ADDITIONAL FEATURES

Enabling Global Commerce

For all of the economic instability among airlines today, the biggest challenge facing airports like our long-time client DFW is expanding capacity to meet demand.

The 2006 numbers are staggering: world passenger traffic hit 4.3 billion and cargo topped 79 million tons, leading airport operators to commit $38 billion for new capacity. By 2010 they’re looking at 5.3 billion passengers and 100+ million cargo tons worldwide. Our work at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport is keeping one of the 10 busiest airports in the world competitive.

This work encompasses structural engineering for the new $700-million Terminal D, parking consulting and structural engineering on the adjacent “Smart Garage”, and development of an automated parking revenue and access control system for the airport.

Within approximately 2 million square feet, the 23-gate terminal consolidates DFW’s international arrivals and departures in one location, while incorporating a “swing” capability for international and domestic service. A central federal inspection facility can handle over 2,800 passengers per hour. Serving Terminal D is an 8,100-car, 2.6-million-square-foot parking garage whose eighth level connects to the terminal and roadway system via elevated, moving pedestrian walkways. To assist visitors in navigating this massive space and minimize their search for a parking space near their gate, the garage employs an Automated Vehicular Information (AVI) System.

In another effort to improve airport efficiency and passenger satisfaction, DFW’s International Airport Board hired us to develop technical specifications for an Automated Parking System (APS). With over 100 lanes of equipment and the necessity of integrating numerous technologies (from automated payment and reconciliation to license plate identification and AVI systems), the new system is the largest parking revenue control system of its kind.

Altogether, our work at DFW is part of the airport’s $2.5-billion program to remain one of the most used airports in the world.

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