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132 - Airport Landside Data Collection and Application
132 - Airport Landside Data Collection and Application
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70 pages | 8.5 x 11 | PAPERBACK
ISBN 978-0-309-70924-8 | DOI 10.17226/27403
CONTRIBUTORS
Gavin Duncan, Ernest Choi; Airport Cooperative Research Program; Transportation
Research Board; National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
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Airport Landside Data: Collection and Application
Gavin Duncan
Ernest Choi
InterVISTAS Consulting USA LLC
San Mateo, CA
Subscriber Categories
Aviation • Data and Information Technology • Terminals and Facilities
2023
Airports are vital national resources. They serve a key role in transpor- Project 11-03, Topic S10-19
tation of people and goods and in regional, national, and international ISSN 1935-9187
commerce. They are where the nation’s aviation system connects with ISBN 978-0-309-70924-8
other modes of transportation and where federal responsibility for man- Library of Congress Control Number 2023949190
aging and regulating air traffic operations intersects with the role of state
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FOREWORD
By Jordan Christensen
Staff Officer
Transportation Research Board
Airports collect data to help understand the customer journey from the entrance or access points
of the airport to the boarding gates. Processes may change in order to improve the customer experi-
ence when the collected data are analyzed. The objective of this synthesis is to document landside
data, collection methods, analysis, and interpretation and discuss how that information affects air-
port decision-making. For this synthesis, “landside” was determined to be from the airport entrance
or access points to the boarding gates. This report will be useful to airport staff responsible for
making decisions about planning, design, customer experience, and day-to-day operations. Infor-
mation used in this study was obtained through a literature review and airport survey. Interviews
of nine airports shaped the case examples found in Chapter 6.
Gavin Duncan and Ernest Choi, InterVISTAS, San Mateo, CA, synthesized the information and
wrote the report. The members of the topic panel are acknowledged on page iv. This synthesis is an
immediately useful document that records the practices that were acceptable within the limitations
of the knowledge available at the time of its preparation. As progress in research and practice con-
tinues, new knowledge will be added to that now at hand.
AUTHOR ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
To the staff of each participating airport, the authors are grateful for the data and insights they shared
during the online survey and follow-up telephone interviews:
Large-Hub Airports
Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)
Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)*
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)*
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
Denver International Airport (DEN)*
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL)*
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)*
Portland International Airport (PDX)
San Diego International Airport (SAN)*
San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
Tampa International Airport (TPA)
Medium-Hub Airports
Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG)
Indianapolis International Airport (IND)*
John Wayne Airport (Orange County, California) (SNA)*
Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO)
San Antonio International Airport (SAT)
Small-Hub Airports
Colorado Springs Airport (COS)
Eugene Airport (EUG)
Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV)
Non-Hub Airports
Jackson Hole Airport (JAC)*
CONTENTS
1 Summary
3 Chapter 1 Introduction
3 1.1 Study Purpose and Overview
3 1.2 Topics Not Addressed in This Report
4 1.3 Why Data Are Important to Airports
5 Chapter 2 How This Study Was Conducted
5 2.1 Summary of Literature Review
6 2.2 Survey of Airports
6 2.3 Case Examples
8 Chapter 3 Summary of Survey of Airports
8 3.1 Data Collection for Ground Access (Passengers Only)
11 3.2 Data Collection in the Terminal Before Security
13 3.3 Data Collection in the Terminal Post Security
14 3.4 Data Collection for Employees
16 Chapter 4 Terminal and Landside Data Collection at Airports
16 4.1 Types of Data Collected at Airports
16 4.2 How Data Are Collected, and the Systems/Technologies Used
19 4.3 Costs of Data Collection
20 4.4 Legal Issues Encountered from Data Collection or Storage
22 Chapter 5 Data Analysis and Decision-Making
22 5.1 Why Data Are Collected
23 5.2 How Data Are Analyzed and Interpreted
24 5.3 How Data Are Used to Make Decisions
28 Chapter 6 Summary of Case Examples from Airports
28 6.1 Data Collection Methods and Technologies
29 6.2 Data Analysis
29 6.3 Legal Issues with Data Collection and Storage
29 6.4 Data-Driven Problem Solving
32 Chapter 7 Summary of Findings and Suggestions
for Future Research
32 7.1 Summary of Findings
33 7.2 Suggestions for Future Research
34 Glossary
35 Acronyms
36 References and Bibliography
Note: Photographs, figures, and tables in this report may have been converted from color to grayscale for printing.
The electronic version of the report (posted on the web at nap.nationalacademies.org) retains the color versions.
SUMMARY
This synthesis was prepared to provide airport operators and others with an understand-
ing of how data collection and analysis assist airport staff in making decisions. Most airport
operators have established programs to gather data throughout the entire campus. Airports
are complex transportation hubs that are critical in the global transportation system. The
efficient operation of an airport requires the effective management of landside facilities,
which, for this report, includes on-airport roadways and curbsides serving passengers and
the public areas of the passenger terminal building between the building entrances and
where passengers scan boarding passes during boarding.
The information presented in this synthesis was gathered by (1) conducting a literature
search, (2) surveying the top 100 airports (by enplaned passengers) in the United States, and
(3) conducting nine case example interviews with the airports serving Chicago (Midway
and O’Hare), Denver, Fort Lauderdale, Indianapolis, Jackson (Wyoming), Orange County
(California), Phoenix, and San Diego.
