Chapter 1

INTRODUCTION

 

1.1AIRPORT MASTER PLANNI OBJECTIVES

1.1.1 This manual is directed at authorities respon­sible for the planning and development of airports and particularly those which may not have experienced planning departments or staff. It is compiled in a manner intended to be suitable for use by these authorities and their planning staff in such matters as supporting requests to higher authorities for finance and in advising airport consultants, engineers, and planners of the airport auth­orities' requirements for development work.

 

1.1.2 In this manual, problems of airport planning are analysed. The widest and most general aspects are treated first, followed by more detailed consideration of specific areas and facilities. From basic premises deductions are made and conclusions drawn by process of analysis and this is continued through all relevant stages. This approach is applicable to both existing and new airports regardless of size or location, and to the initial planning and also subsequent development and expansion of facilities.

 

1.1.3 One of the problems of airport planning is that basic facts and principles have not been presented compre­hensively. this is especially true in respect to passenger facilities. Formal analysis is essential for any reasonably satisfactory future development. Therefore, basic facts need to be stated so that they can be challenged and tested throughout the world and, if found incorrect, replaced by others which can be similarly tested until a faultless body of data is compiled. The deductions made and the prin­ciples established should be similarly arrived at by analysis so that the present situation of conflicting "options" is replaced by data. It is hoped that the method of presen­tation used here may help to lay the foundation for a set of agreed facts and principles on which a general approach to airport problems can be based. From such facts more functional airports may evolve.

 

1.1.4 Flow planning is the basis of transport, and thus of airport development. Therefore, throughout the document the parts of an airport are dealt with as flow routes and facilities are considered at the appropriate functional stage on the flow routes. Air transport is part of the world's transport system and airports cannot be considered in isolation. Thus this manual includes con­sideration of factors beyond the airport boundary, but only to the extent necessary for airport planning, as detailed consideration of all aspects of these associated factors would be impossible and inappropriate.

 

1.1.5 Design solutions are not dealt with. Planning is a specialized phase of airport development which is necessary before design can begin. A clear recognition of the distinction between planning and design is essential for the most beneficial use of this manual.

 

1.2 USE OF THIS MANUAL

1.2.1 The chapters in this manual can be read as self-contained treatments of the subjects covered by their titles. However, cross references are provided for the benefit of authorities which may be planning more than one airport element, and to avoid duplication and repetition. Refer­ences to other ECAA documents and to other significant publications are given at the end of each chapter. These references are intended to supplement this manual, giving guidance on the use of specialized skills and methods for airport planning. A glossary of aeronautical terms is presented in the appendix for use by those who may not be familiar with a particular technical terminology.

 

1.2.2 The document does not attempt to duplicate the large body of information already available on airport design. Its aim rather is to assist in the definition of requirements and in the logical analysis and solution of problems associated with the preparation of a basic over­all framework or plan. this, in turn, provides the sound foundation necessary for realization of the maximum advantages of good design, prudent investment and efficient operation and management.

 

1.3 ORGANIZATION OF THIS MANUAL

1.3.1 This manual is comprised of four principal sections, namely: Airport Planning Process; Air Side Development; Land Side Development; and Airport Support Elements. Chapters are arranged within each of these sections to present related subject matter in a logical order.

 

Section One ‑ Airport Planning Process

1.3.2 This section outlines the planning process and the important factors which authorities must consider in preparing an airport master plan. It explains the import­ance of consultation and co‑operative planning and the need to develop a systematic approach in determining future airport requirements. Further, the purpose and objectives of an airport master plan are described together with guidance as to how the master plan should be used, once it has been completed.

1.3.3 Within Section One are four chapters describing the significant features of the airport planning process.

¤Chapter 2 ‑ Preplanning Considerations. The purpose of this chapter is to identify the most important of pre­planning considerations which, if followed, will provide the framework for an effective and feasible airport master plan.

¤Chapter 3 ‑ Forecasting for Planning Purposes. Aviation forecasts provide basic data for determining the needs and required capacity of an airport and are the basis for projection of airport revenues.

¤Chapter 4 ‑ Financial Arrangements and Controls. The economic analysis establishes a programme for providing the necessary funding of the aerodrome. This chapter delineates the more significant elements which need to be considered relative to forecasting and economic planning.

¤Chapter 5 ‑ Airport Site Evaluation and Selection. In order for the airport to have the longest possible useful life and in order to maximize the substantial capital investment required in airport development, sufficient ground area should be available to accommodate progressive devel­opment commensurate with the growth in air traffic. This chapter describes the process of site selection and evalu­ation including an assessment of the shape and size of the area required for the airport, the location of sites having potential for development, and an examination and evaluation of alternative sites.

Section Two ‑ Air Side Development

1.3.4 Before plans can be developed for facilities for the many functional requirements which an airport has to meet, concepts for the various operational systems have to be considered and compared.

