Airport terminal landside facilities evolve in response to changes in travelers' needs and industry development. New functions must be accommodated in airport facilities not originally designed for those purposes. Increased passenger and baggage screening, provisions for self-service check-in, blast protection and chemical-biological threat mitigation, the need to improve intermodal connections among various ground transportation services, new technology, new legislation, and the special needs of an aging population and persons with disabilities are all making pressing demands on the limited airport terminal area.

To address such demands, some airports have moved functions from their traditional locations, reallocated space within the terminal, converted and reconstructed facilities, or created new types of facilities. Such changes have varied impacts on passengers' experience, airlines' relationships with their customers, and airport revenues and costs. Research is needed on the interface between various airport terminal landside elements (e.g., garages, roads, curbs, terminals) to identify improved ways of accommodating new airport terminal functions.

The objective of this research was to develop new concepts that will stimulate design innovation for terminal landside facilities at FAA-designated large- and medium-hub airports to improve passenger accessibility and level of service between ground transportation and the secure parts of the terminal.

Status:   The revised final report has been published as ACRP Report 10.