The automated people mover market is set to expand from USD 581.3 million in 2025 to USD 1,050.9 million by 2035, reflecting a CAGR of 6.1%. The surge in industry size is largely attributed to substantial investments in infrastructure development, particularly in international airports and emerging smart cities. Asia and the Middle East are key growth hubs due to the expansion of large-scale airport projects and urban mass transit systems.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) anticipates a doubling of global air passenger traffic by 2040, intensifying the need for high-efficiency mobility solutions within airport premises. In parallel, policy-driven initiatives in countries such as China, India, and the UAE are actively promoting automated transport solutions as part of broader urban development goals.
Industry leaders are prioritizing innovation to cater to the evolving demands of modern infrastructure. CRRC Corporation is expanding its R&D for modular APM solutions that allow seamless customization across urban and airport settings. Leading international airports-including those in Singapore, Tokyo, and Frankfurt-have already deployed APM systems to reduce transfer times and enhance passenger experience.
Technology is reshaping thesector with smart capabilities. The automated people mover (APM) market is witnessing significant technological advancements driven by the push for smart urban mobility and next-generation airport infrastructure. Innovations include fully automated, driverless systems that leverage artificial intelligence for predictive maintenance and real-time performance monitoring. Advanced communication-based train control (CBTC) systems are being adopted to optimize train frequency, reduce headways, and enhance safety.
Energy-efficient propulsion technologies, such as linear induction motors and regenerative braking systems, are improving sustainability and reducing operational costs. Furthermore, the integration of IoT-enabled sensors and centralized traffic management platforms is enabling seamless coordination across transit networks. These developments, coupled with the use of lightweight, modular vehicles and smart station designs, are enhancing capacity, passenger experience, and scalability of APM systems in both urban and airport environments.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Estimated Industry Size (2025) | USD 581.3 million |
| Projected Industry Size (2035) | USD 1,050.9 million |
| Value CAGR (2025 to 2035) | 6.1% |
The global automated people mover sector is segmented by system type into monorail, duo rail, and automated guide way transit or maglev; by application into airport, urban transit, amusement parks, shopping or commercial centers, and others (hospitals, large industrial campuses, theme resorts, university campuses, and exhibition or convention centers); by region into North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, South Asia, East Asia, and Middle East & Africa.
Duo rail systems are the clear value-creation engine in the automated people mover sector. Starting at an estimated USD 478 million in 2025 (82% of total industry value), this segment is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.4%, reaching USD 890 million by 2035.
This robust growth trajectory-approximately 30 basis points above the total sector-stems from its scalable capacity and compatibility with high-traffic applications such as international airports and inter-terminal transit networks. Over the next few years, duo rail alone will contribute over USD 412 million in incremental value, accounting for nearly 65% of total industry expansion.
Automated guide way transit (AGT) and maglev systems sit in the second growth tier. With a 2025 baseline of USD 53 million (9% share), this segment is forecast to reach USD 100 million by 2035, posting a CAGR of 6.7%. AGT/maglev technologies are gaining traction in advanced urban mobility projects, particularly in smart city corridors and high-tech commercial hubs. While smaller in base, the segment outpaces overall segment growth, contributing 12% of incremental value over the forecast horizon.
Monorail systems remain a moderate-growth segment. Starting at USD 50 million in 2025 (9% industry share), they are projected to reach USD 92 million by 2035, expanding at a 6.1% CAGR-slightly below the AGT segment. Monorails are preferred in constrained urban environments, but their adoption remains limited due to higher switching costs and constrained passenger throughput relative to duo rail.
| System Type Segment | CAGR 2025-2035 |
|---|---|
| Duo Rail | 6.4 % |
| Automated Guide Way Transit/Maglev | 6.7 % |
| Monorail | 6.1 % |
Airport applications anchor the automated people mover industry's value creation. Estimated at USD 390 million in 2025 (67% of total industry value), this segment is forecast to expand at a CAGR of 6.5%, reaching USD 730 million by 2035. The segment benefits from two structural demand levers: expanding international air traffic and the terminal-to-terminal mobility needs of mega airports.
Projects such as the Beijing Daxing International Airport and Dubai Al Maktoum Airport are illustrative of this trend. Over the forecast period, airport deployments will account for nearly USD 340 million in incremental value-approximately 63% of total segment expansion.
Urban transit emerges as a high-growth corridor. With a baseline value of USD 110 million in 2025 (~19% share), this segment is projected to reach USD 210 million by 2035, at a CAGR of 6.8%. Governments in South and East Asia are prioritizing compact, automated transport solutions in high-density corridors, particularly for first- and last-mile integration in metro and light rail networks. Urban transit is expected to contribute ~23% of the total incremental value over the forecast period.