The information about data collection at airports assembled as part of this synthesis is
presented using the following categories:
1. Types of data collected
2. How data are collected
a. Vendor reporting
b. Direct observation
c. Automated monitoring
d. Focus groups
e. Intercept surveys
3. Costs of data collection, acquisition, analysis, maintenance, and other associated costs
4. Why data are collected
5. How data are analyzed and interpreted
6. How data are used to make decisions
Airport staff indicated that data collection and analysis are crucial to making informed deci-
sions and ensuring the successful operation of ground transportation facilities. Data analysis
provides insight into passenger demand patterns, enables optimized resource allocation,
improves the overall passenger experience, enhances landside operational efficiency, helps
explain ground transportation demand, and informs the design and layout of terminals.
Effective decision-making in these areas is vital in enhancing the passenger experience and
facilitating smooth operations.
Potential areas for further research include developing an understanding of the costs
of data collection, especially permanent collection systems such as camera-based systems
for passenger and vehicle counts. While the cost information may become obsolete due to
rapid changes in technology and cost, airport staff could benefit from understanding the
implications that data collection tools could have on staffing, training, data security, and
other aspects. This information would help airport staff make informed decisions on the
cost-effectiveness and value of potential data collection options.
CHAPTER 1
Introduction
provide for planning rental car facilities, such as ready and return areas or consolidated rental car
facilities (CONRAC). These topics are addressed by other ACRP publications, including ACRP
Report 24: Guidebook for Evaluating Airport Parking Strategies and Supporting Technologies (Jacobs
Consultancy et al. 2009) and ACRP Research Report 225: Rethinking Airport Parking Facilities to
Protect and Enhance Non-Aeronautical Revenues (InterVISTAS Consulting Inc. et al. 2021).
Additionally, this report does not address the increasing number of laws devoted to data pri-
vacy and the full legal implications of data collection at airports. However, this report does provide
a summary of legal issues. These topics are addressed in ACRP Legal Research Digests (LRDs),
such as ACRP LRD 42: Legal Implications of Data Collection at Airports (Zoufal et al. 2021).
CHAPTER 2
The information presented in this synthesis was gathered by (1) conducting a literature search,
including from international sources, from online search engines, personal files, and the Trans-
portation Research Information Services (TRIS) database; (2) surveying the top 100 airports in
the United States by enplaned passengers; and (3) interviewing the staff at nine case example
airports located in the United States. The following paragraphs summarize the literature review
and surveys and describe the characteristics of the airports whose staff were interviewed.
4. Published articles or blog posts related to the general use of data to support airport opera-
tions and commercial initiatives. Topics addressed range from privacy [e.g., “Data Privacy
vs. Personalisation for Airports” (Rezcomm 2022)] to survey methods [e.g., “Why Survey
Data is Fundamental to Developing Data-driven Strategies” (Pitters 2021)] to how data can
benefit operations [e.g., “Digital technologies in airport ground operations” (Kovynyhov
and Mikut 2019)].
In addition, there have been numerous presentations at aviation industry conferences where
the presentations were available to conference participants but not published in technical jour-
nals. These typically describe:
1. Overviews of technologies available for use by airports to monitor and measure vehicle or
pedestrian flows [e.g., “License Plate Recognition on the Airport Roadway” (Swonsen 2018)]
2. Applications of technologies to monitor and manage airport ground transportation opera-
tions [e.g., “Enhancing Operations Through Technology” (Swonsen 2015) and “What’s New
in Airport Curbside Management” (Duncan 2011)]
3. A specific airport’s approach toward collecting and analyzing data and applying them to
day-to-day operations and decision-making. Examples include “High-Efficiency Roadway
Management at LGA” (Carbonaro 2022), “Washington Dulles International Airport, Moni-
toring Ground Transportation Customer Service” (Patchan 2007), and “TNC Planning and
Operations at San Francisco International Airport” (Gubser 2016).
In summary, there are many examples of (a) published research regarding general issues
related to airport data collection and management, (b) one-time tests of potential data collec-
tion methods or uses of data to evaluate potential mathematical models, and (c) ACRP research
on data collection methods, use, and other considerations for airports. However, information on
specific airport data collection efforts and use is limited to conference presentations that are not
publicly available. Where copies of these were in the Research Team’s files, relevant information
has been included in the findings of this synthesis.
JAC
MDW
ORD
DEN IND
SNA
SAN PHX
FLL
CHAPTER 3
The information presented in this report is based on a survey of staff at large, medium, small,
and non-hub U.S. airports directly responsible for airport planning, ground transportation oper
ations, or terminal operations. Of the airports contacted, 23 responded. As shown in Table 3-1
and Figure 3-1, the responding airports included 14 large-hub, five medium-hub, three small-
hub, and one non-hub airport.
The participating airports reflect the range of data collection efforts at airports. Of the 23 respond-
ing airports, four are operated by counties, eight are operated by cities, two are operated jointly by
city and county, and nine are operated by airport or port authorities.
Figure 3-2 through Figure 3-9 summarize the responses from the staff of the 23 airports that
completed the survey. Appendix A: Survey Questions with Results provides full individual survey
results.
Table 3-1. Hub size and 2019 enplaned passengers of participating airports.
