Transforming Transportation at Philadelphia International Airport

Transforming the Transportation Experience
Philadelphia International Airport Regional Rail

Robert B. Castellucci

A Thesis Capstone Project in Partial Fulﬁllment of the Requirements
For the Degree Bachelor of Landscape Architecture

School of Architecture
Department of Landscape Architecture
Philadelphia University

May 2010

Abstract
In many major cities mass transportation is an essential part of people’s commute. The R1 is Philadel-
phia’s line that can take passengers from Center City to the airport, as well as from the airport to all three major
stops. It can also take passengers to many small suburbs of Philadelphia. Along the train station
corridors, people have created an iconic environment through dumping trash and creating graffitii art. Along
with this, the factories that line the route have become very run down. In 2003, Philadelphia International Air-
port constructed two new terminals, which left the train stations outdated. This caused problems with
passenger circulation to the new terminals from the A East and terminal E. Eastwick, the station that is
located prior to the airport campus, is also in similar condition and it needs updating.

Through the redevelopment of the Transformation of Transportation at Philadelphia International
Airport, issues with circulation, aesthetics and views throughout the airport campus will be solved. Adding a
new station at A West will help passengers get to and from their terminals much faster and easier. As well as
adding a new station at A West there will be a new connection to terminal F, the connection will be a boulavard
type path that gives passengers access to both first floor and the second floor through the short term parking
bridge. The rest of the stations will also be redeveloped to unify the design. Included in this redevelopment is
Eastwick, which is located prior to the airport, will be updated to service the airport employees that are coming
from either the office building or the employee lot. The station is also located along a residential area, which is
another target to use this station. The station needs a lot of updating, from new signage to new platforms. To
intice people to use this station, there will be additional commercial vendors.

Through the development of the Airport stations, as well as Eastwick, it will inspire people to start to
extend this revitilization all the way up the corridor to Center City. Through improving the issues this will help
improve the image of the city through improving the issues that the city of Philadelphia neglects.

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Table of Contents
1.0 Introduction 4 6.0 Redevelopment of the Transportation Experience 18
1.1 Problem Statement 6.1 Program and Concept Development- Eastwick Station
1.2 Conceptual Goals 6.2 Program and Concept Development- Philadelphia Inernational
1.3 Possible Constraints Airport
1.4 Possible Opportunities 7.0 Transforming the Transportation Experience Results 19
1.5 Research Topics 8.0 Materials Used in Design 28
2.0 Transforming the Transportation Experience 5 9.0 Transforming Transportation Conclusions 30
2.1 Literature Review 10.0 References2 31
2.2 Mass Transit vs. Traditional Cars
2.3 Transit Stations: Connecting Places
2.4 Airport Terminals
3.0 Case Studies 8
3.1 Paris, France
3.2 Portland, Oregon
3.3 Chicago, Illinois
4.0 Guidlines and Design Criteria for Design Implemention 11
4.1 Guidlines for Design
4.2 Design Criteria
5.0 Connecting Eastwick to Philadelphia International Airport 12
5.1 Site Selection
5.2 Existing Conditions
5.3 Site Inventory and Analysis- Eastwick Station
5.4 Site Inventory and Analysis- Philadelphia International Airport
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1.0 Introduction
1.1 Description: 1.4 Possible Opportunities:
PHL has transit stops for the R1 for terminals A East through terminal E. In recent years, they have added two While talking with my supervisors from my summer internship with PHL, they expressed interest in the
more terminals to the airport’s campus. Since then, they have not yet included new train stops to those new terminals. possibility of gaining my results for my project. In turn, they would like to have it on ﬁle to have for future
This project would develop a new transit stop to terminals A West and terminal F. Included in developing a new stop reference in case of an opportunity for the renovation of the train stations.
for terminals A West and F, it would redevelop a combined design for the existing stops to mimic the design of the
transit corridor as a whole. As well as the transit corridor at PHL, there is the Eastwick station just before PHL that
could be redeveloped to act as a extended corridor to create a combined design. 1.5 Research Topics:

1. Rules and Regulations for train stations
1.2 Conceptual Goals: 2. Program for train station platforms
3. How often do the trains need to run
In doing this project, I hope to learn how I might be able to design a transit corridor that not only combines the 4. Where are the best places to put entrances to station
design as a whole, but also creates a cohesive way to get passengers to and from the terminals.

