airport terminal frontage road with traffic
NEWS

HDR Creates Industry-First Customizable Multimodal Tool for Analyzing Airport Landside Traffic

HDR has developed an industry-first Airport Landside Multimodal Demand Analysis Tool to help airports identify and explore mobility improvements and management strategies. As airports plan their growth, a better traffic demand analysis enhances project planning, improves the experience for travelers and ultimately saves airports time and money.

Previous processes have provided segmented and isolated analysis of individual modes of transportation that must be manually aggregated. The new tool, built as an add-on to existing travel demand software, automatically integrates all modes of traffic and data into one platform. As a result, airports can:

  • Reduce Environmental Assessment documentation development time for Federal Aviation Administration approval
  • Streamline project development
  • Visually compare the traffic performance of mitigation scenarios
  • Easily coordinate with stakeholders using a consistent airport-wide traffic model
  • Quickly create analyses for roadway construction staging

Putting Existing Data to Work

The tool has already been applied at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City, resulting in streamlined data analysis and standardized development of alternatives. Work that previously would have required months was instead completed in weeks.

“Airports have been collecting increasing amounts of data on facility traffic and demand, but that data has not been converted efficiently into actionable intelligence,” said HDR Senior Traffic Engineer Tony Wang, who developed the new method as part of HDR's Fellowship Program. “This tool offers a solution that shows the patterns and opportunities hidden in airports’ traffic data.”

Graphic showing difference between manual traffic analysis and data incorporated in automated version

The integrated modeling tool mines data from existing sources, integrates airport development and landside travel demand, and allows airports to test future scenarios to optimize planning, design and operations. The information is processed using custom programming scripts developed by HDR, and the integrated model is built in PTV’s VISUM software — an industry standard travel demand and transit planning tool.

“Modeling the demands of all facilities and transportation modes at an airport in an automated tool is a great achievement by Tony and a big benefit for airports,” said HDR Aviation Director Bill Peduzzi. “With this process, we can quickly and accurately assess existing conditions. We can then determine the best future balance of roadways, dedicated lanes, parking and more across an airport, both during construction and in normal operations.” 

Contact bill.peduzzi [at] hdrinc.com (Peduzzi) for more information about the Airport Landside Multimodal Demand Analysis Tool and its applications for airport design and planning.

About HDR 
For over a century, HDRhas partnered with clients to shape communities and push the boundaries of what’s possible. Our expertise spans more than 11,000 employees in more than 200 locations around the world — and counting. Our engineering, architecture, environmental and construction services bring an impressive breadth of knowledge to every project. Our optimistic approach to finding innovative solutions defined our past and drives our future.