Airport 2019 Operating
Airport Name Hub Size
Code Enplanements Jurisdiction
Chicago O’Hare International Airport ORD 40,871,223 Large City
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport DFW 35,778,573 Large Authority
Denver International Airport DEN 33,592,945 Large City & County
John F. Kennedy International Airport JFK 31,036,655 Large Authority
San Francisco International Airport SFO 27,779,230 Large City & County
Newark Liberty International Airport EWR 23,160,763 Large Authority
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport PHX 22,433,552 Large City
Boston Logan International Airport BOS 20,699,377 Large Authority
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport FLL 17,950,989 Large County
LaGuardia Airport LGA 15,393,601 Large Authority
Salt Lake City International Airport SLC 12,840,841 Large City
San Diego International Airport SAN 12,648,692 Large Authority
Tampa International Airport TPA 10,978,756 Large Authority
Chicago Midway International Airport MDW 10,081,781 Large City
John Wayne Airport SNA 5,153,276 Medium County
San Antonio International Airport SAT 5,022,980 Medium City
Indianapolis International Airport IND 4,709,183 Medium Authority
Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport CVG 4,413,457 Medium County
Reno-Tahoe International Airport RNO 2,162,250 Medium Authority
Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport SAV 1,461,360 Small City
Colorado Springs Airport COS 828,429 Small City
Eugene Airport EUG 596,156 Small City
Jackson Hole Airport JAC 444,047 Non-hub County
Source: InterVISTAS Consulting USA LLC; 2019 Enplanement data from FAA.
EUG
JAC BOS
MDW
SLC ORD EWR, JFK, LGA
RNO
SFO DEN IND
COS CVG
SNA
SAN PHX Large-hub
SAV Medium-hub
DFW Small-hub
SAT Non-hub
TPA
FLL
1
3 4
20 3
1
1
6
15
10 8
1
10
2
2 1
12
5
7 7
0
Total vehicle volume data Mode-specific vehicle volume data Vehicle classification data
* includes airports that indicated they collect the data but did not identify collection frequency.
20 5
9 10
2
15
3
1
2 1
10 6
9
1 10
5 1
5 1
1 2
0
Passenger mode share data Wait times for transportation services Curbside dwell times
* includes airports that indicated they collect the data but did not identify collection frequency.
20 5
10
2 13
15 1
2
2 1
10
5 2
1 4
5 11
3
2
3 1
0 1
Ridership of airport-owned shuttle Ridership of public transit services Staging / hold lot wait times
services
* includes airports that indicated they collect the data but did not identify collection frequency.
• Wait times for transportation services: One airport collects this information more than once
a year; 10 collect it as necessary; two collect it under “other”; one does not know if the airport
collects the data; nine do not collect this information.
• Curbside dwell times: Two airports collect this information continuously; one collects it
more than once a year; nine collect it as necessary; one responded “other”; 10 do not collect
this information.
• Ridership of airport-owned shuttle services: Eleven airports collect this information con-
tinuously; two collect it more than once a year; two collect it annually; one collects it as neces-
sary; two collect it under “other”; five do not collect this information.
• Ridership of public transit services: Three airports collect this information more than once
a year; three collect it as necessary; one collects it annually; five collect it as necessary; one
responded “other”; 10 do not collect this information.
• Staging/hold lot wait times: One airport collects this information continuously; one collects
it more than once a year; two collect it annually; four collect it as necessary; two collect it
under “other”; 13 do not collect this information.
4
20 7
9 2
15 1 3
1
1 1
1
10
11 9
12
5
1
1
2 3
0
Queue length at ticketing Time in queue at ticketing Queue length at security checkpoint
* includes airports that indicated they collect the data but did not identify collection frequency.
20 5
8
2 12
15 1
5
3
10 1 2
1
1
7
5 5
9
1
3 3
0
Time in queue at security checkpoint Passenger movement (e.g., passenger Other data (e.g., related to
counts at discrete locations and/or concessions, bag claim, restrooms,
following certain paths) etc.)
* includes airports that indicated they collect the data but did not identify collection frequency.
• Time in the queue at ticketing: Nine airports collect this information as necessary; one col-
lects it annually; three collect it continuously; one does not know if the airport collects the
data; nine do not collect this information.
• Queue length at the security checkpoint: Twelve airports collect this information continu-
ously; one collects it more than once a year; one collects it annually; three collect this infor-
mation as necessary; two collect it under “other”; four do not collect this information.
One airport indicated that these data are collected daily by TSA.
• Time in the queue at the security checkpoint: Nine airports collect this information continu-
ously; one collects it more than once a year; one collects it annually; five collect it as necessary;
two collect it under “other”; five do not collect this information.
One airport indicated that data is collected daily by TSA.
• Passenger movement: Seven airports collect this information as necessary; three collect it
continuously; one collects it annually; three collect it under “other”; one does not know if the
airport collects the data; eight do not collect this information.
• Other data: Five airports collect this information as necessary; one responded “other”; three
collect it continuously; two do not know if the airport collects the data; 12 do not collect this
information.
4
20 7
9 1
1
15 2
6
2
10 8 2
6
2
5 1 1
7
5 5
0
Queue length at customs / immigration Time in queue at customs / Concession usage
immigration
* includes airports that indicated they collect the data but did not identify collection frequency.
20
9 9
14
15
1 1
2 2
10
5 1
8 3
5 2
4
4 2
0 1 1
Passenger movement (e.g., passenger Passenger accumulation (e.g., Other data (e.g., related to
counts at discrete locations and/or holdrooms, restrooms) concessions, bag claim, restrooms,
following certain paths) etc.)
* includes airports that indicated they collect the data but did not identify collection frequency.
• Time in the queue at customs/immigration: Eight airports collect this information as neces-
sary; five collect it continuously; one collects it more than once a year; two do not know if the
airport collects the data; seven do not collect this information.
• Concession usage: Seven airports collect this information continuously; six collect it as neces-
sary; two collect it annually; two collect it more than once a year; one collects it under “other”;
one does not know if the airport collects the data; four do not collect this information.