The main objective of this project is to develop a new train stop for both terminals A West and F, as well as to
develop a connection from Eastwick Station that creates a gateway into the Airport. Another objective is to create a
better connection to the terminals for passengers to get to and from the stations.

1.3 Possible Constraints:

The main possible constraint to the project is getting “as built” drawings, and some of the GIS shapeﬁles that
I may need for my design. I will need to have those released from PHL to either the school or my thesis advisor, Jim
Querry. Another possible constraint is that I will not have security clearance to be able to take any ground photography.
I would need to work with Sam Console, GIS Manager of the Planning Department at PHL.

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2.0 Transforming the Transportation Experience
2.1 Literature Review commencement and en route. The information that informs the traveler about the ground transportation that is
provided is given at the time of planning to inform the traveler when they purchase the ticket, since they do this at
As air transport grows, secondary transportation needs to be reevaluated. A simple yet undesired solution would be least a few days if not earlier than the time they fly. This can encourage the traveler to use the transit system rather
to expand streets, highways and enlarge parking lots to relieve the increased congestion. Airport authorities have a than a car since they know that it is available to them. The information at the time of commencement would be to
limited amount of space to expand and their priority is airport facilities vs. Parking lots. Not only are airports running inform the traveler would be to inform the traveler of any changes in travel to the airport. This could include things
low on space for additional parking lots but there is the added pedestrian congestion in the as in the terminals transfer such as accidents, changes in flight information or delays. This information can now give the traveler the proper
from the airport to the roads as well. And the bigger the airport only means that the more congestion will occur. information to encourage them to then take a train to the airport rather than drive to the airport. Finally there is the
en route information, this deals with the information that pertains to specific details such as gate information and
Mass Transit is one solution to these multiple airports issue. It provides the same services as taxis and busses but it other information such as platform or departure times.
provides a more efficient and space saving environment. Hopefully for the larger airports the use of mass transit will
increase by at least 50 percent, stated by the BAA for airports in the UK. Airports that have transit stations that service In some cases the airport could have sources of alternative transportation, but either lack of information given or
individual terminals for passengers should be promote the usage of the mass transit as the main source of transportation they give the information to the public but in the format that is not always the easiest to access. Like New York and
to and from the airport. This also can include the cooperation between the airport operations and railroad operations. New Jersey they both provide their users with alliterative sources of transportation. Some even give the passengers
This includes the baggage handling and how they work together to meet the needs of the passenger. So some of the the exact schedule of every train that will arrive at the airport. But in some cases they will exclude information
larger airports can be overcrowded so that the use of streets and even through the terminals, so the use of interior as well, such as the information on whether or not the passenger will need to make a transfer before their final
railways have been proposed to answer the issues of the overcrowded airports. destination.

Airport Transit Information The Emerging Rail Technology is the concept of incorporating new technology to address the issue of the storage
Airports have taken steps toward improving the connection of the way people get to the airport as well as how they of baggage. As of now many of the systems that are being used do not accommodate the passengers need to
get home. There have been some new developments that have been created to improve these connections: Advanced have a place to put baggage. This concept brings in the necessary technology to bring the accommodations to the
Traveler Information Services (ATIS) passenger so that they can easily get to and from the airport with as little hassle as possible.
• Technology for Ride Matching
• Alternative Strategies for Off-site check-in.
The use of the ATIS services defines three different types of information at the time of planning, at the time of

