT, autonomous road vehicles, and other new technologies contribute to the efficient movement of people? How might these systems work together synergistically with current and future physical infrastructure? The future is open to our collective imagination.
The conference will be held in Toronto, the largest city in Canada and the country’s commercial capital, with a regional population of over six million. The Toronto Transit Commission operates the third largest mass transit system in North America with a wide range of modes including the Scarborough APM dating to 1985. Daily ridership is approaching three million trips. Toronto also is the location of Highway 401, the most highly traveled road in North America. Toronto Pearson International Airport is the largest and busiest in Canada. The Terminal Link Train APM opened in 2006. The Union Pearson Express (UP Express) opened in June 2015 and links Union Station and Pearson Airport. Toronto will be an exciting place for transportation professionals in 2016!
In addition, the conference hotel is the historic and elegant Fairmont Royal York. Opened in 1929, this upscale hotel retains original features such as hand-painted ceilings and travertine pillars and is a 13-minute walk from the CN Tower and 1.3 km from the Harbourfront Centre. There are 4 restaurants, a cafe and a bar, as well as a spa with a 24/7 gym, an indoor pool and a whirlpool, plus a business center.
During the conference, we will examine the current state of APMs and ATS, and explore what the future might hold. Share your opinion and hear what planners, inventors, designers, suppliers, builders, government officials, owners, and operators of automated transit of all forms have to say about these technologies. Network with your fellow attendees at meals and breaks, and talk to exhibitors about what equipment and services they have to offer. Take advantage of the ASCE APM conference’s international collegial community to share experiences, reveal innovations, look to the future, and discuss lessons learned and the latest developments in automated transit of all forms.
Attending the technical program will make you eligible for professional development hours (PDHs) that can be used to show your commitment to maintaining your competency to licensing boards. And you can have fun doing it on a technical tour of the Terminal Link Train and the ground breaking accelerating High Speed Express Walkway at the Toronto Pearson International Airport.
We welcome you from around the world for APM-ATS 2016 in Toronto!
Steve Perliss, P.E., M.ASCE
Bill Sproule, Ph.D., P.E., F.ASCE
Michael R. Riseborough RPA,FMA,FMP,CFM,AAE,Aff.M.ASCE
Craig Elliott, A.M.ASCE
Conference Co-Chairs