• Passenger movement: Five airports collect this information as necessary; four collect it con-
tinuously; two collect it more than once a year; and two collect it under “other”; one does not
know if the airport collects the data; nine do not collect this information.
• Passenger accumulation: Eight airports collect this information as necessary; two collect it
more than once a year; one collects it continuously; two responded “other”; one does not know
if the airport collects the data; nine do not collect this information.
• Other data: Four airports collect this information as necessary; one collects it more than once
a year; three collect it under “other”; one does not know if the airport collects the data; 14 do
not collect this information.
Responses are indicated here, and for instances where “other” was the response, it is detailed
if the information was shared:
• Mode choice: One airport collects this information more than once a year; six collect it as
necessary; two collect it annually; one collects it continuously; one responded “other”; three
do not know if the airport collects the data; nine do not collect this information.
1
20 5
9
15 4 16
3
10 1
6 13 1
5 1
2 3
1 1
0 1 1
Mode choice Parking / permit data Other data related to landside
* includes airports that indicated they collect the data but did not identify collection frequency.
• Parking/permit data: Thirteen airports collect this information continuously; four collect it
more than once a year; five collect it as necessary; one does not collect this information.
• Other data related to landside: Three airports collect this information as necessary; one col-
lects it more than once a year; one collects it continuously; one responded “other”; one does
not know if the airport collects the data; 16 do not collect this information.
CHAPTER 4
This section provides an overview regarding the different kinds of data collected at airports;
the technologies and systems used to collect data; the expenses associated with acquiring, ana-
lyzing, and maintaining the data; and the legal challenges that may arise from data collection
and storage. Information presented in this section was collected through interviews with air-
port staff based on their survey responses. Airport staff indicated that airport data collection
could be a critical component of landside operations management, providing valuable insights
into passenger patterns and flow, facility utilization, customer experience, ground transporta-
tion services utilization, and terminal operations. Airport staff also indicated that effective data
collection, analysis, and reporting can help airport operators make data-driven decisions to
optimize landside operations, improve the passenger experience, and ultimately support plan-
ning and development at the airport.
16
reporting, direct observations, and automated electronic monitoring systems [e.g., automated
people counters (APCs)]. Each of these data collection methods has its strengths and weaknesses,
and airports must choose the correct tool or combination of tools to effectively collect and analyze
data that will inform their decision-making processes. ACRP Research Report 235: Guidebook for
Conducting Airport User Surveys and Other Customer Research (Franz et al. 2021) provides guid-
ance on many data collection methods, including focus groups and intercept surveys.
techniques, to protect personal information and adopting policies and procedures to ensure
that data are collected, stored, and used in a manner that complies with legal requirements.
In addition to these technical measures, it is also important for airports to provide transparent
notice to individuals about their data collection and storage practices and to obtain consent for
these practices where required by law. Robust data security practices, such as regular security
audits and data backup and recovery procedures, can help airports minimize the risk of data
breaches and unauthorized access to personal information.
The legal requirements surrounding data collection and storage in the United States are com-
plex, multifaceted, and in flux. Organizations must be proactive in ensuring compliance with
these requirements. By adopting a “privacy by design” approach and implementing robust pri-
vacy and security practices, organizations can minimize the risk of legal challenges and ensure
that their data collection and storage practices are consistent with the privacy rights of indi
viduals. Multiple sources can provide legal advice and guidelines on best practices for com-
plying with applicable data protection laws and incorporating privacy considerations into the
design and development of products, services, and systems that are secure, efficient, and protec-
tive of personal data and privacy from the outset.
CHAPTER 5
The ability to effectively analyze and interpret data is critical for airports to stay competitive
and meet the current and evolving needs of passengers, airports, and stakeholders. Several steps
are typically involved in data decision-making at airports:
1. Defining the problem or question: This involves identifying the issue or question that needs
to be addressed and understanding the context and scope of the problem.
2. Gathering data: Once the problem or question has been defined, relevant data need to be
collected from various sources, such as surveys, interviews, focus groups, or other data col-
lection methods.
3. Analyzing data: Once the data have been collected, the information needs to be analyzed to
identify patterns, trends, and relationships. This analysis may involve statistical techniques,
data visualization tools, or other methods.
4. Interpreting results: After the data have been analyzed, the results need to be interpreted in
the context of the problem or question identified in step one.
5. Making decisions: Based on the data analysis and interpretation results, decisions must be
made to address the problem or question identified in step one. These decisions may involve
developing strategies, making policy changes, or taking other types of action.
6. Monitoring and evaluating: Once decisions have been made, it is important to monitor and
evaluate the impact of those decisions over time to determine if they effectively addressed the
problem or question identified in step one and if any adjustments need to be made.
22
5. Communication involves communicating the findings and conclusions from the data
analysis to the relevant stakeholders, including preparing reports, presentations, and dash-
boards that communicate the findings and their implications for decision-making.
In addition to these key steps, airport data interpretation may involve data visualization and
analysis tools, such as Microsoft Excel, PowerBI, Tableau, and other dashboards. These tools can
help airport operators quickly and easily visualize and analyze large amounts of data, enabling
them to gain insights and make informed decisions.
