Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport Research Articles

Simulation Model to Support Security Screening Checkpoint Operations in Airport Terminals

Since 2001 the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has implemented security screening checkpoints (SSCPs) in the terminals of 440 airports in the U.S.A. The purpose of SSCPs is to prevent prohibited items from being brought onto aircraft. The screening procedure incurs delay to every traveler. This article reports the development of a discrete event simulation model capable of modeling the screening procedures within a SSCP in detail. The model replicates a SSCP at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) and represents the equipment and activities in the SSCP with 153 nodes, 106 links, two sources, two sinks, and 35 servers. The coded model was calibrated with field data collected primarily at PHX. The potential applications of the model were demonstrated via two experiments: (a) increasing the number of TSA staff; (b) reducing the number of screening lanes. The experiments demonstrated that this microscopic simulation approach captured the queue length and waiting time of every internal process within the SSCP. These performance data helped to identify the hot spots within the SSCP so that improvements to the waiting time could be made by focusing on the problematic components.

Airport noise and performance-based navigation: A force for good or evil?

The global aviation system is in the midst of modernisation. This includes a transition to satellite-based navigation, which offers opportunities for improved safety, efficiency and predictability. This paper posits that — despite some false starts — performance-based navigation (PBN) also offers opportunities to address noise problems. PBN relies on satellites for navigation, rather than ground-based navigational aids. The improved precision of PBN routes generally results in concentration of flights into narrow corridors. When implemented without consideration of community impacts, it has resulted in significant community outcry (even lawsuits), but when implemented with care, it can offer potential to avoid noise-sensitive areas. Our experience shows that the most successful projects are those in which the airport has been fully engaged and in which there is extensive and meaningful collaboration between all stakeholders: air navigation service providers (ANSP), industry (including airlines and other operators), airports and communities. Participants should not expect this to be easy — it is a lengthy and expensive process — but one that may be necessary for long-term compatibility and for airport growth. This paper provides an overview of PBN development in the USA as well as case studies of implementation of PBN at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (AZ), Oakland International Airport (CA) and Boston Logan International Airport (MA). The case studies illustrate the increasing collaboration between stakeholders and show that progress can be made.

Terminal Controller Feedback on an Automated Sequencing and Spacing Tool

As part of the technology transfer of the Terminal Sequencing and Spacing (TSAS) prototype from NASA to the FAA, a demonstration of TSAS was conducted in May of 2015. Arrival traffic to the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) was simulated and was worked by four terminal controllers who had no prior exposure to the TSAS tools. Participants were asked for their opinions on the usability and impact of the TSAS tool elements. They reported that the tool elements were usable and that they used some elements more than others. Scales measuring trust and workload recorded that participants’ trust in TSAS increased over the course of the demonstration and that their perceived workload remained moderate to low even during disturbance events that had been scripted into scenario runs.

Emphasising sustainability and exceeding goals

With a focus on sustainability, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport has several key initiatives in place to achieve waste diversion goals and reduce costs. These programmes include a dedicated recycling programme, an innovative construction waste management programme and a runway friction rubber removal recycling plan. Additionally, the new PHX Sky Train® has achieved Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification from the US Green Building Council and has employed several methods which make it an example of environmental sustainability including reductions in emissions and energy. Overall, Phoenix Sky Harbor's system diligently works to implement programmes in which both travellers and tenants can participate, as well as providing environmental benefits.

On Solid Footing

The first phase of construction of the PHX Sky Train, a 5 mi long automated people mover to be located at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, included the design and construction of more than 230 drilled shafts to support three stations and roughly 9,000 ft of elevated guideway. The design had to account for high axial loads, lateral loads, and moments, as well as difficult ground conditions.

Procedural and Operational Consequences of Navigational Equipment Outages: Exploration of Airport Performance

This paper explores the impact of unscheduled navigational and surveillance equipment outages on airport performance during visual flight rules and instrument flight rules at San Francisco International Airport and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. The following most common unscheduled short outages, which occurred during January 2000-December 2002, are analyzed in detail: very high frequency omnidirectional range (VOR), approach lighting system type 2 (ALSF-2), the secondary radar Mode S, and air traffic control radio beacon system (ATCRBS). We explore the air traffic control procedures and responses to unscheduled outages, and develop a methodology to examine the effects of unscheduled outages on airport performance. Two Federal Aviation Administration databases, maintenance management system and aviation system performance metrics, are used to construct censored regression models (i.e., Tobit models) to assess the airport throughput performance during such unscheduled outages. It is found that airport arrival and departure throughputs do not deteriorate with VOR and ALSF-2 outages due to availability of air traffic procedures that allow alternative approaches into the airport. However, the unscheduled outages of secondary radar Mode S and ATCRBS do cause airport throughput degradations.

Wildlife hazard assessment for Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport

We examined wildlife abundance, distribution, and movement patterns at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) and within an 8-km radius to assess current air-strike hazards, and to provide baseline information for projecting changes in air-strike hazards as land-use patterns around PHX change. We found that water sources at or near PHX especially induced wildlife movement patterns that put air traffic at risk. This was particularly true of the Salt River bed adjacent to the airport, which also is a natural flight corridor for birds. Compounding the problem, air traffic at PHX was the heaviest when bird abundance and activity was the greatest during migration and breeding. We feel that air strike hazards at PHX are likely to increase substantially as the Salt River bed is reclaimed to produce additional lakes and high quality riparian habitat. We offer recommendations to reduce the hazard levels currently found at PHX and to reduce additional hazards as the habitat around PHX is converted and produces more attractive wildlife habitat.