What is a data driven airport?

There's lots of talk these days about the "data driven airport", so we thought we'd bring together some resources that tells the story...

It’s all about the data

The more devices passengers carry, the more opportunities airports have to capture their data and put it to good use, improving operations or the passenger experience or both. Five out of seven data sources have become priorities for airport investment, according to the Airport IT Trends Survey:
aircraft movement, business transactions, passengers, baggage operations and resource management... [read the full article on Air Transport IT Review].

Denver's Data Driven Airport

Denver International Airport is mid-way through a five-year strategic program that’s harnessing intelligence and data analytics to improve performance. Robert Kastelitz, Denver’s Senior Vice-President of Technologies and CIO, talks about the airport’s digital strategy... [read the full article on Air Transport IT Review].

It’s in the design – Master System Integration (at Baku, Dublin, Livingstone and São Paulo airports)

With terminal and airport construction booming, it's vital to think about technology at the outset. Enter master system integration, as deployed at Brazil's São Paulo's Guarulhos (GRU) Airport, Livingstone's Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport (Zambia) and the airports of Azerbaijan-Baku and Dublin... [read the full article on Air Transport IT Review].


Related resources
Data-Driven Screening Accelerates Airport Security - Max Skalatsky on LinkedIn
Data-driven Insights and Understanding Take Flight at Sea-Tac Airport - Tableau Software (YouTube)
A Big Data Driven Model for Taxi Drivers’ Airport Pick-up Decisions in New York City - Research Gate

More from our blog
Brexit and the impact on travel: news stories - IHateTaxis blog
Why we shelved Uber updates - IHateTaxis blog
Ray the Parking Robot Valet (at Dusseldorf Airport) - IHateTaxis blog
Heathrow's Slick New Transport Screens - IHateTaxis blog

Denver Airport train glitches

Flaggers out at 10 Denver Airport Train grade-level crossings

After the excitement last month with the opening of the new Denver Airport train, problems on the ground at the line's at-grade crossings are causing delays.

While most modern airport trains are elevated or run as underground subways, the Denver Airport authority decided to build their new line at-grade, presumably for financial reasons.

While the community benefits from infrastructure that is more pleasing to the eye (save the underground option), non-elevated trains pose significant risks. While no-one can prevent a determined soul who wants to go beyond barriers to the tracks, most of the risk is mitigated through automated crossing gates.

That is only true, of course, if those gates operate without a glitch. This week, however, issues began to arise when some gates had not fully closed by the time passing trains came by. Yikes.

As a result, while the trains are still running, each of the 10 at-grade crossings on the line are being staffed with flaggers until the situation is figured out.

It has now been revealed that staff tried to delay the train's opening, due to computer problems. This week, it seems officials are wishing they had listened.

Related resources
Denver airport train faces safety concerns amid crossing gate glitches - The Denver Post
RTD responds to critics' concern over safety of DIA train - Biz Journals
RTD ordered to staff 10 train crossings along Denver International Airport train line - The Denver Channel
New Denver Airport train
Denver International Airport (DEN) transportation guide
Denver Layover Ideas and Things to Do in Denver

New Denver Airport train

Train service to Denver Airport begins at Denver's Union Station

After much anticipation, Denver International Airport's new rail link to the city centre has opened for service.

Operating between a station at the south end of the airport terminal (below the brand new Westin Hotel, via the longest escalator ride in the state) to Union Station in central Denver, the sleek electric train ride takes 37 minutes to cover the 37 kilometre distance.

Onboard, passengers can charge their electronic devices while relaxing during the ride. Trains will run between 4:00am and 1:30am, with service every 15 minutes, and stops at 8 stations. Cars have ample room for luggage.

The adult fare is USD 9. No word yet on discounts for airport staff and commuters.

The Denver Airport train is part of the Denver metro system's Line A (officially, the "University of Colorado A Line").

Related resources
Denver Airport Line opens - Railway Gazette
Denver's new airport train starts service - USA Today
New Tehran Mehrabad Airport metro link
Price slash on Toronto's UPExpress airport train
Denver International Airport (DEN) transportation guide
Denver Layover Ideas and Things to Do in Denver