History
On May 9-10, 2009, a group of monorail professionals met in Dubai to exchange ideas and discuss how Monorail Technology could be promoted worldwide. This meeting formed the official institution of the International Monorail Association (IMA) on November 24-26, 2009, in Wuppertal, Germany. Originally incorporated May 19, 2010 in the Netherlands the International Monorail Association is now a non-profit organization headquartered in Münsingen, Switzerland and has a further location in Las Vegas, Nevada US.
Goals
The purpose of the International Monorail Association is to promote the use of monorail technology worldwide, publish information about monorail technology, and establish performance standards for monorails for public transportation infrastructure.
The association also aims to provide a platform for interaction between national, regional, and local authorities, the monorail OEM industry, operating and maintenance companies, monorail consulting engineering firms, monorail system manufacturers, and certification and testing institutes to support the responsible and efficient use of monorails for public transportation.
Achievements
With volunteering resources, the following successes have been achieved during the last years:
- 17 ‘Monorailex’ world conferences: Singapore (2025), Neumarkt/Germany (2024), São Paulo/Brazil (2023), Rust/Germany (2022), Milan (2021), Virtual (2020) Chiba (2019), Berlin (2018), Beijing (2017), Cologne (2016), Las Vegas (2015), Wuppertal (2014), Daegu (2013), Dresden (2012), Las Vegas (2011), Kuala Lumpur (2010), Wuppertal (2009), Dubai (2009)
- Release of the ‘Technical Framework for Straddle Beam Type Monorail Tire-Guideway Interaction‘ (2025)
- Release of the ‘IMA Planning Guide for Monorail Systems‘ (2024)
- Release of the first edition of the ‘Performance Specification for a Turnkey Mass Transit Monorail System” (2022)
- Release of the ‘World Market Study on Monorail Systems’ prepared by SCI Verkehr on behalf of and with professional assistance of IMA (2022)
- Comments to ASCE 21 – Automated People Mover Standards Committee on document ASCE 21-13, ASCE 21-21
Structure & Member Involvement
Annual General Meetings
- Decision-making on major issues
- Approve annual activity and financial reports
- Elect Executive Council
Monthly Executive Council Meetings
- Discusses and sets strategy
- Appoints management and staff
Regular Working Group Meetings
- Carry out projects or activities requiring specific (technical) expertise, e.g. Monorail Planning, Passenger Safety, Tire Guideway Surface Interface, Finger Plates/Expansion Joints
- Develop (technical) guidelines for use in the industry
- Comment on other industry standards such as ASCE 21-13, ASCE 21-21
- Open expert committee (incl. non-members)