Simulation-based knowledge management in airport operations

Capturing and retaining knowledge in any organization is a major challenge. This talk describes how these challenges have been addressed through simulation and modeling techniques for complex engineered systems. A series of case studies that focus on airport processes are used to demonstrate the concepts. Furthermore, the additional benefits that a simulation model can bring, through online control and decision-making support, are discussed.

Investigation into submicrometer particle and gaseous emissions from airport ground running procedures

Emissions from airport operations are of significant concern because of their potential impact on local air quality and human health. The currently limited scientific knowledge of aircraft emissions is an important issue worldwide, when considering air pollution associated with airport operation, and this is especially so for ultrafine particles. This limited knowledge is due to scientific complexities associated with measuring aircraft emissions during normal operations on the ground. In particular this type of research has required the development of novel sampling techniques which must take into account aircraft plume dispersion and dilution as well as the various particle dynamics that can affect the measurements of the aircraft engine plume from an operational aircraft. In order to address this scientific problem, a novel mobile emission measurement method called the Plume Capture and Analysis System (PCAS), was developed and tested. The PCAS permits the capture and analysis of aircraft exhaust during ground level operations including landing, taxiing, takeoff and idle. The PCAS uses a sampling bag to temporarily store a sample, providing sufficient time to utilize sensitive but slow instrumental techniques to be employed to measure gas and particle emissions simultaneously and to record detailed particle size distributions. The challenges in relation to the development of the technique include complexities associated with the assessment of the various particle loss and deposition mechanisms which are active during storage in the PCAS. Laboratory based assessment of the method showed that the bag sampling technique can be used to accurately measure particle emissions (e.g. particle number, mass and size distribution) from a moving aircraft or vehicle. Further assessment of the sensitivity of PCAS results to distance from the source and plume concentration was conducted in the airfield with taxiing aircraft. The results showed that the PCAS is a robust method capable of capturing the plume in only 10 seconds. The PCAS is able to account for aircraft plume dispersion and dilution at distances of 60 to 180 meters downwind of moving a aircraft along with particle deposition loss mechanisms during the measurements. Characterization of the plume in terms of particle number, mass (PM2.5), gaseous emissions and particle size distribution takes only 5 minutes allowing large numbers of tests to be completed in a short time. The results were broadly consistent and compared well with the available data. Comprehensive measurements and analyses of the aircraft plumes during various modes of the landing and takeoff (LTO) cycle (e.g. idle, taxi, landing and takeoff) were conducted at Brisbane Airport (BNE). Gaseous (NOx, CO2) emission factors, particle number and mass (PM2.5) emission factors and size distributions were determined for a range of Boeing and Airbus aircraft, as a function of aircraft type and engine thrust level. The scientific complexities including the analysis of the often multimodal particle size distributions to describe the contributions of different particle source processes during the various stages of aircraft operation were addressed through comprehensive data analysis and interpretation. The measurement results were used to develop an inventory of aircraft emissions at BNE, including all modes of the aircraft LTO cycle and ground running procedures (GRP). Measurements of the actual duration of aircraft activity in each mode of operation (time-in-mode) and compiling a comprehensive matrix of gas and particle emission rates as a function of aircraft type and engine thrust level for real world situations was crucial for developing the inventory. The significance of the resulting matrix of emission rates in this study lies in the estimate it provides of the annual particle emissions due to aircraft operations, especially in terms of particle number. In summary, this PhD thesis presents for the first time a comprehensive study of the particle and NOx emission factors and rates along with the particle size distributions from aircraft operations and provides a basis for estimating such emissions at other airports. This is a significant addition to the scientific knowledge in terms of particle emissions from aircraft operations, since the standard particle number emissions rates are not currently available for aircraft activities.

Risk-informed thinking in airports: the application of business continuity management in airport infrastructure

Airports worldwide represent key forms of critical infrastructure in addition to serving as nodes in the international aviation network. While the continued operation of airports is critical to the functioning of reliable air passenger and freight transportation, these infrastructure systems face a number of sources of disturbance that threaten their operational viability. Recent examples of high magnitude events include the eruption of Iceland’s Eyjafjallajokull volcano eruption (Folattau and Schofield 2010), the failure of multiple systems at the opening of Heathrow’s Terminal 5 (Brady and Davies 2010) and the Glasgow airport 2007 terrorist attack (Crichton 2008). While these newsworthy events do occur, a multitude of lower-level more common disturbances also have the potential to cause significant discontinuity to airport operations. Regional airports face a unique set of challenges, particularly in a nation like Australia where they serve to link otherwise remote and isolated communities to metropolitan hubs (Wheeler 2005), often without the resources and political attention received by larger capital city airports. This paper discusses conceptual relationships between Business Continuity Management (BCM) and High Reliability Theory, and proposes BCM as an appropriate risk-based management process to ensure continued airport operation in the face of uncertainty. In addition, it argues that that correctly implemented BCM can lead to highly reliable organisations. This is framed within the broader context of critical infrastructures and the need for adequate crisis management approaches suited to their unique requirements (Boin and McConnell 2007).

Vision for the next 10 years at Narita Airport

Contents - Narita Airport Today (Airport operations) - Airports in Japan Today and Recent Developments - Future Concept for Narita Airport 10 Year Ahead (Future Initiatives)

Timing and frequency data for passenger divesting at Melbourne domestic airport

The data covers the timing and frequency for divesting in the passenger screening process at Melbourne Airport, Victoria. Divesting is defined as the process of removing items from one's person before going through the screening process and placing them and cabin luggage onto the X-ray conveyor. This may also include removing items from bags to assist in the screening process.

Timing and frequency data for passenger divesting at Sydney domestic airport

The data covers the timing and frequency for divesting in the passenger screening process at Sydney Airport, New South Wales. Divesting is defined as the process of removing items from one's person before going through the screening process and placing them and cabin luggage onto the X-ray conveyor. This may also include removing items from bags to assist in the screening process.

Timing and frequency data for passenger divesting at Adelaide domestic airport

The data covers the timing and frequency for divesting in the passenger screening process at Adelaide Airport, South Australia. Divesting is defined as the process of removing items from one's person before going through the screening process and placing them and cabin luggage onto the X-ray conveyor. This may also include removing items from bags to assist in the screening process.

Timing and frequency data for passenger composing at Melbourne domestic airport

The data covers the timing and frequency for composing in the passenger screening process at Melbourne Airport, Victoria. Composing is defined as the process of collecting personal items after the screening process.

Timing and frequency data for passenger composing at Sydney domestic airport

The data covers the timing and frequency for composing in the passenger screening process at Sydney Airport, New South Wales. Composing is defined as the process of collecting personal items after the screening process.

Timing and frequency data for passenger composing at Adelaide domestic airport

The data covers the timing and frequency for composing in the passenger screening process at Adelaide Airport, South Australia. Composing is defined as the process of collecting personal items after the screening process.

Timing and frequency data for passenger walk through metal detection at Melbourne domestic airport

The data covers the timing and frequency for passengers walking through the metal detectors as part of the screening process at Melbourne Airport, Victoria.

Timing and frequency data for passenger walk through metal detection at Sydney domestic airport

The data covers the timing and frequency for passengers walking through the metal detectors as part of the screening process at Sydney Airport, New South Wales.

Timing and frequency data for passenger walk through metal detection at Adelaide domestic airport

The data covers the timing and frequency for passengers walking through the metal detectors as part of the screening process at Adelaide Airport, South Australia.