Amusement parks and commercial centers represent stable, yet smaller-scale, applications. Amusement park installations are expected to grow from USD 38 million to USD 62 million by 2035 (5.1% CAGR), supported by emerging theme park developments in Southeast Asia and the Middle East. Commercial centers, including retail and convention spaces, will see value grow from USD 25 million to USD 40 million (5.0% CAGR), driven by visitor experience enhancements and operational efficiency.
Shopping or commercial centers in the APM sector include large malls, business districts, and mixed-use developments that require efficient intra-site transport. This segment is projected to grow from USD 25 million in 2025 to USD 40 million by 2035, at a CAGR of 5.0%. Growth is driven by the need to enhance visitor flow, accessibility, and convenience across expansive commercial zones. Key demand centers include the Middle East and Southeast Asia.
Others (e.g., exhibition halls, university campuses) remain niche, expanding at 4.3% CAGR and contributing marginal value.
| Application Segment | CAGR 2025-2035 |
|---|---|
| Airport | 6.5 % |
| Urban Transit | 6.8 % |
| Amusement Parks | 5.1 % |
| Shopping or Commercial Centers | 5 % |
| Others (hospitals, large industrial campuses, theme resorts, university campuses, and exhibition or convention centers) | 4.3 % |
The United States remains the most established and structured market for automated people movers (APMs), anchored by a mature airport network and a growing emphasis on integrated terminal mobility. In 2025, the U.S. APM sector is estimated at USD 200 million and is projected to reach USD 350 million by 2035, reflecting a CAGR of 5.8%. Three core enablers drive growth.
First, the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Terminal Development Program allocates over USD 1 billion annually toward modernization of terminal infrastructure, creating a strong pipeline for APM deployments in high-volume hubs like LAX, ATL, and DFW. Second, urban congestion in cities such as Miami, Dallas, and Las Vegas is prompting metro authorities to pilot short-distance APMs for first- and last-mile connectivity, particularly in mixed-use districts and dense downtown corridors. Third, the regulatory framework, though moderately complex due to Buy America clauses, is increasingly favorable under recent federal infrastructure initiatives, including the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which support automated transit electrification. Public-private partnerships and amortized cost recovery models improve financial viability. Key risks include local opposition to land-use changes and delays in federal disbursement, though neither is expected to derail long-term value creation in the segment.
| Country | CAGR 2025-2035 |
|---|---|
| United States | 5.8% |
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) represents a high-growth, infrastructure-forward APM sector with concentrated deployment potential across aviation and urban development hubs. Valued at USD 50 million in 2025, the UAE’s automated people mover segment is forecast to reach USD 90 million by 2035, expanding at a CAGR of 6.2%. Dubai and Abu Dhabi dominate demand, driven by mega-airport projects and integrated transport visions under national initiatives like UAE Vision 2031 and Smart Dubai. Dubai International Airport (DXB), one of the busiest globally, has already adopted APMs for intra-terminal connectivity. Further expansion at Al Maktoum International (DWC) includes new transit corridors that will rely on APM integration. Regulatory frameworks are streamlined under centralized governance, enabling rapid procurement and the structuring of public-private partnerships.
Furthermore, commercial real estate developers in Dubai’s free zones and theme parks are increasingly embedding APMs into their master plans to manage high foot traffic and improve spatial accessibility. Favorable land availability, climate-controlled transit needs, and zero-emission mandates further enhance feasibility. However, dependency on tourism and global travel trends remains a key demand-side risk, along with exposure to cyclical real estate overdevelopment. Even so, the UAE’s infrastructure agility ensures strong baseline expansion in the APM space through 2035.
| Country | CAGR 2025-2035 |
|---|---|
| United Arab Emirates | 6.2% |
Japan offers a stable and technically sophisticated APM market, beginning at USD 70 million in 2025 and projected to reach USD 120 million by 2035, growing at a CAGR of 5.5%. Japan has a legacy of operational excellence in automated transit, exemplified by Tokyo's Yurikamome Line and similar systems in Osaka.
