System Obsolescence and Planning the Future of Aging APM Systems

摘要

Automated people mover (APM) systems often serve as critical components of an airport's operating model. APMs are a highly reliable investment, but they do require ongoing maintenance to preserve their high availability. As an APM ages, its subsystems will begin to reach their expected design lives. It is not uncommon for third-party supplier components to be discontinued in deference to newer products. Processor-based equipment tends to have a higher rate of obsolescence. Varying subsystem design lives further complicate the management of subsystem obsolescence. When reaching these subsystem milestones, owners can use this as an opportunity to assess their APM's current condition, the airport's short-term needs, and the long-term operational, and capital planning goals. Decisions will need to be made in the context of the overall system's design life. This paper presents examples of real-world decisions that required an evaluation process to address the owner's short-term needs contrasted against their long-term goals.