Flexible Use of End-Around Taxiways to Reduce Risk and Improve the Efficiency of Airport Operations

Abstract

This paper presents an assessment method for determining the activation threshold of airport end-around taxiways (EAT). The study commences with a comparative analysis of runway and EAT structures at various airports, examining their commonalities. Critical performance indicators essential for evaluating field operational efficiency are analyzed. Subsequently, the operational activities at Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport in China are simulated using actual flight plans, and the distribution of additional taxi-in time across various operational modes is scrutinized, considering the interplay between arrival and departure traffic and its impact on operational efficiency. Moreover, a method for determining conflict-free runway crossings within the mixed operational mode is introduced. Comparative analyses are then performed for additional taxi-in time, taxi time, taxi distance, and taxi speed among arrivals in different modes. The findings reveal that, when adopting a single operational mode, the mixed mode exhibits a reduction of 47 s in average taxi time compared with the taxi-around mode. Furthermore, the average taxiing speed is enhanced by 4.2 knots relative to the runway crossing mode, signifying an overall improvement in operational efficiency and congestion relief. Finally, in light of the correlation between the additional taxi-in time across the three modes and departure traffic, a threshold of 23 departures per hour is proposed. Beyond this threshold, the mixed mode is recommended, with the crossing mode utilized below the threshold, further enhancing operational efficiency.