Review of Demand Modeling Methodologies for Air-Related Transportation: An Institutional Challenge to Intermodalism

Fundamental to intermodal development is consistent demand modeling across the intermodal system, which coordinates resource allocation. However, different planning organizations are responsible for the development of different components of the intermodal system. In the case of air transportation, air demand modeling is mainly conducted by Federal Aviation Administration and commercial airlines for air traffic control and air flight operations. Airport-related surface demand modeling is undertaken primarily by airport authorities and metropolitan planning organizations for airport design and urban planning. These agencies adopt different methodologies from different perspectives, and there is an institutional gap between the methodologies, which may undermine the well being of the intermodal transportation system. In this paper, methodologies for demand modeling in the airport-related intermodal transportation system are reviewed, and the relevant problems are identified. The authors highlight a great need for a consistent demand modeling in support of intermodalism.