The Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is undergoing a major renovation in preparation for the 2028 Summer Olympic Games. To accommodate the large influx of visitors expected to attend the games, a significant investment is being made to upgrade and modernize the airport’s infrastructure.
One major component of this plan involves installing Platform Screen Door systems from Horton Automatics to make travel on the Automated People Mover (APM) system more convenient, efficient and secure. The LAX Automated People Mover is an electric train system on a 2.25-mile elevated guideway with six stations between the rental car facility and the central terminal area.
According to Horton Vice President of Transit Fred Romero, Horton was awarded this major project along with contracting partner Bagatelos Architectural Glass Systems to install a total of 113 Platform Screen Doors before the updated APM system launches in late 2023.
Platform Screen Doors are integrated with APM gate systems to provide a synchronized, automated barrier between platforms and tracks. These doors improve safety for passengers by preventing objects or people from falling onto train tracks, protect against wind or debris entering railway vehicle compartments, reduce noise pollution and ensure temperature control inside APM vehicles.
Horton Automatics has been leading the transit industry with its innovative Platform Screen Door systems for nearly 50 years. “Our experience coupled with our outstanding reputation for reliability and dependability is the reason we were selected as the PSD provider on this high-profile project,” says Romero. “Some of the PSD systems we installed in the early 1970s are still in operation today.”
“Horton is proud to be a partner as we execute our scope in this effort in designing, fabricating, installing and putting into operation the Platform Screen Door systems at LAX,” Romero says. “Horton is working with various contractors to ensure a seamless functional and aesthetic integration so that our doors do their part to help the third largest airport reach new levels of style and performance.”