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2.2 Mass Transit vs. Traditional Cars
The use of nodes can be useful in developing areas of concentration, such as areas of activity. Airports,
Due to the fact that there is an increase in cars than before we have determined that the road system m that is in
roads, outlets and public transport interchanges tend to be centralized around these nodes. This can help explain
place now is not the right size that it needs to be to support the need of today’s society. Average travel times have
what is going on with the train station and it’s relationship to the area that surrounds the train station. There are
increased to approximately 22-26 minutes in recent decades. In connection to the increase in travel times the amount
four approaches to the relationship to the surrounding area to the train station, in other words could be called the
of commuters has risen as well, the number has increased to 13 to 15 percent of the United States total. These numbers
“walkable radius” to the station.
reflect the population that has a commuting time of at least 45 minutes. This is estimated to have some kind of negative
impact on the economy. The more people start to use public transportation the more money that goes into the local
• Walkable radius- is the circular area radiating from the railroad station that is considered to be the Walkable
industry. Although commute time has increased the use of public transportation can increase the ease and cost of travel.
distance. For example the five and ten minute walking circles.
This could also help the congestion of roadways as well as the arrivals and departure roads. By encouraging people to
• Functional-historical elements- the area is here considered to be equal to the sum of the functional elements
take the transit system this can create a better and more efficient way of getting to and from the airport.
having a strong evident connecting station and city centre, or industrial and distribution facilities with a
direct connection to the station. Topographic From this point of view the railway station area is the surface
There are places where the transit system does seem to work, the places seem to reflect where people are more
included within an arbitrary section of the map.
dependent on it for economical reasons. People who are not able to afford a car have been a reason for the success
for transportation. Although they have been trying to get the people that are less dependent people in hopes to gain a
The railway station tends to connect to another transportation system, such as airports.
wider array of customers. The one reason why the buses fail to bring the more “transit dependent” people on the bus is
Yet the connection between the two tend to be fragmented. They tend to not have the same management, but they
because of the fact that they share the congested roads.
both coexist.

2.3 Transit Stations: Connecting Places 2.4 Airport Terminals:

Transit stations can help a community in many different factors, such as promoting sustainable use of As times change so do the way that we travel. The design of airports have made a step towards making it
transportation as well as land use as well as the stimulation of local economy and to start technological and institutional more enjoyable for people while they wait for their plane. They are now incorporating retail shops in terminals
change. In Europe the restructuring of the transit services has also helped in the changes in urban development. The so that people can spend the “drab space” shopping (Sunderland). They have realized that there is a potential in
transit systems that have been developed have become major factors on urban restructuring. adding retail to the terminal. In past years the idea for airport design was get people from their transportation to
the airport and on the plane as quickly as possible. Travelers were encouraged to move quickly to their gates with
The railway can be considered as “nodes” as well as series of “networks”. These can be defined as: little to no distractions in the path to the gate. The materials that are used in the airport are also chosen to make the
pedestrian traffic more efficient by using grey on grey finishes, florescent lighting and tile ceiling.
• a fabric or structure of cords and wires that cross at regular intervals and are knotted or secured at the crossings.
• A system of lines or channels resembling a network. Airports now have changed the attitude that they wanted the traveler to just go straight to the gate and on the plane.
• An interconnected or interrelated chain, group, or system (as in a network of hotels). By adding these retail stores and other attractions they are trying to change the stressful environment that the airport

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used to be to a more relaxing and enjoyable experience. Airports have taken the design of these attractions by using the
city that it is located in as means of inspiration.(Sunderland)

They have also taken into account that there are two main types of airport customers. There is the people
that are in a hurry, and the ones that have given themselves more time to get to the airport and have time to relax.
This means that they have taken speciﬁc ideas such as designing stores like streets in the city that it is located. They
emphasize the layout of the airport to serve the costumer. For the customers in a hurry they use wide corridors and
emphasize the use of wall space for products. Another helpful tool is the use of self-serve operated sales to increase
impulse buying.(Sunderland)

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3.0 Precedent Studies

3.1 Paris, France
Charles de Gaulle International Airport
Charles de Gaulle was one of the first airports to have an integrated rail system in Europe. The system that they
use is called the RER rapid TGV train, it reaches center city Paris in approximately 45 minutes, Lille and Brussels in an
hour. They also provide other ground transportation such as the RATP buses, limousines and taxis. The RER has two
separate trains CDG 1 and CDG 2, the first train services terminals 1 and 3 and the second one services terminal 2 and
TGV Train. They have a free airport shuttle that can be taken from any terminal to either of the RER stations. Before
getting on the CDGVAL which is the airport shuttle travelers can buy their train tickets. These tickets can also be used
for both the RER and the Metro that people can take to their final destination in Paris. The RER consists of five express
commuter trains. These different lines have been considered to be more difficult to travel than that of the metro in the
city limits. This is due to the fact that they disperse into different lines. The line that services CDG airport is Line B.
The station Gare du Nord is the first to depart Paris in route to the airport.

