Detroit Transportation Corporation

COMPANY HISTORY

The Detroit People Mover (DPM) was built as part of an Urban
Mass Transportation Administration (UMTA) – now Federal Transit
Administration (FTA) demonstration project. The intent of that
program was to determine how well a fully automated transit
system might contribute to the revitalization of central business
districts of major older cities such as Detroit, and whether such an
automated technology could provide effective circulation/distribution
service at a cost lower than conventional bus systems.
Construction of the DPM system began in the spring of 1983
under the auspices of the Southeastern Michigan Transit Authority
(SEMTA), now the Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional
Transportation (SMART). On October 3, 1985, the Detroit
Transportation Corporation (DTC) was established to be the agency
responsible for completion of the project construction and thereafter
assume full ownership responsibility for the DPM. The DPM system
began operating revenue service on July 31, 1987.

COMPANY PROFILE
The DTC is owner and operator of the DPM. The Detroit People
Mover is a fully automated light rail system that operates on an
elevated single-track loop in Detroit’s central business district. The
system provides connections between the courts and administrative
offices of several levels of government, sport arenas, exhibition
centers, major hotels, and commercial, banking and retail districts.
Service is frequent, unencumbered by vehicle or pedestrian traffic,
and conveniently available throughout the central business district.
The integration of eight of the 13 People Mover stations into preexisting
structures links more than 9 million square feet that can be
traversed unimpeded by outside elements.
The DTC provides service to its patrons according to a seven-day
schedule, which equates to 118.5 hours of operation per week for
a nominal fee of 75 cents per ride. A fleet of 12 fully automated
vehicles, which can be deployed in one or two car trains, provides
this service. These vehicles travel in a counterclockwise direction
and are propelled by two linear induction motors per car, which
convey the steel-wheeled vehicles over the system’s 2.9 miles of
continuously welded steel rail track.
Each vehicle is heated or air conditioned as required for customer
comfort. When in full loop operations, the vehicles are scheduled to
provide service in 3- to 5-minute intervals. Completion of the entire
route takes approximately 15 minutes or less.
The DPM guideway is completely elevated and can be currently
accessed at any of 13 passenger stations that are spaced at
approximately quarter-mile intervals around the alignment. All
stations are accessible to elderly and disabled persons, with the
exception of Grand Circus Park. Passengers requiring elevator or
escalator service should board and/or disembark at either Times
Square or Broadway. Eight of the 13 People Mover stations (Times
Square, Cobo Center, Joe Louis Arena, Financial District, Millender
Center, GM Renaissance Center, Greektown, Grand Circus Park)
are integrated into adjacent buildings, and the remaining five
freestanding stations (Michigan, Fort/Cass, Bricktown, Cadillac
Center, Broadway) are designed to facilitate direct access from
future developments at the platform level if and when that is
appropriate.
Each of the 13 DPM stations contains major works of art that
generate considerable interest, promote ridership and enhance
the appearance of the system. In addition, the exhibit collectively
named Art In The Stations has won numerous national as well as
international awards for outstanding public art.