Case Study No. 31

Speed Tables at BWI Airport

Baltimore/Washington International Airport, Maryland

Prepared by Jeff Olson, R.A., Trailblazer. Information provided by Ali Logmanni, BWI Airport Authority and Timothy Ryan, URS Consulting.

Problem

Safe, highly visible pedestrian crossings were needed between airport terminals and parking structures.

Background

As many airport passengers know, traversing the departure and arrival roadways between the terminal and the parking lot, hotel, or ground transportation can be a challenge. Busy passenger drop-off and pick-up zones for buses, taxis, and private vehicles can create a chaotic roadway environment. Crossing such a road, especially when carrying luggage or when traveling with a family, can be an unpleasant experience. Traditionally, airports have turned to costly pedestrian bridges over their roadways or have attempted to provide better surface crossings and enhanced signing. Such treatments are an improvement over unmarked, unsigned crossing locations, but their abilities to safely and easily manage large volumes of travelers and vehicles are still limited.

Solution

This speed table at Reno/Lake Tahoe International Airport provides a level crossing for pedestrians and makes them more visible to drivers. It also requires vehicles to drive more slowly. Pedestrian crossings at BWI airport provide similar pedestrian benefits.

The speed tables at BWI improve crossing conditions for pedestrians. Note that the speed tables complemented by strong yellow-green pedestrian markings and STOP signs with flashing lights and pavement markings, which typically are not used in combination with speed tables.

Several airports, including Reno-Lake Tahoe International, Las Vegas McCarran, and Baltimore/Washington International (BWI) constructed speed tables to more effectively handle passenger and vehicle movements at pedestrian crossings. The speed tables at BWI are located between the baggage claim area and the main parking garage. The roadway at this location has two through traffic lanes plus two parking/loading area lanes. Curbside parking and drop-off zones include shuttle buses to parking and transit connections along with taxi/limousine services and personal car access.

Originally, the airport terminal roadway had stop signs at certain locations with conventional marked pedestrian crossings and standard yellow pedestrian safety crossing signs. In 1999, airport management was concerned about drivers speeding through the terminal area and wanted to improve visibility, safety, and accessibility for pedestrians crossing between the new structure and the terminal baggage claim area.

Since traffic calming guidelines were still under development at that time, BWI and their consultants worked with both State and MUTCD-based design guidelines. The chosen design included raised speed table crosswalks supplemented by fluorescent yellow-green pedestrian crossing signs. The STOP signs were maintained at the speed tables along with corresponding pavement markings, although these are not typically installed in combination with speed tables in other locations.

Results

Although detailed data on cost and pedestrian use are not available, BWI Airport staff are satisfied with the speed table installation. Motorists drive more slowly through the terminal area and pedestrian visibility is greatly enhanced. Not moving up and down across ramps or curbs is a noticeable improvement for passengers with luggage, and is the added benefit in terms of ADA compliance. The application of speed tables at airport passenger terminals is an innovative use of traffic calming that demonstrates sound transportation planning and traffic engineering.

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