STS Controls Renewal and Replacement
Design Authorization
Seattle-Tacoma
International Airport
Item No. 6i_supp
Meeting Date: July 14, 2020
Satellite Transit System (STS)
The STS is an Automated People Mover (APM)
system that is the primary means for moving
the public to the North & South Satellites
▪ Design and construction: 1969 - 1972
▪ Last major upgrade: 1999 - 2003
▪ 2
nd
Airport APM in the World*
▪ 6 Stations with 1.7 Miles of track
▪ In 2019 the STS carried 28 Million PAX
▪ Replacement expected by 2034
Project Purpose
Renewal and replacement project for the STS’s
Automatic Train Control (ATC) sub-system and
associated software, hardware & networks
▪ Replaces 20 year old critical end of life &
obsolete components
▪ Optimizes STS system capacity
▪ System recovery time improved
▪ Project received positive MII vote
STS Controls Project – Scope
ATC System
- Software
- Hardware
- Network
- Radios
- Certification
VATC X 21 Cars
Goods & Services
Phase 2
Negotiated
Procurement
Fiber/ Electrical Loop
Network
Construction
Phase I
Customer Experience
• Planning on limiting STS shutdowns to
6 hour periods
▪ 23:00 to 5:00
▪ 12 to 15 month requirement
▪ Will test on shuttle track when possible
• Dedicated Wayfinding Staff
• Contracted Bus Support
Risks
Major Risks
▪ Safety: Moving train cars and exposed 600V power rail
▪ Major impacts to Satellite operations with extended STS outages
▪ Procurement method (single supplier negotiations)
▪ Daily transfer between new and old controls systems
Lessons Learned
▪ SFO (6 to 17 months, backwards compatibility, # test engineers)
▪ DFW (1
st
major airport upgrade of similar system)
▪ LHR (The same radio replacement strategy)
▪ 2003 SEA Upgrade (staffing, safety, training)
Project Timeline
Develop ATC
Bid Package
ATC Design
2020
2022 2024
2021 2023
ATC Installation & Testing
Loop
Construction
Loop Design
APM
Consultant
Long
Lead
Items
Phase 2
12 to 15 months
Satellite Tunnel Impacts
Nightly Busing Operation
Phase 1
1 to 2 months
Satellite Tunnel Impacts
Nightly Busing Operation
D
C
Commission Authorizations
APM Consultant July 2020
ATC Procurement 2021 Q2
Loop Construction 2021 Q4
Budget
Cost Breakdown This Request Total Project
Design
$8,775,000
$9,000,000
Construction
$0
$8,000,000
Equipment Procurement
$0
$59,000,000
Support Services
$0
$3,000,000
Total
$8,775,000
$79,000,000
Cost Range: $65M - $95M
STS Asset Management - Long Term
Renewal or Replacement to the Satellite Transit
System will be required in the next 10 to 15 years.
▪ Requires study to evaluate alternative and
implementation
▪ $600M - $800M for a new APM system
▪ Evaluate alternate technologies
– Autonomous vehicles
– High-speed moving walkways
▪ Alternate passenger movement to Satellites
– Busing
– Tunnel / bridge
