Frankfurt Airport operator Fraport has awarded a consortium comprised of Siemens, Bögl Group and Keolis Deutschland to build a fully automated people mover.
Operating 24/7 at two minute headways, the 5.6km guideway transit system will connect Terminal 2 with the multi-billion dollar Terminal 3, which is currently under construction, as well as Frankfurt Airport long-distance station at Terminal 1.
The system, Siemens’ ‘Airval’ turnkey solution, will have two tracks and three stations. It will run on rubber tires, use a central rail guidance system and be designed and developed at the German manufacturer’s competence centre in Toulouse, France.
As well as delivering trackwork equipment, station platform doors, a communication system, depot equipment and the power supply system, Siemens will deliver 12 two-car trains.
These trains will be equipped with its own Trainguard MT communications-based train control system, have large doors, spacious aisle, internet access and a top speed of 80km/h.
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The people mover is scheduled to begin service in 2023, from which point Siemens will take over the operation and maintenance of the system for five years with an option to extend service for another five years.
During peak times, it is expected to carry more than 4,000 passengers per hour per direction.
Fraport chairman Stefan Schulte said that it has chosen a “reliable system provider in the market”.
He added: “The new passenger transport system will increase the comfort and convenience for our customers and sustainably strengthen the hub function of the Frankfurt Airport.”
Siemens Mobility CEO Sabrina Soussan said: “Over 30 years of experience have gone into our Val systems – along with a steady stream of improvements.
“Frankfurt is already our second Airval order received this fiscal year, following the order for the Bangkok airport. With its high availability level, we deliver an especially reliable product to our customers.”
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