Development of a computer program for aerodrome movement area facilities planning and design standards

The planning and design of an airport is subject to many difficulties. One of these difficulties stems from uncertainty about the future demands of air traffic evolution. The growth of and change of potential air traffic impact significantly on airport facilities development. Current airport development paradigms seem inadequate to deal with the volatility of air traffic and site conditions. To overcome this dilemma, variables such as the characteristics of airport movement area parts and aircraft, as well as site conditions, have been extensively examined. Then analytical models based on the fleet mix of aircraft type selection and site conditions have been formulated. The main parameters considered in the analytical models are critical design, aircraft, site information and the reference code of the airport. Depending on these parameters and analytical models, a framework for computerised simulation software has been developed. The developed simulation software combines several types of model with different capabilities and features. The objective of these models is to reach an optimum analysis for the planning and design of airport facilities with the greatest degree of flexibility and expansibility. The newly created models are used to determine runway turn pad dimensions, runway exit locations, taxiway fillet and widening dimensions, apron size, visual marking, PAPI sitting distance, firefighting facilities and airspace obstacle limitations for all sizes and types of airport. The improved models can also be used to determine aeroplane reference length and its adjustments as well as the physical characteristics of movement areas. A sample empirical exercise was carried out to verify the benefits obtained from the proposed models. A comparison between the outcomes of this approach and previous methodologies proves the reliability and effectiveness of this technique. Practically, the analysis and calculation result derived from the program models was used to supplement three supporting case studies. In the first case study, the sitting distances of visual aid devices fixed on the runway approaches at five international airports are analysed and assessed. In the second case study, the cumulative usage and landing segments of runway turn-off points was drawn from interactions among the various approach speeds of the different studied aircrafts. The last case study provides the geometrical design charts of taxiway intersection widening portions for different aeroplane groups and manoeuvring systems. The developed planning and design program can be regarded as an alternative supporting tool applied to a variety of airports and aeroplanes.