The Allegheny County Airport Authority is looking into replacing its conventional shuttle bus fleet with autonomous vehicles that would carry passengers from parking lots and other areas to the Pittsburgh International Airport’s new landside terminal.
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is accepting public comment on a detailed analysis of the concept, which could take the form of a public-private partnership. The public comment period is open through April 14.
Bob Kerlick, the airport authority’s public affairs director, said the analysis, which can be accessed here, is just the first step toward exploring the option of using fully automated vehicles that could accommodate 16 to 22 passengers in place of existing shuttle buses.
“It’s not something we’re definitely going to do,” he said. “It’s something we’re exploring. There are a lot of steps to take before we can even determine if we can move forward.”
The new fully automated vehicles would roll on exclusive-use guideways that would include multiple stops throughout the airport property. According to the analysis, the AV shuttle system is expected to make it easier for airport passengers to move between remote parking, the hotel district, the parking garage and the terminal, providing faster trip times and shorter waiting times. The zero-emissions system also would provide scheduled and on-demand operations, and 24/7 all-weather service.
“This constitutes a fundamental modernization of (the airport’s) internal circulation system and supports ongoing objectives for improved technology and elevated customer experience,” according to the analysis.
The analysis notes that the AV shuttle system would be a “high-frequency” operation; Kerlick said that the existing system utilizes multiple continuously running shuttles with a maximum wait time of 10 minutes.
“Many times it’s less,” he said.
The existing buses serve the terminal garage, the terminal parking lot – both of which are walkable – and the long-term parking lot.
The AVs used in the system would accommodate 12 passengers with checked luggage, 16 passengers with carry-on luggage and up to 22 passengers in no-luggage scenarios.
The vehicles would be designed to run continuously with smooth boarding and flexible interior configurations, the analysis states.
The conversion from the existing shuttle system to the AV system would result in an east-west dedicated corridor connecting long-term public parking to the new landside terminal via a sequence of stations. One scenario would have the route begin at the long-term parking lot, progress past the Hyatt Hotel area, interface with the new parking garage and end at the new terminal. ADA-compliant stations would be located at each of those places.
Magnets would be used to guide the vehicles along the corridor. A new bridge structure would provide elevated access into the terminal area.
Under a public-private partnership scenario, the airport authority would make payments over the life of the system. The payments are intended to recover the private partner’s up-front capital investment, fund ongoing maintenance and operations expenses and pick up the tab for routine capital expenses such as replacing the AV fleet. Construction costs are estimated at $62 million, with the autonomous vehicle costs accounting for $32 million of that.
Each AV’s body and frame are expected to last 20 years but some of the cars’ mechanical components, such as batteries, HVAC units and door systems, are estimated to last 12 years. The magnetic guideway components are expected to have a longer lifespan.
Preliminary financial models using a 25-year amortization term have the airport authority paying its partner $11.1 million in year one. Under 20- and 30-year amortization periods, the payments would be $11.4 million or $10.8 million, respectively.
According to the analysis, it now costs the airport authority $11.8 million a year to operate the existing shuttle fleet. Assuming an inflation rate of 2%, the project is anticipated to save the airport authority money the first year the automated system begins to operate “and increase cost efficiency throughout the duration of the term.”
The analysis that’s open for public comment also examines social impacts connected with the potential project and notes that it would create the first of what may be many opportunities for training and upskilling the airport’s workforce in electric vehicle systems, automation monitoring, data analysis and lifecycle asset management.
“The opportunities align with regional workforce objectives and support (the airport authority’s) commitment to innovation,” the analysis states.
The project is expected to stimulate job creation while the system is being built and throughout its life cycle.
The analysis also states that the AV shuttle system would serve as an early investment that supports the long-term vision for the airport town center as a “community oriented and accessible destination.”
The study notes that future redevelopment of the former landside terminal will likely include a mix of new office and amenity space and that many acres of low-intensity surface parking to the west of the former terminal “represents a significant long-term development opportunity to retrofit underutilized land for higher-value mixed-use development and potentially generate meaningful economic benefits.”
“By establishing the (AV) shuttle as a spine through the heart of the redevelopment area, the project positions the town center as a more inclusive and connected district for travelers, employees and other stakeholders,” the analysis states. “As the town center evolves into a mixed-use, more pedestrian-friendly environment, an electric AV shuttle system reinforces human-scale design to improve safety and reduce conflicts with traditional vehicle traffic.”
Autonomous vehicles already have been utilized at the airport as part of its xBridge Innovation Center program – a program that allows established and startup tech companies to use the airport as a test bed for the latest technology. Last year, an entity known as Oceaneering tested autonomous vehicles that would be similar to the ones envisioned in the analysis.
Oceaneering, a global technology company, tested its automated vehicles as part of the Allegheny County Airport Authority’s xBridge Innovation Center program. The airport is looking into the idea of replacing its existing shuttle fleet with autonomous vehicles to bring passengers from parking and lodging areas to the airport’s new landside terminal. (Photo courtesy of Oceaneering)
The analysis stated that the public-private partnership approach offers the best pathway by integrating design, construction, technology, operations and lifecycle maintenance under a single partner.
Kerlick said if PennDOT approves the idea of a public-private partnership, the airport could ask private companies to submit proposals on how such a system would work best for the airport.
The fact that Oceaneering had a chance to test its AVs at the airport last year doesn’t guarantee the airport authority would select it as its partner in the project, Kerlick said.
“We could,” he said. “But they’d need to apply through the (request for proposals) process like anyone else. But we’re not there yet.”
The analysis states that if PennDOT officials approve the public-private partnership concept, the project’s scope, delivery structure and risk allocation would be further refined to make sure the approach meets the airport authority’s needs and market conditions.
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