Simulation Study on Runway Threshold Stagger and Utilization Pattern of Closely Spaced Parallel Runways

Closely spaced parallel runways(CSPRs) is the configuration mode frequently employed in planning and construction of the current airport runway. Simmod simulation software was operated here to construct the computer simulation models for different utilization patterns of runways, and made a well-organized analysis and quantitative evaluation of airport capacity and operational efficiency, given in the threshold staggering of CSPRs. Meanwhile, the effects of runway crossover and bypass-taxiing on operational efficiency of airport were also taken into account. The simulation result suggests: Abiding by IFR(instrument flight rules), a set of CSPRs are able to support 800 take-off and landing flights in peak day, while around 55 similar to 58 take-off and landing flights in peak hour. When the outside runway threshold is staggered toward the arriving aircraft and provided with the bypass taxiway, the take-off and landing efficiency of airport becomes the highest under the operational pattern(landing on the inside runway and taking off from the outside runway), about 3%similar to 7% higher than that under any other operational pattern.