Summary Assessment: RER For Philadelphia International Airport
The RER is a very good way in which Paris travelers get to and from the airport. A key part of this system is
the fact that they provide a clear way to get from the RER to and from the terminals. It drops travelers off at each of
the different terminals at the airport, although travelers need to be aware of which train goes where to be certain it goes
to the right terminal. It also gives the rider the option to buy their tickets to get to the airport and the city in one place.
If the person needs to take the RER to the Metro they can buy both tickets at the beginning of the trip.
Philadelphia International Airport is now in a situation where the travelers that are trying to make their flights at
both terminals a and F have to walk through other terminals to get to theirs. They need to come up with new stations to
connect the travelers to their final gate. Also the way that CDG offers ticket sales in their stations could be offered as
an option for people going into the city. To take that one step further, they could also introduce an advanced check in at
the stations so that it may cut down on crowded lines inside the airport. Philadelphia has a lack of connection to the rail
system, it runs through and delivers people to certain terminals but leaves the traveler to find out where they need to go
by themselves.

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3.2 Portland, Oregon
Port of Portland, Portland Oregon International Airport
Portland has a very long and extensive history, it has gone from horse drawn to a new TriMet system that they currently
are using and expanding. A recent project is one in which provides the city of a very essential service of transportation to the
airport. It is called the Airport Max Red Line Project. It started May 1999, running a total distance of five and a half miles
with a grand total of four stops along the way. The final construction date for the project was on September 10, 2001. There
are two key stops that occur along the airport line, the Oregon Convention Center and the Portland City Center. The TriMet
system is the first rail system to provide transportation to the airport via rail service on the west coast. It also used the existing
transit right of way along Interstate 205 therefore not taking up any new land which could be used for other purposes.(23) The
airport Max was designed to use the same tracks as the Max blue line, which has also increased the use of the system as well as
increase the headways to 5 to 7 minutes. It was originally thought to be a very convenient attribute but was put to the side due
to an extensive expansion done on the airport. They finally sited the station on the south end of the airport. This provided the
travelers access to and from the baggage claim area. This also gives the station the claim of being the most convenient station
of any airport.(24
The station was also sited so that if the airport were to want to add any new terminals to the existing campus they could
re-site the station. It is situated in an existing right of way and is a one track system into the airport but can switch to a two lane
track without cross over tracks at the two track station. This was a temporary system which has become a widely used system to
get to and from the airport. The platform widens at the terminal doors but is wedged at the end to accommodate the tracks.(24)

Summary Assessment: A new look for Philadelphia
The way that the TriMet has taken ways in which they can build a system through means of existing corridors. They
have taken ideas in which to create a system that can work in order to make the trip to the airport like a corridor. They have also
taken into account the way that the passenger enters the airport. The location is very important and where they want to go is
another key aspect. Another thing is that they have added two main stations.
Philadelphia could use these ideas in many different ways and in a way have started using them already. The train
already stops at two main stations, 30th street station which many people come through from various places, even out of state
people. But the main station that needs to be re-done is the station right before the airport because it is for the airport offices off
the main campus. This could be used as the gateway into the airport as a uniformed design to connect the entire corridor to the
airport. The ideas that have been used also can start to inform a way in which we can start to educate people on one of many
ways we can make transportation more sustainable and efficient. 9

3.3 Chicago, Illinois
Chicago Midway International Airport

Chicago has two major airports, one is Midway and they other is O’Hare International. They both have access
to them through transit stations, as well as there is a route for passengers to take a train from one airport to the other.
The Chicago Transit Authority runs two lines that run to either with a connecting station that passengers can use to take
to the other. Not only does Midway have a connection to each airport they have found a successful way in which to
use way finding to help the costumer find their way to and from the transit station at the airport. They have multiple
overhead signage to help the passenger find their way to the station. The transit station also includes signage that tells
passengers the status and gate of all flights. As an added convenience to passengers the station includes ticket machines
in order to buy the ticket before they get on the train.

