AIRPORT LANDSIDE LEVEL OF SERVICE ESTIMATION: UTILITY THEORETIC APPROACH

The need for research on level of service criteria and standards for the design and evaluation of existing or proposed new landside facilities arises from the requirement that they reflect technical developments, enhanced knowledge of user preference and behavior, the need to increase the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the airport system, and the uncertainties of air travel demand. In air transportation, by and large, reliance has been placed on arbitrary standards with hidden assumptions. This paper reports recent research on the interrelationship between space/service standards, user perceived value or utility of level of service, and cost. A framework is described for the study of level of service, based on the principles of utility and cost-effectiveness theories. Criteria for design and evaluation of landside facilities are discussed, and recommendations for further research are made.