Doppelmayr: Competitive bid earns DCC New Doha International Airport project

The New Doha International Airport (NDIA) Steering Committee awarded its Automated People Mover contract to DCC Doppelmayr Cable Car GmbH & Co after reviewing bids from top manufacturers competing for the prestigious and challenging project.

The $5.5 billion New Doha International Airport, opening in 2009, is expected to become one of the biggest in the Middle East, handling an estimated 50 million passengers by 2015. The airport's new, two-station APM system will be 500 meter long, with two trains moving approx. 6000 passengers per hour, per direction.

Meeting tight design and installation schedule, minimized structural impact by the light APM system, special system features & design, and finally, low operational costs, were all critical selection factors for the project, which is described as highly demanding.

"It is challenging and prestigious because it has very high requirements … the client want the best available or even better in design quality and system features," said Bo Birk Pedersen, DCC Sales & Marketing Director. DCC's cable propulsion technology proved ideal for the Doha Project, which calls for an indoor system with trains moving directly through the terminal building. The silent, cable-propelled train has no exhaust, leaks no oil, and does not shed brake dust. It will be completely clean and silent. DCC provided the best value price of all submitted bids and DCC's highly efficient system offers the lowest operations and maintenance costs available for an APM.

Pedersen explained that the company's ability to offer a new generation vehicle was influential in the process, during which DCC unveiled its newest vehicle design. The walk-through trains provide additional capacity and feature large glass roofs for a pleasantly open environment. Passengers will be able to enjoy a view of the airport's architecture, designed by HOK (Hellmuth, Obata & Kassabaum).

DCC's acquisition of the Doha International Airport contract cements its position as a key player in the APM industry. The company has seen intensive growth in the past several years, leveraging the strengths of its cable propulsion technology and record-breaking installation schedules. Recent contracts awarded to the Austrian based company include major systems in Venice, Mexico City, and the largest private development in U.S. history, MGM's CityCenter in Las Vegas.

Factbox:
Client:New Doha International Airport
Consultants to Client: Overseas Bechtel Incorporated (OBI): Program managerAPM specialist consultant: Lea + Elliott
Contract awarded to DCC Doppelmayr Cable Car GmbH & Co
System length: 500 m
System Capacity: 6,000 pphpd 
Train: two 5-car trains
Travel speed: 12.5 m/s (45 km/h)
Travel time: 60 seconds