These deployments have proven resilient and scalable in high-density urban contexts. Automated people movers in Japan benefit from public acceptance of automation, extensive urban master-planning, and the need to improve mobility access for an aging population. Government backing comes through the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT), which prioritizes transit automation in its smart city funding framework. While Tier-1 cities are infrastructure-saturated, future growth is expected in regional urban centers like Fukuoka and Sapporo, where mixed-use developments and compact transit corridors are gaining traction. Japanese OEMs such as Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Hitachi Rail maintain a strong domestic advantage in delivering reliable, high-efficiency APM systems. However, high construction costs and complex zoning rules pose execution risks, and a slow demographic growth trajectory may limit broader expansion. Nevertheless, the sector is well-positioned for stable, innovation-led returns over the forecast period.
| Country | CAGR 2025-2035 |
|---|---|
| Japan | 5.5% |
Germany represents a mid-sized but strategically important APM sector, valued at USD 60 million in 2025 and forecast to reach USD 105 million by 2035, growing at a CAGR of 5.7%. Known for its engineering precision and transport planning, Germany integrates APMs primarily in airport environments such as Frankfurt and Dusseldorf, while also considering urban deployments in smart city districts. National policies, including the Climate Action Programme and the Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans (SUMPs), support low-emission transport innovation, indirectly boosting the APM sector. Germany's land-use regulations and multi-tiered municipal approval systems slow project delivery but ensure high-quality, durable outcomes.
Siemens Mobility and other domestic OEMs offer integrated APM platforms compatible with European emission and safety standards. Further growth may arise from business parks, logistics hubs, and urban innovation districts in cities like Munich and Hamburg. Capital intensity remains a barrier, yet Germany’s decarbonization agenda and EU-aligned transit modernization plans provide policy tailwinds. Public buy-in for automation is rising, especially among younger demographics and sustainability-focused urban developers. Overall, Germany strikes a balance between measured expansion and high execution quality, creating a low-risk, steady-return APM environment.
| Country | CAGR 2025-2035 |
|---|---|
| Germany | 5.7% |
South Korea's automated people mover sector is expected to grow from USD 55 million in 2025 to USD 98 million by 2035, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6%, driven by the adoption of technology and smart city initiatives. As a global leader in digital infrastructure, South Korea leverages APMs within airports, high-density commercial complexes, and planned smart cities such as Songdo. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) provides strong regulatory support for integrated transport innovation under the Korean New Deal.
Existing deployments at Incheon International Airport, along with future projects tied to urban redevelopment in Seoul and Busan, contribute to demand. South Korean OEMs like Hyundai Rotem are capable of producing advanced APM systems with local expertise and competitive pricing. Land scarcity and urban zoning complexity pose challenges to large-scale expansion, but compact, modular APM systems are gaining favor in mid-sized real estate and business park developments. Public acceptance of automation is high, especially among tech-savvy demographics, making South Korea an attractive sector for private-sector-led infrastructure investment. Long-term growth is sustained by stable governance, export-ready manufacturing, and rising domestic interest in decarbonized transport solutions.
| Country | CAGR 2025-2035 |
|---|---|
| South Korea | 6 % |
India is emerging as a high-potential market for automated people movers, with a projected value of USD 82 million by 2035, up from USD 45 million in 2025, representing a 6.3% CAGR. The growth outlook is anchored by rapid urbanization, expanding airport networks, and government-led infrastructure initiatives. Projects under the Smart Cities Mission and the National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP) aim to enhance intra-city and intermodal connectivity, creating early use cases for Automated Public Mobility (APM) systems in metros such as Delhi, Mumbai, and Hyderabad. Airport expansion plans, particularly under public-private partnerships, are increasingly including automated transit systems in terminal planning.
While India's procurement and zoning frameworks vary widely across states, the central government's Gati Shakti program aims to streamline multi-modal logistics and provide faster project clearances. Indian firms have started feasibility studies in large business parks, SEZs, and tech hubs where internal mobility presents operational challenges. However, capex sensitivity, land acquisition delays, and fragmented regulations could temper the speed of APM penetration. Nevertheless, the scale of urban development and rising middle-class mobility demand make India a strategic long-term play for OEMs and infrastructure investors focused on first-mover advantage.
| Country | CAGR 2025-2035 |
|---|---|
| India | 6.3% |
Singapore’s automated people mover (APM) market, valued at USD 30 million in 2025, is projected to grow to USD 55 million by 2035, registering a CAGR of 5.9%. Despite its compact size, Singapore represents one of the most technologically advanced and efficiently executed sectors for APM deployment. Changi Airport’s Skytrain system continues to set the global benchmark for reliability, throughput, and integration with wider multimodal transport infrastructure.