One of the most widely used tools is Microsoft Excel, a spreadsheet software for basic data
analysis and visualization. With Excel, airport operators can create charts, pivot tables, and other
data summaries to help them better understand their data. In addition to Excel, other business
intelligence tools such as PowerBI and Tableau are also commonly used at airports for data
analysis and visualization. These tools provide advanced data visualization capabilities, allowing
airport operators to create interactive dashboards and reports that can help support decision-
making processes. For example, a dashboard in PowerBI or Tableau can show the number of
passengers that have traveled through an airport, the average length of time they spend in the
terminal, and the most popular retail and food and beverage outlets. An example of a dashboard
summarizing airport data is provided in Figure 5-1.
In addition to using in-house tools and dashboards, many airports also utilize the services of
third-party contractors and consultants for data analysis and interpretation. These contractors
and consultants bring specialized expertise and knowledge to the data analysis process, suggest-
ing how the data can support decision-making processes. For example, a consultant may analyze
passenger data to identify trends and patterns that can help airports understand what drives pas-
senger behavior and make decisions that support growth and improve the passenger experience.
Aside from these tools, some airports also use custom dashboards and reporting tools tailored to
their specific needs and data sources. These dashboards can provide real-time data and insights
critical for effective decision-making. For example, a custom dashboard can provide data on wait
times at security checkpoints, which can help airports identify areas for improvement and make
changes to reduce wait times for passengers.
design decisions. For example, data can be used to determine the locations where passengers are
most likely to congregate, such as at security checkpoints or ticket counters, which in turn can
inform the design and layout of the airport to ensure that these areas are easily accessible and
well-staffed.
Data also provide information for day-to-day operations and business processes, such as fees,
revenues, and financial planning. By collecting and analyzing passenger demand and behavior
data, airport operators can make informed decisions about allocating resources and improv-
ing their operations. For example, ground access data can be used to determine the optimal fee
structure for commercial ground transportation, ensuring that the fees reflect an operator’s use
of airport facilities and the business benefit they derive from them and that the revenue gener-
ated is sufficient to cover the costs of operating and maintaining the ground access facilities (e.g.,
roadways, curbsides, and hold lots).
Figure 5-2 shows an example of how the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey used and
distilled multiple data sources into a single page. These summaries were used to monitor traffic
conditions and service levels on LaGuardia Airport’s ground transportation system while the
airport was under continual disruption due to construction. The sheet includes information on
total vehicle volumes at key locations, commercial ground transportation activity, public transit
performance, public parking accumulations, construction activity, and airport conditions (e.g.,
weather and flight delays) that could have affected ground transportation activity.
Data provide evidence and support airport staff ’s interactions with stakeholders, senior man-
agement, the board, and the public. By analyzing data and providing clear evidence, airport
operators can make a stronger case for implementing specific solutions, strategies, or improve-
ments, which is especially important when dealing with complex issues or seeking to allocate
resources effectively. Additional examples of how airports have used data-driven problem solving
are provided in Section 6.4.
(Source: Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, presented at AAAE Parking and Landside Management Workshop, September 13, 2017.)
Figure 5-2. Daily report summarizing key ground transportation data, LaGuardia Airport.
Airport Landside Data: Collection and Application
CHAPTER 6
This chapter presents the results of the nine case examples conducted with the assistance
of the staff of the airports serving Chicago (Midway and O’Hare); Denver; Fort Lauderdale;
Indianapolis; Jackson, Wyoming; Orange County, California; Phoenix; and San Diego. As part
of creating these case examples, airport staff were asked about data collection methods, their
use of data in decision-making, any problems encountered, and examples in which the airport
addressed a problem using data. This chapter documents the interview questions and summa-
rizes the information gathered through each case example. Full results are presented in Appen-
dix B: Summary of Interviews with Case Example Airports.
28
• Staging/hold lot wait times are typically collected using ground transportation management
systems as they can identify when a vehicle enters and exits the hold lot.
• Ticket counter queue length and time-in-queue are often collected using camera systems,
video analytics, or a manual survey.
• Security checkpoint data are typically collected by TSA and provided to the airport monthly or
upon request. Similarly, customs and immigration data are typically collected by U.S. Customs
and Border Protection (CBP).
• Passenger movements pre-security and post-security as well as passenger accumulations in
holdrooms are often collected automatically via cameras or beacons and Wi-Fi data.
• Employee mode choice data are often collected using surveys, and employee parking/permit
data are part of the airport’s standard permit system.
between the hold lot and the terminal. Based on the analysis results, the airport relocated the
hold lot, identified a suggested path for drives, and significantly reduced customer waiting times
for TNCs.
CHAPTER 7
32
patterns, and access routes can provide valuable insights into the needs of the airport and
help inform the design of new facilities or improvements to existing ones.
2. Customer experience: Airports are increasingly focused on enhancing the customer experi-
ence, and data can help. By collecting data on passenger wait times, congestion points, and
other key performance indicators, airport operators can identify areas for improvement and
make changes to enhance the passenger experience.
3. Day-to-day operations: Data collection and analysis are essential for effective day-to-day
operations of airport landside facilities. Information on vehicle traffic patterns, passenger
wait times, and concessions usage can be used to optimize operations and reduce delays,
inform staffing decisions, and improve the airport’s overall efficiency.
4. Performance monitoring: Data collection and analysis are crucial for monitoring the per-
formance of airport landside facilities. Information on key performance indicators, such as
passenger wait times and vehicle traffic patterns, can be used to identify trends and make
data-driven decisions to improve the airport’s performance.
Glossary
• Automatic Traffic Recorders (ATR) Machines – Equipment, often portable, that records the
traffic volume crossing a tube or detector.
• Automatic Vehicle Identification (AVI) – A system or Radio Frequency Identification equip-
ment (e.g., vehicle-mounted tags or transponders) commonly used on roadways and bridges
to collect tolls.