Summery Assessment: Integrated Signage Systems
Midway has taken a system that they can connect two airports together, but they have also taken a system that
they can use to help the passengers get to their terminal as well as get home as easy as possible. The use of signage to
give people direction to where they need to go and information on where things can be found is very important to both
the airport as well as the transit system, this helps incorporate a unified system to bring people to and from their homes
to the airport and vise versa. The signs that tell the passenger where to go and what the status of the flight is can help
in less congestion around arrivals and departure signs inside the airport. This can also cut down on confusion on where
they need to be and also making it easier for people and cut down on people missing flights due to time spent on finding
their way to the gate and or transit stations.
Philadelphia and Eastwick could benefit from these systems because the signage as well as ticket machines to
help people by making the trip more efficient. The stations now do not have anything to inform the passengers of when
the train is arriving or what the status of the train is, much like Market East Station has signage that tells if the train is
late and what track it will arrive. The stations at the airport need to integrate a system that will tell the travelers what
the timing of the train from station to station to help inform the travelers of wait times. They also could use the system
to tell travelers of when and where their gates are located so that they can be sure of how long that they have from the
time that they leave the platform to the time that they need to board the plane.

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4.0 Guidelines and Design Criteria for Design Implementation

4.1 Guidelines for Design 4.2 Design Criteria
• Way-finding
The main idea for this project is to develop a design for Terminal A and a connection to Terminal F and develop • Flight Status signage
a unified design for the existing terminal stations. The goal for the project is to develop a more unified design as well • Train Status signage
as develop new systems to improve the way that people get to and from the stations to the terminals. In developing • Passenger Comfort
the terminal stations, another goal is to develop Eastwick station to become a gateway into the airport. Eastwick is the • Unity of platforms
station that the R1 stops before entering the airport campus. It also serves other lines such as the R2 which takes you to • Use of landscape
Wilmington. • Water Management
The Eastwick station is going to be a place where most of the traffic will consist of pedestrian traffic. The main • Sustainability
users of this site is going to be residential, airport employees and travelers to and from hotels. The main goal for this • Solar Power
station is to redevelop it to look more inviting as well as to create a destination for the users to take advantage of such • Green Roof
things as concession stands or shopping.
This project should take into account many different types of ideas to help inform how the new stations will
work as well as how the existing will incorporate the new ideas. The use of other ideas that airports have done in the
past as well as recently, such as the use of different types of signage to show where passengers need to go.
These are just some of the things that should be addressed in the design so that it will make the stations work
as a unified system. They should include the same ideas that come from the design of the new stations. The system as
of now has the same type of architecture and layout. This project needs to have a coherence to help the passengers get
from the station to the terminal in a more efficient way than they have set up as of now.
In doing the case studies from other airports it has informed some decisions that might need to be addressed
that have not been as of now. Such as how the design works with all areas of how an airport is laid out and how the
passenger experiences the trip as well as making it a more efficient system. There are many different things that need
to be addressed and it needs to work together, the idea of redeveloping this place is to create a destination.

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5.0 Connecting Eastwick to Philadelphia
International Airport
5.1 Site Selection

The R1 train runs from all center city stops and university city. After leaving the city the only stop that the R1
makes is at Eastwick Station. This station accommodates people that either live in the neighborhood that is located to
the North west of the station and the Philadelphia International Airport employees. Located south of Eastwick is a cell
phone lot where people can go to wait for their pick up as well as an employee lot. For people that are coming to the
city of Philadelphia they have hotels and commercial spaces to the south of the station as well.

The airport itself currently holds ﬁve train stations that service the terminals. The ﬁrst stop starts at terminal A
East. The station platforms are long and the passenger can go from one side of the platform at terminal A and walk to
terminal B. The same goes for terminals C and d. In 2003 terminals A west and F were added. A west is
Philadelphia’s new international terminal. Terminal F is the express plane terminal.

5.2 Existing Conditions

Eastwick is a small station that has little to no amenities for the passengers to use. It is a handicap accessible
station on both north and southbound tracks. The station also provides the passenger with a shelter. The shelters that
are provided are simple they are the typical bus stop enclosure. The station is built out of wood and looks very much
like that of a boardwalk. On the southbound side there is a culdesac where people can pick up and drop people off at
the station. The do not provide the passengers with any opportunities to park their cars. Along the edges of the
pavement there are issues with stormwater and causes stagnant water.

