Optimal construction site layout planning for airport expansion projects

The close proximity between construction resources and airport operational areas is one of the main challenges in airport expansion projects as it often leads to an increased level of risk to construction safety, aviation safety, and airport security. In order to minimize these risks, construction site layouts for airport expansion projects need to be carefully planned and managed.; The main objectives of this study are to: (1) formulate efficient methodologies to evaluate and optimize the impact of site layout planning on construction safety; (2) develop robust construction-related aviation safety models that maximize compliance with all relevant Federal Aviation Administration safety regulations; (3) model the impact of site layout planning on minimizing construction-related security breaches; and (4) integrate the aforementioned research developments into a prototype multi-objective site layout optimization system.; First, an innovative construction safety model is developed in order to evaluate and optimize the impact of site layout planning on construction safety. The model incorporates three newly developed performance criteria which are formulated to improve crane operations safety; control hazardous material storage; and reduce intersections among heavily traveled routes on site. Second, a new construction-related aviation safety model is developed to enable maximizing the control of construction debris hazards; minimizing the hazards of attracting wildlife species to airport operational areas; and complying with all FAA aviation safety constraints including height limitation, underground utilities protection, and restricted safety areas control. Third, a novel model is formulated to minimize airport security breaches that may originate from the construction site. Fourth, a prototype multi-objective site layout optimization system is developed to enable the simultaneous optimization of construction safety, construction-related aviation safety, construction-related airport security, and the overall site layout costs; and support enhanced visualization of the generated optimal site layout solutions in CAD software systems.; The research developments of this study contribute to the advancement of current practice in construction site layout planning and can lead to: (1) increasing the efficiency of construction operations; (2) improving the level of construction safety; (3) reducing construction-related hazards to aviation safety; and (4) enhancing the security of operational airports during construction.