Methodology for defining the new optimum level of service in airport passenger terminals

ABSTRACT

This paper proposes a methodology based on agent-based simulation to define the new optimum airport level-of-service (LOS) that guides cost-efficient terminal design while providing passengers with a reasonable LOS. It aims to allow at least 50% of passengers to experience the new optimum LOS range while cutting off LOS values during peak and off-peak periods. The simulation also helps to adopt the standard cut-off combination and test the applicability of the methodology. The test reveals that the proposed methodology is useful for establishing an alternative LOS standard that is more cost-efficient and flexible than the conventional IATA standard and could be applicable for other public transport terminals.

KEYWORDS:

• Leviel-of-service
• airport design standard
• airport terminal planning
• transport terminal planning
• agent-based simulation

Acknowledgement

This research was supported by UNSW Sydney under a Science Faculty Research Grant 2013. No financial interest or benefit has arisen from the direct application of this research.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).