The city-state’s broader Smart Nation strategy and the Land Transport Authority’s (LTA) master plans prioritize the adoption of automation within both public and private infrastructure projects. Emerging zones such as the Jurong Lake District and Punggol Digital District are being master-planned with embedded APM corridors to facilitate seamless, sustainable movement across high-density clusters. Although geographic constraints preclude large-scale transit corridors, the city compensates with modular, high-frequency, and compact APM systems tailored for tech campuses, healthcare precincts, and academic institutions. The government offers clear regulatory pathways, pilot funding, and public-private co-investment mechanisms, making Singapore a preferred testbed for OEMs and system integrators. High public acceptance, strong institutional capacity, and long-term planning discipline ensure consistent delivery. While growth may be moderate in size, Singapore’s global influence as a reference city for urban APM models remains significant.
| Country | CAGR 2025-2035 |
|---|---|
| Singapore | 5.9% |
The United Kingdom's automated people mover (APM) market is projected to grow from USD 40 million in 2025 to USD 70 million by 2035, registering a CAGR of 5.6%. Growth is anchored by ongoing terminal modernization and intermodal connectivity upgrades at major international airports such as London Heathrow and Gatwick. The UK Department for Transport’s “Future of Transport” regulatory roadmap has laid a policy foundation for the integration of automated mobility solutions in both public infrastructure and commercial developments. Localized transport authorities have been granted autonomy to approve and deploy smart transit systems, accelerating project timelines in select regions.
Business parks, NHS hospital campuses, university precincts, and innovation corridors across Greater London, Cambridge, and Manchester are emerging as prime candidates for compact APM integration. Post-Brexit, procurement and planning remain somewhat fragmented, but funding pipelines such as the UK Infrastructure Bank and decarbonization-linked grants are reducing financing risk. Moreover, the government’s net-zero transport goals are pushing for emission-free, space-efficient automated mobility. Public acceptance is growing in line with wider electric vehicle adoption, and a skilled domestic engineering base-combined with collaboration from EU vendors-positions the UK to execute reliably. While not high-growth, the UK remains a strategically steady sector for intelligent APM rollouts.
| Country | CAGR 2025-2035 |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 5.6% |
Saudi Arabia’s automated people mover (APM) market is projected to grow from USD 35 million in 2025 to USD 65 million by 2035, recording a CAGR of 6.4%. The expansion is closely aligned with the kingdom’s Vision 2030 blueprint, which mandates large-scale infrastructure investments across tourism, aviation, and urban development. Flagship mega-projects such as NEOM, King Salman International Airport, the Red Sea Project, and Qiddiya are being master-planned with embedded automated mobility networks to enhance internal accessibility, sustainability, and digital integration. These projects serve as high-value anchor clients for APM suppliers, with corridor-based deployments expected across mixed-use zones, airport terminals, and hospitality districts. The regulatory ecosystem is highly centralized and execution-friendly-feasibility approvals and land-use clearances are rapidly processed under the direction of the Public Investment Fund (PIF) and the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA).
International EPC consortia and OEMs are collaborating on turnkey models, supported by stable government funding and policy continuity. While the sector is currently dependent on a limited number of mega-projects, the scale and ambition of these developments ensure a consistent volume pipeline. Challenges include long-term ridership uncertainty and overbuild risks, but overall, Saudi Arabia presents a high-growth, government-backed frontier for APM deployment.
| Country | CAGR 2025-2035 |
|---|---|
| Saudi Arabia | 6.4% |
China’s automated people mover (APM) market is forecast to grow from USD 150 million in 2025 to USD 280 million by 2035, registering a robust CAGR of 6.5%. As one of the most infrastructure-intensive nations globally, China’s demand for APM systems is driven by a convergence of urban expansion, government planning, and domestic manufacturing strength. The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) has accelerated approval for smart transit PPPs across Tier-1 and Tier-2 cities, with intra-city APM corridors now standard in new district blueprints. Major airports in Chengdu, Tianjin, and Shenzhen are integrating APMs into terminal designs, in line with China’s 14th Five-Year Plan which promotes seamless multimodal connectivity. Additionally, the "Made in China 2025" strategy incentivizes local APM manufacturing through state-owned giants like CRRC, reducing cost barriers and enabling rapid deployment.
High-density urban cores and industrial zones are seeing increasing use of compact APMs to manage internal mobility while reducing traffic bottlenecks. A fast-track permitting regime and abundant infrastructure capital also support scale. Key risks include overcapacity in slower-growth cities and potential redundancy if urban rail systems overlap. However, strong political will, long-term planning, and technological localization ensure that China remains a global growth engine in the APM sector.
| Country | CAGR 2025-2035 |
|---|---|
| China | 6.5% |
The global automated people mover (APM) sector is moderately fragmented, with a mix of global OEMs and region-specific players competing across differentiated technology platforms. However, consolidation is emerging in high-value airport and smart city projects through long-term infrastructure partnerships.
