San Diego International Airport - Research Paper Example

San Diego International Airport Green Project Contents 3 Introduction 4 About the San Diego International Airport GreenProject 5 Project Planning and Design 6 Economic Impacts of the San Diego International Airport Green Project 7 Environmental Impacts of the San Diego International Airport Green Project 9 Abstract The process of planning and designing airports to serve passengers and dynamic operational needs is challenging. Given the limitations in capital investment resources, it becomes cumbersome to develop facility designs that can provide the design flexibility to accommodate unanticipated operational requirements to fulfill safety and security measures, as well as, serve the needs of communities and passengers. This case study analyses the planning, design, environmental and economic impacts of the Green Project of San Diego International Airport. San Diego International Airport Green Project Introduction Airports are fundamental national resources because they serve a noteworthy role in transportation of goods and people (Ashford, Mumayiz, & Wright, 2011). Therefore, airports are important regional, national and international commerce. They create an avenue for the connection of a nation’s aviation system with other modes of transport. There is a need to carry out research to solve operating problems by adopting new technologies, and introduce innovation to the airport industry. When planning to implement a terminal improvement project, the terminal planning process should provide insights on potential issues and future trends that they affect the functionality of that terminal (Ashford, Mumayiz, & Wright, 2011). Significant changes in technology, airline operations and industry structure have occurred, creating the need for a balance of importance of certain planning factors for airport terminal buildings. These changes have occurred in cost effectiveness, passenger and baggage security, gate utilization to ensure low cost, and concessions (Brown, 2010). The airport and aviation industry is ever changing. This has led to the need for today’s airport buildings to be planned and constructed in ways that will safeguard flexibility for future modification at the list expense, while responding to variations in demand, the changing passenger needs, airlines and aircraft. Therefore, there has to be a flexible, balanced and visionary planning for airport terminals to ensure future flexibility (Brown, 2010). It should be noted that the creation of plans and designs of airports that provide superior services to travelers is difficult. Airport operational needs are extremely dynamic, creating more challenges in the planning and designing of sustainable airports (Brown, 2010). Additionally, in most cases, capital investment resources for expansion and construction of modern, efficient airports are limited. Therefore, development of airport facility designs which can provide the design flexibility and insure against unforeseen operational requirements for safety and security measures becomes burdensome. Flexible air designs should serve the needs of societies and travelers. In this case study, analysis of the planning, designing, environmental and economic impact of the Green Project of San Diego International Airport is done. About the San Diego International Airport Green Project San Diego International Airport Green Project is a sustainability project that started in July 2009 and was completed in August 2013. It is a terminal development and improvement program that replaced and expanded Terminal 2 of the Airport (Airport-technology, 2013). Currently, Terminal 2 is known as Green Build Terminal. The whole project was called the Green Build or the Green Project because of the Airport Authority’s commitment to sustainability and the environment, as well as, positive economic impact (San Diego International Airport, 2013). The expansion of Terminus 2 included addition of gates, reinforcement of security, reduction of traffic congestion, increase of revenue and conservation of the environment. Additional gates would help in improving security and access to the airport. The separation of the arriving passengers’ roadway and the departing passengers’ roadway would reduce congestion within the airport significantly (San Diego International Airport, 2013). Furthermore, the reconstruction of the terminus would allow aircraft not to use engines at the gates. This reduces emissions and saves on fuel. Reduced emissions reduce the effects of carbon in the environment, hence global warming is reduced. There are many achievements that have been acquired through the Green Build. Presently, there are ten new gates and a proficient security system. In addition, there is a luggage system that is modern, easier access to the airport and a shopping hub. Project Planning and Design The key requirement of San Diego International Airport was sustainability (Garrett, 2013). Therefore, a plan to achieve sustainability for the airport was developed. This plan sought to ensure that the airport was designed in such a way that efficiency and operational performance would improve significantly. The San Diego International Airport Green Project was a plan to construct ten new gates, construct a dual-level roadway and create additional aircraft parking. The project’s planning also included improvement of water piping systems so that water usage would be reduced. Furthermore, among the objectives of the Green Project objectives were the reduction of energy consumption and the use of alternative energy sources to boost environmental conservation. The planning of the San Diego International Airport Green Project ensured that careful considerations were made to ensure that each of the airport’s capabilities and resources is fully utilized to realize maximum efficiency (San Diego International Airport, 2013). The main mission of the San Diego International Airport Green Project was to reduce aircraft noise impact on the community. This was to be done through mitigation programs. The airport authority ensured that that the project complied with local state and federal regulations to maintain an environmentally viable airport. The planning and design of the project sought to protect the wide variety of natural resources that exist in San Diego and ensure full compliance with all environmental laws (San Diego International Airport, 2013). Other priorities that were set to be achieved by this project were the elimination of the need of planes to use engines while at the gates, construction of low emission infrastructure and the recycle of used oil from airport restaurants to convert it into biodiesel that trucks can use in making deliveries within the airport. Economic Impacts of the San Diego International Airport Green Project Sustainability is the main agenda that led to the initiation of the San Diego International Airport Green Project. This is an economic consideration that would guarantee the airport’s operational responsibility (Garrett, 2013). When there are efficient operations within the airport, the airport authority could achieve economic efficiency. As noted earlier, San Diego International Airport required sustainability (Garrett, 2013). Economic impacts of the San Diego International Airport Green Project arise from several activities. First, the additional retail and concessional vendors that were built would ensure that passengers purchase what they need while they are within the airport (San Diego International Airport, 2013). This increases revenue for the airport and contributes to its economic performance. Secondly, more security check points that have been constructed will ensure that both the passengers and their luggage