BACKGROUND

Many airports require passenger processing circulation patterns that use multiple floor levels and lengthy walking distances. To improve efficiency, capacity, and customer service, facility designers have employed a variety of mechanized circulation devices, including escalators and moving walks. In addition to their high initial capital costs, these mechanized devices also have maintenance costs and consume energy.

There are new technologies (e.g., speed control/variable frequency drive, regenerative braking, and power factor control) that can result in cost savings and reduced energy consumption, and recent code changes allowing for variation of escalator or moving walk speed have expanded the number of available options.

Many airports do not have the expertise to determine how to apply these new technologies to their unique needs, operations, and site conditions. Research is therefore needed to help airports identify, evaluate, and select the most appropriate cost-saving and energy reduction technologies for escalators and moving walkways.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this research is to prepare a guidebook, with an associated financial evaluation tool, to help airports compare and select appropriate cost-saving and energy reduction technologies (e.g., speed control/variable frequency drive, regenerative braking, and power factor control) for escalators and moving walks.

STATUS

Research is complete and published as ACRP Report 117.