At the airport there are stations at all terminals except for A west and F. The train runs between the terminals to
the east and baggage claim and parking structure. The airport campus as a whole is a very dominant concrete structure.
There is some green space at the end of the terminals at terminal F. The space that they provide as green space is very
hard to access due to the circulation of vehicles. The airport has small 15 by 15 spaces for people to bring their dogs
along both the departures road and taxi lane. The departures road is located along the east side of the tracks and the
taxi lane is located to the west side of the track.

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5.3 Site Inventory & Analysis- Eastwick Station
Eastwick station is very limited to the space that can be developed but it has many opportunities
to improve what can be improved. There are many things that need to be replaced, such as the
stations automated scheduling sign needs to be replaced. The culesac is about the right size to be able
to put in a parking lot to provide for passenger parking. The side to the west where the residential
areas are there is a strip of angled parking for people that are coming from more than walking distance
from the station and handicapped accessible ramps are provided.

To get from one side of the platform to the other there is a break in the fence to allow people to
get to the other side. There is not enough room between the road and the road to install any kind of
bridge or tunnel structure. This could cause issues of people walking through the tracks and possibly
walking into a oncoming train. There should be a system installed to provide the passenger a warning
that there is a train coming and to stay off the tracks. Also in an attempt to keep people off the track
there could be a system like that of a road crossing where a barrier could be swung down and block
the passage to keep people off the track.

To bring people to the station and possibly people that are coming from the hotels there is an
opportunity to provide a commercial vendor areas. There is a space between the road and the platform
on the west side where it could be regraded and install a small civic space. There could be a vendor
for coffee and some small food vending.

On the east side where the culdasac is located there is an opportunity to use vegetated rain
gardens to ﬁx the issues of stormwater becoming stagnant. The site is naturally sloped towards the
station. The most ideal place to put them would be in front of the station and on both sides of the
sidewalk to capture the water coming from the lawn area and to capture the water that will be coming
off of the parking lot.

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Inventory Taken of All Planter beds or Planting Structures in the Project Area

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Inventory Taken of All Surface Coverages Other Than Concrete or Asphalt

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5.4 Site Inventory and Analysis- Philadelphia International Airport

The train splits off of the tracks that it takes from center city and bridges over interstate 95 and circles around
to enter the terminals at A west. As the train comes into the stations at the airport the train passes by the John Heinz
Wildlife Preserve which provides the passenger a great view of the natural wetlands and forest that gives a perspective
of what the site used to be before the development of the area. As the train passes over the bridge passengers get a clear
unobstructed view of center city. The international terminal which is one of Philadelphia International Airports newest
terminals is a 2 story terminal. The second story overhangs over the departure and train tracks. There is a parking lot
to the west of the tracks under the second story. Once past the international terminal the train passes under two
terminal bridges that takes passengers from the security checkpoints and check in desks to the baggage claim. Terminal
A and B have a combined platform so that the entire 3-4 car train can stop and let passengers off at one point.
Terminals C and d are the same, the platform extends the length between the terminal C bridge to the terminal d bridge.
Once you get to terminal E which now services terminals E and F is half the size of the other stations. This is
problematic because it forces the passenger who is going to terminal F to go up and over the terminal e bridge and then
over to terminal F. The general passenger circulation if very poor and signage is just as much a problem. The signage
for the passengers is limited and only appears where the doors to the platforms are.

The views of center city as well as the view of John Heinz Wildlife Preserve are two major views that as the
passengers on the train will see. They are both visible to the passenger going both ways. Passengers get a better view
of both views on the way to center city, which can provide the experience as a icon for people coming to Philadelphia
from other places.

Once in the terminals the train corridor becomes very isolated. It is stuck in between two buildings and roads
on either side therefore making the experience of getting to the train more of a hassle and even stressful The taxi lane is
a two lane road with some pull off areas but not at all stations. The taxi lane dispatcher only lets a minimal amount of
taxis or limousines through at a time. Therefore cutting the road down to a one lane road and providing a pull off for
taxis that are waiting. This allows others to pass by and not have to wait for others to get out of the way.