are safe. Furthermore, the airport can be safeguarded against any vulnerability that may lead to loss of revenue. Third, the creation of more roadways helps to reduce front traffic congestion by separation of arriving and departing passengers. This increases the operational efficiency of the airport. Consequently, more people are likely to use the airport while performing their economic activities, and airport revenue will increase considerably. During the construction stage of the San Diego International Airport Green Project, more than one thousand jobs were created. Additionally, the San Diego International Airport Green Project created roles for seven thousand workers, as well as, local, small, disadvantaged and minority-owned businesses (PR Newswire, 2013). It was during the San Diego International Airport Green Project‘s construction period that contracts worth approximately four hundred and fifteen million dollars were awarded to local businesses, and out of this, one hundred and eighteen million dollars worth of contract value went to small businesses (PR Newswire, 2013). The creation of jobs and contract creation during construction contributed significantly to the economic welfare of the local area. The construction of concessions that were well planned to provide interesting and pleasing offerings to passengers would add to revenue generation for the airport (Brown, 2010). The security planning and checks that have been put in place will be able to respond to both specific threat and vulnerability levels, and routine screening process of passengers and baggage. The expansion and improvement of Terminus 2, which is now known as the Green Build Terminus has been achieved because the San Diego International Airport Authority has applied sustainability and demand management concepts (Brown, 2010). The innovative planning has led to the creation of spaces that maximize concessions’ revenues. Therefore, areas where passengers spend or are expected to spend significant periods of time such as food courts or retail nodes have been taken into consideration. Efficiency has been achieved in the Airport because there has been an expansion of con-courses to ensure free movement. These are the areas where travelers had to move quickly and purposefully to and from their gate and had limited time to make purchases (Brown, 2010). Airport revenues have increased significantly because passengers can make more purchases. This was acquired through the Green Build Terminus construction. The new, modern luggage system increases efficiency. The construction of new gates has made access to the airport easier. The shopping hub within the airport is of significant economic value. Finally, the installation of energy-efficient lighting has led to energy saving. This saved energy can be used for other purposes. Consequently, airport operational costs are reduced drastically. Environmental Impacts of the San Diego International Airport Green Project Airports pose a major impact on the surrounding area, if airport operations are not regulated. Therefore, the Airports pose a major impact on the surrounding area, if airport operations are not regulated. Therefore, the Airports pose a major impact on the surrounding area, if airport operations are not regulated. Therefore, the San Diego International Airport Green Project considered the key functional and operational drivers, including business considerations that affect the airport and its operators, as well as, the local community. This is the reason for the construction of the central utility plant, and the use renewable energy sources, as well as, energy source reductions (San Diego International Airport, 2013). The expansion of airport operations has created jobs and improved passengers, experience. The environmentally friendly design of the San Diego International Airport Green Project to cut operations costs have led to environmental conservation. The airport uses recycled materials, which reduces environmental degradation (San Diego International Airport, 2013). There have been efforts to lower water usage and conserve energy. These efforts fall under the airport’s environmental responsibility. The construction committee of the Green Project adopted a sustainability policy to enhance the airport’s commitment to a continuous improvement of the Airport’s environmental performance (San Diego International Airport, 2013). The installation of energy-efficient lighting has led to energy conservation. The energy that has been saved using energy-efficient lighting can be used elsewhere or for other purposes, hence conserving the environment. Recycling of waste by the Green Project saved on landfill. Furthermore, the Project recycled and used construction waste was used. The use of solar panels conserves the environment because solar is a renewable source of energy. Additionally, the project allows natural light to flow into the new terminus using reflective glass that keeps the heat or air conditioning inside the building (San Diego International Airport, 2013). When natural light is bright, the lighting systems turn down automatically, leading to energy conservation. Consequently, the environment is conserved. The airport’s exterior walls are insulated to reduce heat and the demand for air conditioning. The use of more efficient electric motors and low emission infrastructure reduces carbon emissions (San Diego International Airport, 2013). The airport, through the green project recycles used oil from airport restaurants and converts it into biodiesel, which delivery trucks use as fuel. This reduces the negative impact of such waste on the environment, if it was to be disposed (San Diego International Airport, 2013). The project sought to promote environmental conservation by reducing pollution. Reduction of aircraft noise impact on the community was the main mission of the project. This has been done through mitigation programs. The airport authority ensures that compliance with local state and federal regulations is observed to conserve the environment (San Diego International Airport, 2013). Finally, the airport, handles hazardous materials with extreme precaution to conserve water and air quality. References Airport-technology. (2013, August). Green Build Terminal, San Diego International Airport, United States of America. Retrieved from http://www.airport-technology.com/projects/green-build-terminal-san-diego-international-airport/ Ashford, N. J., Mumayiz, S. A., & Wright, P. H. (2011). Airport Engineering: Planning, Design and Development of 21st Century Airports. Hoboken: Wiley and Sons Press. Brown, L. &. (2010). Airport Passenger Terminal Planning and Design: Guidebook. Washington, D.C: Transportation Research Board Press. Garrett, R. (2013, August 29). San Diego International Airport’s “It” Factor. Retrieved from http://www.aviationpros.com/article/11080911/san-diego-international-airport-gets-new-terminal-sustainable-building-leed-certification PR Newswire. (2013, August 13). Historic $900 Million Green Build Expansion Opens at San Diego International Airport. Retrieved from http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/historic-900-million-green-build-expansion-opens-at-san-diego-international-airport-219401401.html San Diego International Airport. (2013). Airport Projects . Retrieved from http://www.san.org/sdcraa/airport_initiatives/ San Diego International Airport. (2013, August 6). San Diego International Airport Hosts Behind-the -Scenes Tour of the Green Build. Retrieved from http://www.san.org/documents/pressreleases/2013//08-06- Transportation Research Board. (2011). Passenger Level of Service and Spatial Planning for Airport Terminals. Washington, D.C: Transportation Research Board Press. Read More