Evaluating Improvements in Landside Access for Airports

Access to airports has become increasingly difficult, but the extent of the problem is not known. No method exists to consistently define the performance of landside access that is provided to air passengers. A national survey of U.S. airport authorities was conducted to determine the characteristics of airport access services provided. The results of the survey indicate that landside access to airports is a major concern at airports of all sizes, but there is no significant difference in reported access problems at large, medium, and small airports. An access evaluation methodology was developed to assess landside access service between approaches to the airport and the terminal entrance and is based on performance measures relating to cost, time, reliability, convenience, and quality. It is intended to aid in the assessment of landside access performance and to promote more effective use of limited resources by determining the most needed and beneficial access improvements. This evaluation methodology was demonstrated by investigating landside access facilities at the Richmond International Airport. The methodology is flexible and may accommodate airports with a wide range of assessment needs and resources. Furthermore, the evaluation process corresponds to existing airport planning, requires no special training to complete, and may be undertaken in cooperation with master plan efforts. It is recommended that the evaluation methodology be incorporated into access fund appropriation processes as a consistent means of evaluating performance, identifying access needs, and evaluating potential access improvements.