Denver International Airport ATS Part 2
Channel: NYCentral Trainspotter
Date: 08/09/2010

The DIA ATS opened along with the airport itself in 1995, and was conceived as a means to connect all of the midfield concourses with the south terminal and quickly transport passengers between them because of the longer distances between each building, especially when compared to Stapleton International Airport, Denver's former airport.

In addition to visual LED displays, the AGTS also features an audio system to deliver station information and warn passengers of the trains movements. The audio system utilizes pre-recorded voice messages which are each preceded by a variety of short musical sound effects. The system's audio was recorded by Denver sound artist Jim Green, and it is considered one of the airport's art installations.[4] Jim Green is also known for recording the audio for the singing sinks in the restrooms at the Denver Art Museum and the "Laughing Escalators" at the Denver Convention Center.

Currently, the messages feature the voices of former Coors Field announcer Alan Roach, and local KUSA-TV anchor Adele Arakawa. Arakawa and Roach were selected so that the audio would feature well-known voice talent from the area. Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper is also included in the audio, who delivers a "Welcome to Denver" greeting that plays prior to arriving at the Terminal and Baggage Claim station. The current sound effects feature a contemporary music theme, and include sounds from pianos, synthesizers, acoustic guitars, and electric guitars. The current audio debuted on June 1, 2007.[5]

Since the audio utilizes two separate voices, the station audio systems are configured so that Adele Arakawa's voice announces information for trains on the northbound platforms (for trains headed towards Concourse C), while Alan Roach's voice announces information for the southbound platforms (for trains headed towards the Terminal). The trains themselves are configured so that the voice alternates between each of the train's four cars, so that one voice is installed on the first and third cars, while the other voice is installed on the second and fourth cars. Mayor Hickenlooper's voice announces the "Welcome to Denver" greeting regardless of which voice is installed on the individual car.

Originally, the audio featured the voices of local radio broadcaster Pete Smythe and former KCNC-TV anchor Reynelda Muse, who was the first African-American woman to anchor a local news program in Denver. Smythe and Muse's voices were also set up in the same configuration as the current voices. The original sound effects featured a more whimsical circus-like theme, and included sounds from xylophones, organs, accordions, and clarinets. The original audio had been used on the system since the airport's opening in 1995 and remained unchanged for 12 years, primarily due to the status of being an art installation. The original audio was ultimately replaced due to various changes made at the airport since its opening. The most noticeable change made to the messages themselves was the reference to the concourse stations. The original audio announced "This train is approaching Concourse A," where it now says "We are approaching the station for all 'A' Gates." Station signage was also changed to reflect this. This change was made since some people found the term "concourse" confusing. Some information regarding Baggage Claim monitors in the Terminal station was also deleted from the messages since the monitors themselves were removed from the station years prior. Mayor Hickenlooper's greeting was also added as part of the current audio.

This video takes us from Concourse B to the Main Terminal.