• Business Intelligence (BI) Tool – A software application designed to collect, analyze, and
present complex data in a meaningful and actionable way to support business decision-making.
Examples include Microsoft PowerBI and Tableau.
• Demand Capacity Ratio – A measure that compares the demand for a service or resource to
its available capacity.
• Holdroom – A waiting area in an airport associated with a gate for the staging of passengers
waiting to board an aircraft at the gate.
• Landside – For this report, landside includes on-airport roadways and curbsides serving pas-
sengers while excluding public parking and rental car facilities.
• Terminal – For this report, terminal includes public areas of the passenger terminal building
between the building entrances and where passengers scan boarding passes during aircraft
boarding.
• Mode Share – The proportion of travelers using a particular type of ground transportation
service (e.g., private vehicle, taxicab, public transit).
• Privacy by Design – A proactive approach to privacy protection that incorporates privacy
considerations into the design and development of products, services, and systems from the
outset.
• Transportation Network Company – A ride-hailing service that connects passengers with
drivers via a smartphone app. Examples include Uber and Lyft.
• Vehicle Classification – The proportion of each type of ground transportation service (e.g.,
private vehicle, taxi, limousine) in a traffic stream.
34
Acronyms
AI Artificial Intelligence
APC Automated People Counter
ATR Automatic Traffic Recorder
AVI Automatic Vehicle Identification
CBP Customs and Border Protection
CONRAC Consolidated Rental Car Facility
LPR License Plate Recognition
LRD Legal Research Digest
PARCS Parking Access and Revenue Control System
TNC Transportation Network Company
35
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APPENDIX A
Survey Questions
The following questions were asked in the web-based survey.
38
Airport Vehicular Vehicular volumes Mode share Vehicle classification Wait time for Curbside Ridership of Ridership Staging/
volumes (for one or more (e.g., taxicab, (the type of vehicle transportation dwell airport-owned of public hold lot
(total) specific modes, courtesy used, e.g., sedan, services time or operated transit wait
e.g., taxicabs, hotel vehicle, passenger van, shuttle buses, times
courtesy vehicles, charter bus) minibus, full-size APM, other
TNCs) bus)
A Yes Yes Yes No No No Yes Yes No
Copyright National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.
Table A-3 and Table A-4 summarize the types of terminal data collected on the non-secure side
of the terminal.
Some airports indicated “other” frequency and/or provided answers in the free response section.
The following is a summary of the free responses:
• An airport indicated that the airport can collect all data in this section as needed.
• An airport indicated data collection on queue length at ticketing is done when conducting
studies or master plans. Security checkpoint wait time and queue length are collected
daily by TSA. Passenger movement data are collected at check-in.
• An airport indicated that the airport collects data on transactions from concessions and
the number of bags inbound.
• An airport indicated that the airport can request ticketing queue length and wait times
from airlines.
Airport Queue length Time in queue Queue length at the Time in queue at the Passenger movement (e.g., passenger Other data (e.g., related to
at ticketing at ticketing security checkpoint security checkpoint counts at discrete locations or following concessions, bag claim, restrooms,
certain paths) etc.)
A No No Yes Yes No No
B Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
C Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Copyright National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.
Airport Queue length Time in queue Queue length at Time in queue at the Passenger movement (e.g., passenger Other data (e.g., related to
at ticketing at ticketing security checkpoint security checkpoint counts at discrete locations or following concessions, bag claim, restrooms,
certain paths) etc.)
A As necessary As necessary As necessary As necessary -- --
B Annually Annually Annually Annually Annually As necessary
C As necessary As necessary More than once/year More than once/year -- --
D As necessary As necessary Continuous Continuous As necessary As necessary
Copyright National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.
E -- -- -- -- -- --
F As necessary As necessary Continuous Continuous As necessary As necessary
G -- -- Other Other Other --
H As necessary As necessary Other Other -- --
I As necessary Continuous Continuous -- As necessary --
J As necessary As necessary Continuous Continuous As necessary --
K Continuous Continuous Continuous Continuous Continuous As necessary
L Other -- Continuous Continuous Continuous Don't Know
M Don't Know Don't Know Continuous Continuous Continuous Continuous
N As necessary As necessary Continuous Continuous As necessary As necessary
O -- -- -- As necessary Other Continuous
P As necessary As necessary Continuous As necessary Other Other
Q -- -- Continuous -- Don't Know Don't Know
R Continuous Continuous Continuous Continuous As necessary Continuous
S As necessary -- As necessary -- As necessary --
T -- -- -- -- -- --
U -- -- Continuous Continuous -- --
V -- -- -- As necessary -- --
W As necessary As necessary As necessary As necessary -- --
Continuous 2 3 12 9 3 3
More than
0 0 1 1 0 0
once/year
Annually 1 1 1 1 1 0
As Necessary 11 9 3 5 7 5
Other 1 0 2 2 3 1
Don’t Know 1 1 0 0 1 2
-- 7 9 4 5 8 12
-- = Airport does not collect this or provided no response.
Airport Landside Data: Collection and Application
Table A-5 and Table A-6 summarize the data collected on the secure side of the terminal.
One airport indicated “other” for frequency and provided answers in the free response section.
The following is a summary of the free responses:
Airport Queue length Time in queue Concession usage Passenger movement (e.g., Passenger accumulation (e.g., Other data (e.g., related to
at customs/ at customs/ passenger counts at discrete holdrooms, restrooms) concessions, bag claim, restrooms,
immigration immigration locations or following certain etc.)
paths)
A Yes Yes Yes No No
B Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
C
Copyright National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.
