Field investigation on characteristics of passenger flow in a Chinese hub airport terminal

Abstract

The occupants are one of the major factors influencing indoor environment and building energy consumption. As for airport terminal buildings, the passenger flow distinguishes them from other common public buildings. Thus, the relevant researches are of significant necessity, especially in the recent airport construction boom in China. This paper describes the field investigations of passenger flow in each public area (i.e., check-in hall, departure hall, arrival hall, baggage claim area, arrival passage and transfer hall) of a Chinese hub airport terminal in typical three months of three different seasons. The passengers' dwell time and the total occupant number are two mainly surveyed parameters. The results show large differences in the characteristics of passenger flow between various areas in the terminal building. Furthermore, based on the surveyed dwell time distributions of passengers and the real-time data of passenger flow intensities, the total number of occupants in the check-in hall and the departure hall can be estimated separately. This prediction model will be useful both in design and operation processes of an airport terminal.