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6.0 Redevelopment of the Transportation
Experience
6.1 Program and Concept Development: Eastwick Train Station 6.2 Program and Concept Development: Philadelphia International Airport

Eastwick train station has a very specific and simple program. It will be designed to be the gateway into the The program for the train stations at the airport basically stay the same. The only station that has the differ-
airport campus. The station is simply for the people that live in the area as well as the people working at the ent program is A west the international terminal which is under the second floor of the building. The main idea that
Philadelphia International Airport. The program for the station includes: continues through the stations is the idea of the fake facades. The facades come from the window structure on the
side of the building facing the train as the train enters the airport. The program includes:

- Original Platform Design- Update materials to new wood platform -Fake Facade- Mimic the Window Structure
- Parking Lot- Accommodate for Daily Use only no long term parking - Solar Power- Use to power each station
- Civic/Seating Areas- Vendors for Food and Drinks - Green Roof- Accommodate the water that lands on the station rooftops
- Rain Garden Stormwater Management Systems - Direct Path to Baggage Claim- Accommodate Passengers that need direct access
- Handicap Accessibility - Plantings and Planting description Signage- Teach passengers of what is being done to enhance experience
- Provide New Shelters- Accommodate for heavier passenger usage - Lighting
- Integrated Signage- Tells Passengers When Trains Will Arrive
- Arrival and Departures Signage
The development of the station was done through the analysis of what the surrounding area includes and what
the needs of the users that surround the station will need. The need for Philadelphia International Airport employees
need ease of transportation to and from the office and the terminals. The need for the residence to the west of the The train stations at the airport have a specific program and they stick to that program at each and every
station also need a way to get to the airport. The development of this station also will provide people with the station. In developing the stations one key idea was the driving force behind how the passenger gets to and from
opportunity to take the train to and from the airport and reducing the amount of vehicular traffic on the airport campus. the station, and that was the idea that people are coming to the airport to get off the train and get to where they are
One main issue that was apparent when doing analysis was that there is a major issue with vehicular traffic. going. There is of course the exception where some people come a few hours a head of time so that they do not
The concept for this development is to become a destination station. The airports been remodeling their terminals to have to rush. Therefore hopefully this space that is created entices them to walk along the track to see the different
become a more destination airport so that people can come to the airport and be self sustained and not have to bring spaces and stations. The paths that go from Baggage claim are straight and very direct because of the need to get
anything. The airport has many different types of food and other stores to provide the passengers with many different people to get to their terminals. The paths that connect the stations wind more organically to make the experience
amenities. more enjoyable.

18

Results

Final Master Plan of Philadelphia International Airport
19

Results

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Results

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Results

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Results

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Results

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Results

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Results

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Results

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8.0 Materials Used In Design

The 10 foot wall that separates the train tracks from the departures road is a living wall. The system is constructed with 5 food sections that
can be slide out of place. This is for easy maintenance so that the airport maintenance crews can simply remove the sections that die rather than an
entire wall. In the winter time they can remove the dead vegetation and implement slides that have evergreen plants to give a similar look but dif-
ferent textures.

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8.0 Materials Used In Design

Artistic Reliefs designed by artists both locally and internationally

Landscape Lighting used in the A west terminal

Cistern Tanks for each terminal to collect the water runoff to reuse for
watering plantings and trees
Sculpture designed by Alexander Calder used in A west

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9.0 Transforming Transportation Conclusions
9.1 Lessons Learned

Through research of the project, as well as personal experience, the train to the airport has
become the next big development at most major airports. The airports that were studied are located in
major cities just like Philadelphia. The airport’s development of the way the stations interact with the
design helps to entice people to use them. Many other cities use light rail or monorail systems be-
cause of the proximity of the airports to the cities. On the other hand, Philadelphia would not benefit
from this type of train because of the distance in which it travels.

The Regional Rail from SEPTA also has the network for the R1 set up so that once it gets to
the airport it will then change lines and go to either Center City or a suburbs of the city. Therefore by
eliminating the other track at the airport the way that the schedule is set up there will never be a
conflict between any of the trains. If there are any delays and there is a conflict then there is space
where the train coming into the airport campus can switch over and let the other train pass.