Airport Queue length Time in queue at Concession usage Passenger movement (e.g., Passenger accumulation (e.g., Other data (e.g., related to
at customs/ customs/ passenger counts at discrete holdrooms, restrooms) concessions, bag claim, restrooms,
immigration immigration locations and/or following etc.)
certain paths)
A Continuous Continuous As necessary -- -- --
B As necessary As necessary Continuous Continuous As necessary --
C More than
-- -- More than once/year More than once/year --
once/year
D
Copyright National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.
Table A-7 and Table A-8 summarize the data collected on employees.
Some airports indicated “other” for frequency and provided answers in the free response
section. The following is a summary of the free responses:
• An airport indicated that data are collected at exit toll plazas: number of transactions and
payment type (e.g., credit card, cash, QR code, toll tag); number and type of vehicle
(authorized vehicle only) at crossover gates.
• An airport indicated that mode choice data are collected for county employees only.
• “I was once told at a conference that data is just as important as the technology and
infrastructure. That has proven to be more than true.”
• “Data associated with passenger movements post security coming online soon in which
beacons providing continuous data will placed throughout terminals.”
APPENDIX B
Interview Questions
During the follow-up interview with relevant staff, the following questions were asked:
1. How data are collected, what systems/technologies are used (e.g., Passenger intercept survey?
Bluetooth? Wi-Fi access page?)
2. How data are analyzed (e.g., Excel? Other business intelligence software? Contractor?)
3. Why data are collected.
4. How data inform decision-making? The data that airports consider to be important in
informing decision-making.
5. Information on the costs and any legal issues with data collection and storage.
6. The availability of data from contractors or other third-party sources (airlines or other
stakeholders)?
7. What kind of data would you like to have that you currently do not collect or receive?
8. Challenges encountered during data collection, storage, or application to decision-making.
9. An example of how your airport fixed a problem using data.
Case Examples
The airport staff that responded to the online survey indicated their willingness to serve as
case examples. Based on survey responses and airport characteristics, the team identified nine
airports to serve as case examples. Selected airports indicated a range of data collection efforts
across landside facilities and provided diversity in airport activity levels. This section provides a
summary of the case example interviews.
55
shuttles is typically estimated using remote parking exit counts. The Chicago Transit Authority
collects ridership data of public transit through transit passes that can be requested by the airport
when needed. ORD staff also indicated that public transit ridership data have, in the past, been
manually captured by in-person surveys.
Ticket counter queue length and times are collected on an as-needed basis through the use
of camera footage or the use of a survey team. Security checkpoint queue length and times are
collected by TSA and through camera footage.
Customs and immigration queue lengths and times are collected by United States Customs and
Border Protection (CBP) and through camera-based technology. Passenger movement through
the terminal before security and post-security can be manually reviewed through cameras. Con-
cessionaires report their transactions and revenues to the airport. Employee parking and permit
data are collected in the standard parking permit process and placed into an online database.
ORD staff indicated that data analysis varies depending on the data type. Some data are
received through third-party PDFs and often analyzed using Excel. ORD staff reported that data
are collected for a range of reasons, but primarily to support business analytics to understand
the airport’s performance, adjust staffing, understand demand at terminals, and plan ahead by
understanding current utilization and estimating changes for the future.
ORD staff indicated that data on courtesy buses (operated by off-airport hotels and parking
operators) are lacking, and they would like more real-time data. ORD staff stated that no legal
issues have been encountered with data collection, and data must be stored for 5 years. ORD
staff also reported that data from contractors and third-party sources are easily accessible and
available. However, staff also reported a challenge with the timeliness of data and lack of holistic
data for ground access. Additionally, mobilization to gather data (especially passenger intercept
surveys) often requires extra time, delaying the request for data. ORD staff indicated that the
need for interagency coordination and cooperation contributes to the ease of access to data and
timeliness.
To address a roadway congestion issue at Terminal 5, the airport collected traffic volume data,
turning movement counts, and signal timing data. A consultant was engaged to analyze the data
and model the congestion in a microsimulation model (VISSIM). The VISSIM model was used
to test and evaluate the efficacy of potential solutions.
Customs and immigration queue length and times are collected by CBP and through camera-
based technology. Concessionaires report the transactions and revenues to the airport. Employee
parking and permit data are collected during the standard parking permit process.
MDW staff indicated that data analysis varies depending on the data type. Some data are
received through third parties and are often analyzed using Excel. MDW staff reported that data
are collected to develop forecasting, ensure that key performance indicators are met, understand
capacity, inform capital plan updates, support decisions that affect airlines, ensure that revenue is
maximized and captured, and ensure customer service goals and standards are met.
MDW staff expressed the desire for data collection to be more automated but understood
the amount of capital investment required and the business case necessary to implement an
automated data collection system. MDW staff stated that no legal issues have been encountered,
and the city’s legal team has addressed any legal issues well. MDW staff also reported that data
from contractors and third-party sources are easily accessible and available. Staff also reported
the challenge of a non-centralized database of information and the need to reach out to mul-
tiple agencies or sources to receive information. Additionally, while data are readily available,
staff must understand the availability of all data types to determine what relevant data can be
provided.
MDW used ground transportation wait times for TNCs to validate customer complaints
received regarding the poor level of service provided by TNCs. As part of the evaluation, staff
also evaluated the location of the hold lot and the route the vehicle travels to the terminal to
have a holistic understanding of the issue. MDW staff then modified TNC operations to meet
customer service goals better.
informed decisions. Staff indicated that all data are important in informing decision-making;
however, data are used differently depending on the airport department.
