Tampa International Airport (TPA)’s state-of-the-art, 16-gate Airside D terminal is part of TPA’s Master Plan to accommodate a projected 35 million annual passengers by 2030. In its role as lead architectural and engineering designer, HNTB developed a fast-time simulation model to assess whether its initial designs would optimize passenger flow through the terminal’s eight-lane security checkpoint.
The model simulated:
- Current and projected flight schedules
- Peak travel months, day and times
- Items screened and screening times
- Travelers’ in-airport walking patterns and pace
- Passenger arrival times based on factors like baggage check-in and transit time to the airport
- Traveler influx based on capacity and schedule of a people mover that delivers passengers to the checkpoint
Applying varying contingencies to the data, the model simulated multiple iterations of a day’s traffic in a matter of seconds to determine how the checkpoint design would perform. Based on a high-volume day in a peak travel month, the fast-time simulation validated that the checkpoint’s size and design would typically deliver an exceptional level of service for travelers.
Location: Tampa, FL
Client: Tampa International Airport