(Air)ports
(Air)ports are transforming into (imaginary) cities where everything keeps moving. Passenger flows have become the focus in the design of new terminals and ground transportation facilities.
Planners and architects are faced with accommodating rising passenger numbers, often in combination with restrictions in space (existing infrastructures) and land use (pollution and noise regulations). Whether a large hub primary airport or non-hub primary or reliever airport, space to accommodate new developments is often at a considerable distance introducing the need for efficient transit to (the main body of) the (commercial service) airport.
In addition to efficiently accommodating passenger flows, new airside developments (such as new terminals) also have to focus on increasing safety and security and reducing aircraft taxi and passenger handling time. Landside developments (such as parking facilities, car rental centers, hotels and airport-oriented-business and industrial parks) can also be located outside the airport perimeter. Independent of the location an efficient link with the airport is required to facilitate transportation and the (economic) activities.
Accessibility is becoming a competitive factor to persuade air travelers to select a certain airport. Airports and (local) governments will both need to improve accommodation of cars and implement (competitive) high occupancy alternatives such as people movers (that decrease the reliance on cars and provide travelers with a genuine alternative). Hence, when rail- and metro stations can not be integrated into the airport, efficient transit to adjacently located transportation hubs will need to be created. Accessibility is vital to support the continuing growth in demand for air travel.
Additional considerations to implement a landside Automated People Mover system could be the facility and terminal spacing, the roadway capacity, airport land use, its’ competitive position and political considerations.
Airport planners no longer question the necessity and proven benefits of people movers, but have a pressing need for affordable alternatives to the generally heavy, more traditional (rail-guided) systems being offered today. The reduced infrastructure requirements of electronically guided people movers, ensures they are an attractive alternative.
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