The Impact of TaxiBot Operations on Ground Traffic Flow at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol

Master thesis (2024)

Authors

R.M.N. Beumer Civil Engineering & Geosciences

Contributors

J.A. Annema Transport and Logistics - TPM (coach)
A.J. Pel Transport and Planning - CEG (mentor)
P.C. Roling Air Transport & Operations - Aerospace Engineering (graduation committee member)
S. Mahesh Transport and Planning - CEG (graduation committee member)
Philip Kerbusch Royal Schiphol Group (mentor)
Faculty
Civil Engineering & Geosciences
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Published Date

19-06-2024

Language

English

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Faculty

Civil Engineering & Geosciences

Abstract

Sustainable taxiing using TaxiBot vehicles is expected to contribute greatly to ambitions to reduce emissions and improve air quality in apron bays for airports around the world. However, the impact of large-scale dispatch towing operations at complex airports has never been investigated. This thesis creates a realistic simulation of ground traffic at Schiphol airport based on real-life radar data for different towing policies, to assess the impact on flow and on-time performance, congestion, and emissions.

Results show that TaxiBot towing can decrease fuel consumption and associated CO2 emissions at Schiphol airport by up to 76% per towing movement, and up to 32.9% of total airport emissions. Experiments in which aircraft are allowed to start their engines during the towing movement to save time at the unloading stations, result in outbound taxiing times that are 1 to 1.5 minutes faster than the reference scenario. Inbound times were found to become 2.5 to 3.25 minutes longer, but still contribute to CO2 savings. Apron bay flow was investigated and highlighted significant time gains of three minutes per outbound aircraft. This has the potential to create additional gate capacity at the airport, but further research is needed to quantify these gains. Congestion at unloading stations is found to be minimal, especially in experiments where engines can be started during the tow. Ultrafine-particle heat maps of towing policies show that significant relocation of emissions is possible, improving air quality in bays.