Airport Passenger Terminal Planning and Design Circulation
Circulation
The spreadsheet model was developed to estimate the circulation
dimensions using the Narrowbody Equivalent Gate (NBEG) approach. This
model will function in the same manner as the other spreadsheet models with
links to the Table of Contents and the User’s Guide, and the use of color-coded
cells for consistency as seen in Figure 1.
Figure 1
The NBEG approach that is used in the model bases the necessary frontage
of a concourse on the equivalent overall wingspan of the design aircraft that
could optimize the use of all the available gates on that single concourse. The
user is requested to select the input options that best describe the existing or
desired concourse conditions to estimate the suggested corridor width that,
when multiplied by the concourse length and utilization factor, will determine
the circulation area.
There are a number of different circulation areas that can be addressed.
The single concourse estimate is used in the model to show the basic
approach, and this approach can then be adapted to other areas of circulation
which are more dependent on local design and use. Federal Inspection
Services (FIS) sterile corridors should be sized for single directional flow.
The model has three basic functions: determine the suggested circulation
corridor width, determine the NBEG of the concourse to estimate frontage and
overall length, and then calculate and compare the circulation area. Figure 2
is a screen print of the model where the comparison of width and area showed
that the existing conditions are “Less than Suggested” based on the inputs to
the model.
On line 8 of the model as seen in Figure 2, the user is asked to input a
percentage factor for concourses that support an airline hub. The comment
for this input suggests a small 5% to 10% range that will add to the
suggested corridor width. In most cases this factor can be left at 0%. But, in
cases at the largest and busiest airports, the sheer volume of passengers
that may enplane or deplane during the peak periods, or the major cross-
flows that may occur during the peak transfer times at large hubs, may
require more than the normally suggested corridor width.
Figure 2
Airport Passenger Terminal Planning and Design Circulation
Figure 3
The model asks the user to select inputs that describe the concourse in
question. On line 10 the input is whether or not moving walkways are used.
If the user selects Yes from the drop down list, the next input on line 11 must
be either Narrow Width or Wide Width. If the dash is selected, a Choice Error
message will appear to prompt a correction. Conversely, if No is selected
from the list on line 10 and then Narrow Width or Wide Width is selected on
line 11, the Choice Error message will also appear until the dash is selected,
as seen in Figure 4.
Airport Passenger Terminal Planning and Design Circulation
Figure 4
The model prompts the user to do a gate exercise to determine the
equivalent concourse NBEG. The user only needs to jump down to line 33
and input the number of gates that exist on the concourse of the specific
design aircraft classes. The equivalent NBEG will be calculated in cell E42
which is linked back to cell C14 as seen in Figures 5 and 6.
Figure 5
Figure 6
The last inputs that the user needs to make in the model are on lines 15 and
16. A usage percentage is requested to describe the allocation of the end
space on the concourse. If the concourse circulation runs to the end of the
concourse, with no space used for holdrooms or amenities, then this
percentage should be 100%. Depending on how the end space is used and
how much area is taken away from circulation for holdrooms, the usage
percentage may be as low as 80%. An assessment of the concourse gate
allocation and loading structure will help determine what percentage to use.
Typically 85% is a good starting point for linear pier concourse design.
The default widths used for double moving walkways are 12 feet and 15 feet
in the standard or wide format, which allows for an additional 1-foot buffer
between the two walkways.