A multimodal option to airport access: Analyzing the demand of airport offsite passenger service facilities

This dissertation aims at researching a method that could potentially improve the ground transportation aspect of a passenger's air travel. It does so by introducing intermodalism into the passenger's access trip - the airport offsite passenger service facility provides services that include passenger check-in, baggage handling and dedicated public transportation to departing air passengers at a remote location.;Such facilities were introduced in the United States in the 1950s, but did not achieve widespread use. In recent years, however, interest has been revived in this airport access option because of changes in technology, land use, and air travel conditions. However, little is known about the potential demand for such new facilities and methodologies are lacking that can be used to estimate demand. Thus, the purpose of this study is to develop models that determine the airports that might be a candidate for an offsite facility and estimate the percent of travelers that will choose an offsite facility to access the airport.;The results of departing air passenger surveys show that 68% of passengers who traveled directly to the airport terminal would consider using an offsite facility if available. The two main reasons cited for using the offsite facilities surveyed in this study were: reduced travel time variability (43%) and lower cost (39%). According to the airport access quality model that was developed, Richmond International Airport (RIC) has the highest potential demand for an offsite facility. Subsequently, the offsite facility usage model estimated a 74% demand for offsite facilities among passengers departing between 8 and 10:30 a.m. and having 45-minute variability in ground travel time. The model also identified the two zip codes, 23220 and 23112 as potential locations of an offsite facility in Richmond, VA.;The findings of the study led the author to believe that offsite facilities should be considered as one of the possible instruments for improving airport ground access. At the same time the study also recognizes that such facilities currently appeal to specific market segments. The author thus recommends further site-specific studies be conducted to quantify public benefits and feasibility of an offsite facility.