Jacksonville´s Automated Skyway Express

On May 30, 1989, the Jacksonville (Florida) Transportation Authority (JTA) commenced operations of the Phase 1A, starter line of their Automated Skyway Express (ASE), an automated guideway transit system. The starter line, which consists of 0.7 miles of double track with three passenger stations, is the first segment of the Jacksonville 2.5 mile, nine passenger station, totally automated aerial system. After 19 months of operation, the system is running with 99.5% availability and 99.7% schedule adherence, while carrying over 600000 passengers. Design is now underway for the completion of the Phase 1 System. The history of the system is described, from initial concept through the present operating system, to the present expansion plans. Some unique system features and some challenging aspects of the system design are addressed