In doing this project some important lessons learned are how to design for a project where the
first thing on someone’s mind is to get to there destination and how can the landscape work to that
behavior. As well as ways in which to improve the way that people walk through a site. The way that
the plantings are designed can either keep people on the path or hide views from people so that if they
do have the time to spend exploring the space.

30

10.0 References
-- Ashford, N., N. M. Hawkins, M. O’Leary, D. Bennetts, and P. De McGinity. “PASSENGER BEHAVIOR AND - Pickering, Andrew, and Ron Steinert. The passenger experience : Gensler airports. New York: Edizioni, 2004.
DESIGN OF AIRPORT TERMINALS.” PASSENGER BEHAVIOR AND DESIGN OF AIRPORT TERMINALS (1976): Print.
18-26. Abstract.: n. pag. Print.
- Snyder, Karen K. Frommer’s Atlanta. Hoboken: Wiley, Inc., 2007. Print.
- Associates., Leigh Fisher. Strategies for improving public transportation access to large airports. Washington, D.C:
Transportation Research Board, 2002. Print. - Sunderland P. Jon. “Airport retail takes off.” Retail Traffic - Retail Real Estate and Retailing Trends Information
Research and Analysis. Web. 05 Nov. 2009. <http://retailtrafficmag.com/mag/retail_airport_retail_takes_2/>.
- Bertolini, Luca, and Tejo Spit. Cities on Rails. London: EaFn Spon, 1998. Print.
- Traub, Courtney. “Paris RER Lines - Paris RER Lines - How to Ride the RER in Paris - Paris Transportation.”
- Brown, Christopher. Still Standing: A Century of Urban Train Station Design. Indiana UP, 2005. Print. Paris France Travel Guide - Paris Travel and Vacation Guide - Travel Guide for Paris France. Web. 08 May 2010.
<http://goparis.about.com/od/transportation/ss/Metro_and_Buses_6.htm>.
- Coogan, Matthew. Improving Public Transportation to Large Airports. Washington D.C.: National Academy, 1994.
Print. -”TriMet: Airport MAX Red Line Project History.” TriMet: Public Transportation for the Portland, Oregon, Metro
Area. Web. 08 May 2010. <http://www.trimet.org/about/history/redline.htm>.
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- TriMet: Public Transportation for the Portland, Oregon, Metro Area. Web. 08 May 2010. <http://www.trimet.org/>.
- Demkin, Joseph A. The Architects Handbookof Professional Practice. Wiley and Sons Inc., 2001. Print.
- Wells, Alexander T., and Seth B. Young. Airport Planning and Management. United States: The McGraw Hill
- Edwards, Brian. The Modern Airport Terminal. Abindon: Spon, 2005. Print. Companies Inc., 2005. Print.

- Griffin, Kenneth W. Building Type Basics for Transit Facilities. Hoboken: Wiley and Sons, Inc., 2004. Print. - Yoder, Eldon J. Principles of pavement design. New York: Wiley, 1975. Print.

- Hopper, Leonard J. Landscape Architectural Graphics Standards. Hoboken: Wiley and Sons, Inc., 2007. Print.

- Kazda, Antonin, and Robert E. Caves. Airport Design and Operation. Oxford: Linacre House, 2007. Print.

- Kotkin, Joel. Transit for the Public Not the Planners. 5th ed. Vol. 17. Washington: Enterprise, 2006. Print.

- Kozak, M. Destination benchmarking concepts, practices, and operations. Cambridge, MA: CABI Pub., 2004. Print.

- Max Red Line Light Rail to the Airport. Tri Met. May 2008. 7 May 2010. <http://www.trimet.org/pdfs/history/
railfactsheetairport.pdf>

- Neufville, Richard De. Airport Systems. United States: McGraw Hill Inc., 2003. Print.

- Paris Charles De Gaulle Airport Guide - Paris CDG International Airport Hotels, Airport Car Parking, Car Rental,
Flights, and More. Web. 08 May 2010. <http://www.paris-cdg.com/>.

-”Paris Net - Airport Transfers: Paris Airport Taxi, Airport Bus, Metro Station Charles De Gaulle and Orly Airport.” 31
Paris Apartments | Luxury Apartments for Rent in Paris. Web. 08 May 2010. <http://www.parisnet.com/info_airplane.
html>.

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