Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) American Airlines collaborated on an exciting initiative to enhance Terminal F, the dedicated concourse for the airline's commuter and regional jet operations. The original Terminal, completed in 2001, required changes in security in a post-9/11 atmosphere. With the increased use of commuter services, there was a need to improve safety, baggage claim, and passenger processing.

Urban was part of the team that carried the project from planning through design and implementation. Studies of terminal configuration, gate capacity, access, interterminal transfer, and taxiing considerations were all part of the analysis presented to PHL. Urban’s recommendations included using dual taxi lanes to handle the higher aircraft volume and higher turnover rate during peak hours to avoid traffic congestion on the apron.

Urban was responsible for all airside and landside design for the new facility. The apron, designed by Urban, will accommodate PHL’s commuter market by providing 38 gates for regional jets. The apron development required extensive utility relocations, geotechnical investigation, tie-in to existing Apron E, demolition of the FBO operation, and installation of a hydrant fueling network.

Urban’s landside services included studying the realignment of the airport exit roadway system, and considering future expansion plans to Terminals G and E. The roadway exit system rejoins the departures and arrivals roadways from Terminal E to the single roadway requirements for Terminal F. Urban provided traffic volume studies to make sure that a sufficient number of travel lanes were available for current and future traffic. Urban’s recommendations included using dual taxi lanes to avoid traffic congestion on the apron.

Highlights

• Airside and landside design for 38-gate terminal
• Demolition of major building structures
• Utility relocation
• 150,000-sy concrete aircraft parking apron
• Roadway design