Notice
This project was recently adopted under the MERCO (Metroland Rail Studios) group as well as support from teritary development teams.
Players who have purchased the 100 Robux gamepass or any gamepass in NYO that was in the Airtrain game will receive the same perks in the MERCO copy.
NYO no longer owns the Airtrain JFK project.
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Vision
Create the first ever AirTrain on Roblox to include all terminals, branches, and connections with scenery, airport terminals, exits, and immersive environments. Game tests the limit on the realism factor, including retro systems with newer systems, and accurate 1:1 replicas of the Bombardier Innovia's, Gauge Rail Vehicles, Rail Systems, and compatability with AI trains that run across the game. Allow players to control trains, or experience trains independently with abilities to explore.
Group Project Supporters & Leads
Metroland Rail Studios - Holding Group
SKILLTECH - Development Lead
Project JFK Overview
Project Airtrain, or Project JFK is a project that was started by the SKILLTECH Team back in early 2025. The Bombardier Innovia JFK Division train was being built alongside teritary builders. The team wanted to reach more players and expand its development horizon to those who are intrested. We partnered with the MERCO team as well as other developers from suites who were intrested. The project that was discussed by another group and eventually cancelled was reintroduced to MERCO.
Developing the complete AirTrain JFK system on Roblox consists of a comprehensive transportation simulation project that combines authentic infrastructure design, coding, and gameplay mechanics. The strategy starts with thorough investigation into the actual AirTrain routes, stations, and functions. This involves outlining the three primary routes—the Jamaica Line, Howard Beach Line, and Central Terminal Loop—utilizing actual station configurations, distances, and architectural details from the Port Authority’s system. After establishing the route network, the subsequent phase emphasizes terrain modeling and the building of stations. Every terminal station should be constructed with care, reflecting the distinctive appearance of JFK Airport’s terminals, signage, and interior elements, while maximizing Roblox performance with modular and low-polygon designs.
The track system and guideway structures will need exact alignment to mimic the elevated monorail design. In Roblox Studio, you can use mesh parts or unions to create custom track components and supports for smooth curves and realistic elevation variations. The trains, designed after the Bombardier Innovia ART 200, must be entirely scripted to imitate automated functions. This entails creating a control system based on Lua for acceleration, braking, automatic stops at stations, and door functions. Developers may also incorporate a signaling and timing system to guarantee that several trains can operate safely on a timetable, akin to the actual AirTrain automation.
For increased immersion, the project must incorporate realistic station announcements, proper signage, and lighting effects. Voice announcements may be recorded or produced to correspond with the real AirTrain's audio system, while lighting and background sounds generate a realistic airport environment. Optimization is crucial for ensuring seamless gameplay, necessitating level-of-detail models, efficient scripting, and meticulous control of physics. Testing of multiplayer synchronization is essential to guarantee uniform experiences for every player.
Project JFK Functionality & Design
Features:
- First ever AirTrain JFK to include in-cab operations with a 1:1 replica of the console in the front and back of the train cars.
- First ever AirTrain JFK to have three modes of operations; Remote Operations*, Manual Operations**, and AI Operations.
- First ever AirTrain JFK to include all terminals, connections, and outside enviroments matching a Airport aesthetic.
- First ever AirTrain JFK to include LIRR operations at Jamaica Station, which teleports players to another area of the map randomly to a LIRR Station along the City Terminal Zone. Players can choose to either spawn at a City Terminal Zone station to connect to the Jamaica Station to board the AirTrain, or spawn at any of the AirTrain terminals.
- Full outside and inside of the terminals, including parking lots, exits, and emergency exits.
- Announcements with assistance from https://lazypy.ro/tts/.
- Fully fledged AI Train system that stops at each terminal, and adheres to any train manually being operated by a internal signalling system.
- Includes fully detailed Bombardier Innovia train.
- Includes moderation system overlooking normal operations of the AirTrain.
- Includes Anti-Cheat and Anti-Stuck systems to detect cheaters, and to detect any train that purposely stops to ruin the experience of other players. AI trains who become stuck will be reset.
- Fully immersive capabilities via lighting and GUI.
- Custom esque design intro setting and spawning system adopted.
You can experience the AirTrain experience in three different ways:
a. Remote Controlled - While the AirTrain is usually automatic, you can control the AirTrain remotely from the Airtrain Remote Facility . This allows you to have a camera at the desk controlling the AirTrain vehicle. There are only a maximum of 6 of these available.
b. Physical Control Panel - If you dont want to be limited, you can instead operate the AirTrain on the train. Lift up the control panel in the front of the train and hold down the (E) prompt to take control of the train. This is a gamepass feature.
c. AI Trains - Trains run via blocks, so AI trains will follow them with eachother and other players. If there are other trains on the loop, the AI trains will take grace time before departing from the respective block.
Info about operating the Airtrain:
The train must not be en-route to control it remotely. You must wait until the train has terminated at either Jamaica, or Howard Beach to sit down at the control desk or lift open the panel.
Do not abuse the controller. If you are stood at a block without disembarking for more then 2 minutes on a clear block ahead, your train will be deleted, and you will not be able to operate remotely or physically for a penalty time of 2 days. If you purposely hold up your train at a station, the same will occur. Trains cannot clip to eachother. Moderators can remove access to use the controller permanently if needed.
Physical vs Remote:
During Remote Operations, the train will still be acted as ATO. This means that the trains NSS will be fully functional and replicate if a train were to be operated unmanned. You cannot pick your loop route. (ex. if you took control of a train at Howard Beach and it is going to loop and terminate at Jamaica, you cannot switch the route back to Howard Beach. You must terminate at Jamaica.
During Physical Operations, you can access the PA system, and play more announcements. Operators who use this mode of operation also have the option to reroute their trains. This can only be done once. Once you input your change, you cannot change it back until you terminate at that station.
Remote Operations cant control Physical Operating trains, and vice versa. To know this, Remote Operations desk screens wont be alluminated if controlled Physically, and Physical Operations "Open Panel" prompt will not show up if controlled Remotely.
Gamepasses
To fund our project, were releasing two gamepasses alongside the JFK Airtrain:
Manual Operations Gamepass (100 Robux)
Gives the ability for the user to control the train inside of the train with set parameters.
- Extended Vehicles Gamepass (300 Robux)
Gives the user livery trains, and work trains.
FAQ
Were here to answer some common questions.
> Can I drive the AirTrain?
Yes! You can drive the AirTrain either manually (gamepass) or remotely. Please keep in mind the above information provided in this page when you operate.
> I bought the Manual Operations gamepass, but all the controls are confusing! What do I do?
Consult the guide given to you by clicking on the "Information" tab regarding controls to aid you in manual operations of the Bombardier Innovia train.
> The option to operate the AirTrain is not showing up! Why is this happening?
Keep in mind that if anyone is operating a train, you cannot operate it yourself. If you are at the Remote Facility, the monitors wont light up. If you are inside the train, the "E" indicator to open the front hatch panel wont show. If no one is operating it, make sure the train is at the terminus. You cannot control a train when the train is not at Jamaica, or Howard Beach. You cannot take control of the train at Federal Circle unless it is terminating at Federal Circle.
> Since AirTrain in game follows the AirTrain in real life, will there be shuttle buses or any alternative?
Yes! Automatic shuttle buses will be provided in the outage locations. During AirTrain outages on the route, no AI trains will be available. Players are given the opportunity to drive the trains in a full loop, or terminate at Federal Circle without AI interference.
> When will the JFK Airtrain release?
There is no set date yet, but we expect a release in early to mid 2026. Testers will be able to test the game at any time regardless of the finished state.
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