Automated Mixed Traffic Vehicle Study at Washington National Airport

摘要

Passenger-carrying automated mixed traffic vehicles (AMTV) development has recently demonstrated successful automated vehicle operation in both pedestrian and limited automobile traffic. Passenger-carrying AMTV's are intended to provide the advantages of automation to that segment of the transit market that handles a moderate demand level over short distances at low speeds. This study examines the site and passenger demand characteristics at Washington National Airport and analyzes the application feasibility of providing AMTV service between the air terminals and the long term and satellite parking lots. The AMTV system analyzed includes three separate routes; all routes use 8-passenger AMTV vehicles. Route 1 operates between the air terminals and the satellite parking lots. Routes 2 and 3, operating in conjunction with a hypothetical accelerating walkway system operating between the Metro Rapid Rail Station and the Main Terminal, provide service between the Main Terminal and Long Term Parking Lots. The AMTV system analyzed herein includes a single lane loop, a single lane shuttle, and a double lane route. Route fleet size requirements range from 1 to 4 vehicles. The entire National Airport AMTV System would cost approximately $600,000 to build and $343,000 a year to operate and maintain (O&M). On a route-by-route basis, the AMTV routes studied compare favorably with several other alternative modes in terms of both level of service and costs. Although the AMTV ha higher capital costs than the existing shuttle bus system and the upgraded exclusive right-of-way bus system, the AMTV offers significant savings in annual and O&M costs.