Applications - Airport Planning

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Airport Design

Flawless airfield design is vitally important to the success of an airport. Unfortunately, there are too many examples of inefficient runway and taxiway layouts within our nation. It is challenging, if not impossible for airport administrators, consultants and planners to comprehensively understand potential air traffic issues that design changes create without rigorous controller input.

In the past, fast-time modeling software and tabletop consulting with tower staff have been used to develop proposals and to estimate the impact of airfield modifications. But until air traffic controllers can test a new design under peak traffic conditions, there is uncertainty whether design assumptions are accurate. Remedies are expensive or even impractical once construction has occurred.

Using virtual reality simulation, Controllers can be fully immersed into any design and readily identify any efficiency issues. Conducting simulations at NASA’s FutureFlight Central before finalizing construction and environmental plans will mitigate risk and facilitate low cost modifications. Controllers can suggest improvements, evaluate bottlenecks and lend their credibility and support to the most safe and efficient design possible.

Community Affairs

Airports serve a vital role in the infrastructure of our nation. As obsolete airfield layouts are redesigned and improved, community concerns sometimes arise. Often, airport neighbors cannot easily comprehend the air traffic issues motivating these changes. Airport operators can involve local officials in simulation projects. Air traffic controllers can demonstrate existing conditions and proposed improvements at FutureFlight Central and NASA Ames SimLabs integrated facilities. Community leaders benefit through viewing the project’s Video / DVD or even by participating in the simulation to gain a full understanding of complex issues and solutions.

Customer Case Study: Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

The LAX Runway Incursion Studies evaluated several potential LAX airfield design changes with the objective of reducing runway incursion incidents, thus increasing airport safety. In Phase III, a center taxiway design included modified high-speed exits from Runway 25L, one of the airport’s primary landing runways.

While conducting simulations at FutureFlight Central, certified FAA / LAX controllers noticed that the proposed locations of the runway exits were slightly misplaced. This caused aircraft go-arounds during simulated peak traffic conditions, as the distance between turnoffs was too great.

Had this been built and not been discovered, it could have caused unnecessary go-arounds. Each go-around requires an additional 10-15 minutes of extra flying time, fuel and crew costs, controller workload, possible passenger misconnections and the loss of a valuable landing slot, intensifying airport delays. But because LAX carefully tested their designs at FutureFlight Central, controllers identified this subtle inefficiency and the turnoff locations were readily modified.

For more information, please see Our Projects and Los Angeles International Airport Runway Incursion Studies, Phase III — Center Taxiway Simulation.