DEN staff desire passenger movement and real-time revenue data from concessionaires and
retail. Additionally, staff said they want accurate and easy-to-export traffic data, more data on
vehicle crashes, and real-time traffic safety information. DEN staff stated that no legal issues have
been encountered and data must be stored for 7 years. DEN staff also reported that data from
contractor and third-party sources are generally accessible and available. However, staff also
reported that they had some challenges in receiving flight schedule data from specific airlines
and that GIS data are occasionally delayed or in an incorrect format. While data are typically
readily available, staff must access data through an SQL server and parse through data using
Excel, which requires a detailed understanding of the data.
DEN recently used interterminal train wait time data to inform the decision on train headway
times to ensure adequate capacity during peak times. DEN used cameras to count the number
of passengers boarding and alighting during peak times. All data were aggregated to inform the
operations team monthly to meet customer experience and operational goals.
FLL utilized expected airline load factor data and traffic volume information during the 2022
holiday season to direct drivers to alternative pickup areas on the departure level during high
arrival periods and to alternative drop-off areas on the arrivals level during high departure
periods. The data were also used to determine staffing levels in the terminal building for pre-
dictive and preventive maintenance.
JAC staff expressed the desire to gather data on ground transportation services with greater
detail, specifically for tracking taxicabs and courtesy shuttles using an LPR system. JAC staff stated
that no legal issues have been encountered, and data storage costs are minimal. JAC staff also
reported that data from contractors and third-party sources are generally accessible and avail-
able. The greatest challenge for JAC is staffing limitations for data analysis.
JAC recently used customer survey feedback to encourage the public transit agency to begin
service to the airport. JAC staff also recently used parking capacity and transaction data to inform
parking rate changes and justify changes to the Airport Board. JAC staff used observational data
from ticketing and security queue times and lengths to organically and situationally prioritize
passengers.
but are typically not requested by the airport. Staging and hold lot wait times are tracked by
TNCs, and PHX’s taxicab management contractor is contractually required to track wait times
for taxicabs in the hold lots.
Airline partners collect ticket counter queue length and times. Security checkpoint queue
length and times are collected by TSA and through a sensor-based technology installed in 2016
utilizing Bluetooth and laser/infrared technology.
CBP collects customs and immigration queue length and times. Concessionaires report the
gross revenues to the airport, but new concession contracts will require that concessionaires
provide PHX with transaction-level data in real time using airport-provided standard AVI.
Employee parking and permit data are collected in the standard parking permit process. As part
of a City of Phoenix sustainability initiative, a yearly survey of PHX’s city staff collects various
data about employees, including mode choice data.
PHX staff indicated that tools for data analysis vary, and staff often use Excel and Busi-
ness Intelligence software. PHX staff reported collecting data to understand the environment,
improve the customer journey, inform data-driven decision-making at all levels, and plan daily
operations. PHX’s main goal is to be known as America’s friendliest airport by reducing customer
stress and improving predictability. The airport is focused on understanding customer prefer-
ences and behaviors to improve the customer experience and make it as seamless and hassle-free
as possible. By better understanding what is happening in the environment, the airport can plan
accordingly and tailor the experience to meet customer needs.
PHX has access to a large amount of data, with every line of business utilizing different data
sets for decision-making. To establish a data-driven culture, PHX staff indicated that it is neces-
sary to collect and analyze customer data to understand general customer perceptions and utilize
data for operational improvements, such as staffing and predictive operations. Using granular
data to identify passenger volumes and locations can aid in staff utilization and enable proactive
decision-making. The data are utilized at the senior level for business decisions and by technical
staff for operational improvements.
PHX is currently investigating governance related to the use of customer data. While the
airport currently uses non-personally identifiable information (PII), the staff are assessing new
ways to connect with customers to understand their needs better and provide tailored experi-
ences and services. Staff indicated that as the concerns increase with PII data, the airport is taking
steps to ensure the proper use and safeguarding of the data.
PHX staff indicated that one full-time employee is dedicated to data analytics. PHX staff also
reported that data from contractors and third-party sources are generally accessible and avail-
able. However, staff have encountered bottlenecks in requesting data from concessionaires that
are not a part of the current contract or lease agreements.
PHX staff indicated that data are provided in varying formats and transmitted using various
methods. Combining those disparate sources is labor-intensive and inefficient; thus, automation
is needed to address the challenge of assembly and processing. The knowledge gap in processing
data is another challenge that needs to be addressed; for many data sources, specific expertise is
required to understand and recognize the data quality. Staff believe that with the current demand
from all lines of business, each line of business could benefit from having its own data manage-
ment expertise, allowing each to manage the data effectively.
In 2022, PHX completed the development of a passenger flow optimization model based on
57 different data sources, including automated and manual sources and airline booking data.
PHX uses the flow model to prepare for upcoming passenger activity, including staffing accordingly
and planning maintenance and other activities to minimize potential impacts to passengers.
The study also resulted in a pilot program initially conducted with one in-terminal concessions
operator. PHX provided the concessionaire with model results regarding forecast passenger
volumes in each concourse. The forecast allowed the concessionaire to adjust staffing levels and
plan for supplies in each location. Now, many stakeholders receive these data to improve their
ability to allocate resources and be better prepared to provide the needed level of service in
response to projected demand.
ISBN 978-0-309-70924-8
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9 780309 709248