Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW/KDFW), TX, USA

Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) has developed a comprehensive capital development plan. This plan involves investing $2.6 billion into the airport's infrastructure over the next six years.

AIR TRAVEL GROWTH

Dallas/Fort Worth Airport has planned its expansion in order to capitalise on the projected growth in domestic US air travel, which is expected to grow from its current level of 650 million embarkations per year to almost one billion by 2009. This projected growth is equal to ten new DFW airports. Similarly, international air travel is expected to almost double over the next ten years in the USA to almost 250 million embarkations per year.

AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT PLAN

To accommodate the projected increase in aircraft operations described above, the 1991 Dallas/Fort Worth airport development plan identified two primary areas for improvement:

• Reducing delays on the existing runways and taxiways, including enhancements to the service/cargo road system, primarily around the west terminal.
• Increasing overall capacity. The cargo roads will provide routes necessary to mitigate usage of service roads by cargo and aircraft service vehicles. A portion of these cargo roads will also provide access during construction.

TERMINAL D

The construction of terminal D will outstrip the existing system's capability to connect passengers between terminals. The automated people mover (APM) will provide a system of vehicles, stations and guideways that will limit the unassisted walking distance to a maximum of 2,000ft between any two gates as well as ensuring that connection times do not exceed 30 minutes. The airside guideway alignment will also require the relocation of existing aircraft parking positions and the mitigation of ramp control line-of-site obstructions that might be created by the APM.

Terminal D is anticipated to provide 23 replacement jet gates as well as the federal inspection services required for international service. International Parkway access is to be provided via a flyover bridge and carousel roadway system similar to those in use at existing terminals. Parking structures for 7,000 cars are also part of the project.

To facilitate pedestrian circulation, alternative routes will be provided from terminals D to C and from terminal D to the west hotel tower.

Airport-wide fuelling system upgrades will satisfy the additional storage capacity required while updating the emergency fuel shut-off system.

TERMINAL CIRCULATION ROADS

A number of projects have been identified to improve public access and customer satisfaction. A project consisting of terminal circulation roads and buses will address the inter-terminal connectivity of non-secure passengers. Service road safety concerns will be addressed by the addition of acceleration and deceleration lanes.

Overall roadway improvements are planned for the north, south and west sides of the airport and parking is addressed via several projects. The north shuttle parking lot will be expanded by 900 spaces, a larger garage will be provided at terminal B, section B and the existing rental car lots will be converted to surface parking upon the opening of the new consolidated rental car facility.

FUNDS

Major projects are being funded by DFW's discretionary funds. Included is an expansion to the administration building on East Airfield Drive to accommodate both existing needs as well as the additional staff projected by 2003.

With the implementation of the airport's $2.6 billion capital development plan, it is estimated that DFW's investment will generate an additional $34 billion in economic impact on the North Texas economy, and an additional 77,000 new jobs over the next 15 years.