1.3.5 The principal factors to be considered are outlined in this section. Because of their physical charac­teristics and the land required and all the other factors which affect them and limit free choice of layout, runways and taxiways are the first to be considered. After deter­mination of the dimensional criteria, pavement strength, and airfield capacity and configuration, other elements of the air side of the airport, namely the apron and navigation and traffic control aids are covered in turn.

 

¤Chapter 6 ‑ Runways and Taxiways. Because of the large areas of land they require and their relationship to the large airspaces necessary for aircraft operations, runways and their associated taxiways serve as a starting point for consideration of airport layout.

A substantial body of information exists on the subject of planning and design of airport runways and taxiways. The information contained in this chapter serves the purpose of informing the airport planner on matters pertaining to dimensional criteria, pavement strength, runway length, and airfield capacity. It illustrates the relationship and importance of these elements in the overall airport master planning process.

¤Chapter 7 ‑ Aprons. The greater portion of this chapter brings together, in a capsulated manner, the significant concepts and considerations needed to satisfy the planning objectives for aircraft aprons. The chapters cover, inter alia: locations, layouts, number of stands required, facilities for passengers and cargo to board and leave aircraft, and facilities for aircraft servicing.

¤Chapter 8 ‑ Air and Ground Navigation and Traffic Control Aids at Airports. Planning of airports must include provision for facilities which will support the air traffic control system, for navigation aids for aircraft approaching the airport, and finally for control of aircraft and vehicles on the surface of the airport. The purpose of this chapter is to describe the requirements for such control aids as they pertain to airport master planning.

Section Three ‑ Land Side Development

1.3.6 This section provides specific planning guide­lines for that area of the airport to which the non‑travelling public has free access, as well as for the non‑public portions of airline operations and cargo facilities, airport administration and government facilities. Major elements comprising land side development include the passenger building, cargo facilities, and ground transport and vehicle circulation and parking.

¤Chapter 9 ‑ Passenger Building. This chapter deals with planning for facilities to accommodate those activities associated with the transfer of passengers and their baggage from the point of interchange between ground transportation and the passenger building to the point of connexion with the aircraft, and with the transfer of connecting and in‑transit passengers and their baggage between flights. For many airports to which this manual is directed, passenger facilities will be contiguous with one general location on the airport. However, in certain circumstances, particular functions, such as air cargo processing, may be situated at locations remote from the main passenger building. Planning principles, factors affecting the type and scale, and specific planning details of various passenger building functions are among the topics covered in this chapter.

¤Chapter 10 ‑ Cargo Facilities. The same consider­ations which influence the sitting of the passenger facilities also apply to the cargo area. The priority accorded to this area in deciding the compromise necessary to achieve over­all compatibility will depend on the nature of the traffic for which the airport is intended. The purpose of this chapter is to examine some aspects of problems likely to be found when planning cargo facilities. One of the main considerations involved is the space required for this facility.

¤Chapter 11 ‑ Ground Transport and Internal Airport Vehicle Circulation and Parking. This chapter deals with the planning of that element of the airport which will accommodate the ground transport of passengers, baggage and employees to, from and within the airport. Planning of roadways and vehicle parks to accommodate these airport users will be based upon forecasts developed according to Chapter 3 and upon surveys conducted at the airport.

 

Section Four ‑ Airport Support Elements

1.3.7 A number of buildings and operations for special purposes are necessary to support the functioning of an airport. The need for all or some of the buildings described in this section will vary from airport to airport, as will the specific space requirements. In general, their number and complexity will depend on the volume of traffic. Their locations in the airport or individual master plans should be determined by the functions they are to fulfil and their compatibility with the major features of the plan.

1.3.8 This section further describes the importance of making adequate provision for airport security.

¤Chapter 12 ‑ Airport Operations and Support Facilities. Buildings for a variety of operational purposes are required at an airport. These include accommodation for meteorological, air traffic control, communications, rescue and fire fighting services, fuel depot and all the facilities for administration and maintenance, staff, aircraft operators, general aviation facilities and police, etc., and sometimes a hotel. This section describes the function of each of these support facilities and their relationship with other elements of the airport covered in this manual.

¤Chapter 13 ‑ Aircraft Fuel Facilities. The handling of fuel at airports is an important subject to be taken into account when planning airport facilities since special requirements have to be met with regard to safety, minimizing aircraft gate occupancy times, and movements of large and heavy vehicles. This chapter describes storage capacity, location of fuel storage, various systems for fuelling of aircraft and design requirements related to fuelling systems.

¤Chapter 14 ‑ Security Considerations. All airports require that a level of security be maintained, the exact level being dependent on the situation existing in a particular State. In order for security to be effective, a systems approach is required and this includes the basic plan for the design of the airport. All the measures listed in this chapter need not be implemented at every airport but they should be considered against the level of security which it is desired to effect and they should be implemen­ted in such a way as will cause a minimum of interference with, or delay to, passengers, crew, baggage, cargo and mail.