The Role And Application Of Computer SimulationModels To Assist With Planning The Piccadilly LineExtension To Heathrow Terminal 5

Abstract

During the planning stage of a new underground railway or extension the promoter(s) need to 'develop a picture' of how the extension is to be designed and operated. Additionally the promoter(s) need to fully appreciate the impact in financial and non-financial terms that the scheme is likely to have when operational on its future business position, especially with regard to how the project is to be financed. The use of computer simulation models provides a useful aid to gaining a full insight of the scheme. London Underground Limited and BAA Pic are jointly seeking to obtain planning powers to enable construction and operation of an extension of the Piccadilly line to the proposed Fifth Terminal at London's Heathrow Airport. This paper illustrates the role and application of various computer based simulation models that have been used to assist in the planning of the scheme. 1. Background London Heathrow Airport is the busiest international airport in the world and the largest in the UK handling 48 million air passengers in 1993, BAA [la]. The airport is located on the western outskirts of Greater London. The four air Terminals are located on two sites with Terminals 1,2 & 3 situated adjacent to each other in the centre of the airport within the Central Terminal Area (CTA) and Terminal 4 situated on the south-east perimeter of the airport. The airport has good highway links to London's M25 orbital motorway, providing good connections to the country's motorway network, and the M4 motorway to central London. There is an extensive network of local bus services, national express coach services throughout UK and rail link bus services to principle mainline rail stations for connections to the national rail network. Figure (1) shows the location of terminal 5 and associated rail schemes within Heathrow airport. In 1977 an extension of London Underground's Piccadilly line was completed linking the airport to London's Mass Transit system and providing direct rail services to Central London for the first time. The construction of Terminal 4 in 1986 required a further extension of Piccadilly line and a new station to serve Transactions on the Built Environment vol 18, © 1996 WIT Press, www.witpress.com, ISSN 1743-3509 194 Computers in Railways the new Terminal. The Piccadilly line provides an important link to the airport carrying 6.4 million air passengers in 1993, approximately 20% of total air passengers. A further 6.2 million non-air passengers per annum (staff, meeters & greeters, & others) used the airport stations giving a total usage at Heathrow stations of around 12.6 million passengers in 1993, LUL & BAA [2a]. Figure (1) : Location of terminal 5 and associated rail schemes within Heathrow airport, LUL & BAA[2b|. Reading to Paddingt Heathrow Airport Boundary (2016)