Top companies are competing on innovation, system scalability, and integrated automation features rather than price alone. Firms such as Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Hitachi Rail, CRRC Corporation, Siemens Mobility, and Bombardier Transportation are focusing on AI-enabled control systems, energy-efficient propulsion, and turnkey project delivery.
Strategic priorities include forming public-private joint ventures, winning government contracts in high-growth sectors like China, UAE, and India, and offering end-to-end transport solutions through EPC + O&M bundling. Several players are also entering strategic alliances with civil construction firms and local governments to localize manufacturing and streamline procurement timelines. Expansion into mid-tier urban developments, airports, and campus mobility projects is a key growth lever, with modular and retrofittable systems gaining favor for speed and cost efficiency.
The global automated people mover (APM) sector is moderately fragmented, with leading players holding differentiated strengths across geographies and technologies. Thyssenkrupp AG leads the sector with a 15-20% share, driven by its advanced system design and extensive airport deployments across Europe and North America. Hitachi Rail (12-16%) continues to expand its footprint in Asia and the Middle East, offering fully automated, driverless systems tailored for high-traffic terminals.
CRRC Corporation (10-14%) is aggressively expanding across Asia-Pacific and Africa, leveraging its cost-effective, locally manufactured APM units aligned with China’s Belt and Road initiatives. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (8-12%) and Siemens Mobility (7-10%) maintain strong positions through integration of IoT-enabled predictive maintenance and modular system designs, particularly in urban and smart city applications.
Bombardier Transportation (6-9%), now part of Alstom, retains solid industry presence with installations in North America and Southeast Asia, emphasizing energy-efficient propulsion and low-noise design. Hyundai Rotem (5-8%) targets South Korea and emerging Asian sector with compact APM solutions designed for urban infill developments.
Intamin Transportation (3-6%) and POMA Group (2-4%) serve niche segments such as theme parks and campus transit systems. Kinki Sharyo (2-3%) focuses on the Japanese sector and select international projects, offering customized configurations. Overall, the competitive landscape is defined by a mix of global giants, regional specialists, and niche innovators, with partnerships, localization, and system customization being key strategic differentiators.
| Company Name | Estimated Market Share (2024) |
|---|---|
| Thyssenkrupp AG | 15-20% |
| Hitachi Rail | 12-16% |
| CRRC Corporation | 10-14% |
| Mitsubishi Heavy Industries | 8-12% |
| Siemens Mobility | 7-10% |
| Report Attributes | Details |
|---|---|
| Current Total Industry Size (2025) | USD 581.3 million |
| Projected Industry Size (2035) | USD 1,050.9 million |
| Overall Industry CAGR (2025 to 2035) | 6.1 % |
| Base Year for Estimation | 2024 |
| Historical Period | 2020 to 2024 |
| Projections Period | 2025 to 2035 |
| Analysis Parameters | Revenue in USD million/Volume in Units |
| By System Typ e | Monorail, Duo Rail, Automated Guide Way Transit or Maglev |
| By Application | Airports, Urban Transit, Amusement Parks, Shopping or Commercial Centers , Others (hospitals, large industrial campuses, theme resorts, university campuses, and exhibition or convention centers) |
| Regions Covered | North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Middle East & Africa |
| Countries Covered | United States, Japan, Germany, India, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Brazil, Canada, South Korea, Australia, Spain, Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland |
| Key Players | Thyssenkrupp AG, Intamin Transportation, Hitachi Rail, CRRC Corporation, POMA Group, Leonardo S.p.A., Hyundai Rotem , Egis Group, Parsons Corporation, Kinki Sharyo. |
| Additional Attributes | Dollar sales by value, industry share analysis by region, country-wise analysis |
In terms of System Type: the industry is divided into Monorail, Duo Rail, Automated Guide Way Transit or Maglev.
In terms of Application, the industry is divided into Airport, Urban Transit, Amusements Parks, Shopping or Commercial Centers, Others
The report covers key regions, including North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, East Asia, South Asia, and the Middle East and Africa (MEA).
The industry is expected to grow from USD 581.3 million in 2025 to USD 1,050.9 million by 2035, at a CAGR of 6.1%.
Duo rail systems dominate the sector with an 82% share in 2025 and are projected to grow at a 6.4% CAGR.
Urban transit is the fastest-growing segment, expanding at a CAGR of 6.8%, supported by smart city infrastructure projects in Asia and the Middle East.
Leading companies include ThyssenKrupp AG, Hitachi Rail, and CRRC Corporation, all focusing on system innovation, turnkey execution, and smart mobility integration.
North America generates the highest revenue due to advanced airport infrastructure, while Asia Pacific and the Middle East show the fastest growth through 2035.
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Automated People Mover Market
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