Airport passenger processing and surface transportation system

• US 20040162755A1
• Filed: 02/15/2003
• Published: 08/19/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/15/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Peter John Muller
• Original Assignee: Peter John Muller
• Inventors: Muller, Peter John
• Application Number:
  US10/368,118
• Publication Number:
  US 20040162755A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/13
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/00 Ground or aircraft-carrier-deck installations
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/31 Passenger vehicles specially adapted to co-operate, e.g. dock, with aircraft or terminal buildings

Abstract

A personal rapid transport system comprising guideways (20) and automated transportation pods (28) containing wireless computer communications (44) allows passengers to undertake transactions with airline, airport and security staff while traveling from intermodal centers (16) directly to aircraft boarding gates (38). The system transports checked bags to the gate and, with the possible exception of security screening, mostly eliminates the need for standing in line and walking long distances. The system issues boarding passes and baggage tags to passengers in the transportation pods, informs them of the waiting time until boarding and offers them their option of waiting areas. The system can ensure passengers arrive at boarding gates at their individually assigned boarding times thus virtually eliminating waiting at the gate. The system can inform arriving passengers when their bags are offloaded so they can deplane, immediately collect their luggage and board a transportation pod for a non-stop return trip to their originating intermodal center or destination of choice. The system can facilitate a security perimeter (24) around all public access airport buildings whereby passenger and other screening can be accomplished prior to entry to such buildings. It can also facilitate the elimination of large public transportation vehicles such as buses from the airport property thus removing a potential terrorist target. In addition, the system can eliminate the potential terrorist target presented by large groups of people waiting with unscreened baggage to be processed through ticketing and bag check-in. The system facilitates the replacement of conventional airport terminal buildings with consolidated concession facilities (26) and allows airport facilities such as runways (10) and concourses (14) to be spaced far apart.

Claims

1. a system and method for facilitating passenger surface transportation and processing through an airport comprising:

(a) a personal rapid transport system capable of automatically transporting passengers and their luggage comprising;

(i) a plurality of transfer means for changing modes of surface transportation;

(ii) a plurality of aircraft boarding means for changing between surface and air transportation modes

(iii) a plurality of pathways connecting said transfer means and said aircraft boarding means;

(iv) a plurality of transportation pods each capable of transporting a small plurality of said passengers and their luggage along selected portions of said pathways;

(v) guidance means to automatically direct said transportation pods along said pathways;

(b) communication means for communication between said passengers and, inter alia, airport, airline and security personnel and computer systems while traveling in said transportation pods;

whereby passenger boarding pass means for permitting said passengers access through said aircraft boarding means are issued to said passengers while traveling in said transportation pods thus eliminating processing of said passengers without checked luggage through a ticketing area and permitting travel of said passengers without checked luggage without stopping or waiting from said transfer means to said aircraft boarding means with the possible exception of waiting for security screening and whereby returning passengers without checked luggage may travel without stopping or waiting from said aircraft boarding means to said transfer means.

2. The system and method of claim 1 wherein baggage tag means for identifying bags and their destination are issued to said passengers while traveling in said transportation pods thus eliminating processing of most of said passengers through a ticketing and baggage check area and permitting travel for most of said passengers without stopping or waiting from said transfer means to said aircraft boarding means with the possible exception of waiting for security screening.

3. The system and method of claim 1 wherein said passengers are notified of expected waiting times and provided the option to choose waiting locations.

4. The system and method of claim 1 wherein said plurality of passengers in most of said transportation pods are transported to said aircraft boarding means to arrive at assigned boarding times whereby waiting in proximity to said aircraft boarding means is mostly eliminated.

5. The system and method of claim 1 wherein arriving passengers are notified of the unloading of their checked bags whereby waiting for bag unloading is accomplished while seated prior to deplaning.

6. The system and method of claim 1 further including microphone and speaker means to enhance said communication means.

7. The system and method of claim 1 further including video camera means within said transportation pods to transmit video images of the passengers.

8. The system and method of claim 7 wherein said video images are used for security purposes.

9. The system and method of claim 1 wherein airline, airport, concession and other employees and visitors utilize said system and method whereby almost all airport surface transportation excepting bulk deliveries and specialized equipment utilize said system and method.

10. The system and method of claim 1 wherein almost all security screening is undertaken at a secure perimeter encircling almost all airport public access buildings whereby unscreened access to said airport public buildings can be substantially reduced.

11. In an airport personal rapid transit system comprising a plurality of transportation pods equipped with guidance means for automatic travel and route selection, each of said transportation pods being capable of transporting a small plurality of people along chosen pathways between a plurality of transfer means for changing between modes of surface transportation and a plurality of aircraft boarding means for changing between said modes of surface transportation and air transportation modes, the improvement wherein said transportation pods contain communications means whereby said passengers can transact with airline personnel and computers to receive seating assignments and be issued passenger boarding pass means without the necessity to leave said transportation pod.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein said communications means issues baggage tag means for identifying bags and their destination thus eliminating processing of most of said passengers through a ticketing and baggage check area and permitting travel for most of said passengers without stopping or waiting from said transfer means to said aircraft boarding means with the possible exception of waiting for security screening.

13. The system of claim 11 wherein said communication means notifies said passengers of expected waiting times and provides the option to choose waiting locations.

14. The system of claim 11 wherein said plurality of passengers in most of said transportation pods are transported to said aircraft boarding means to arrive at assigned boarding times whereby waiting in proximity to said aircraft boarding means is mostly eliminated.

15. The system of claim 11 wherein arriving passengers are notified of the unloading of their checked bags whereby waiting for bag unloading is accomplished while seated prior to deplaning.

16. The system of claim 11 further including microphone and speaker means to enhance said communication means.

17. The system of claim 11 further including video camera means within said transportation pods to transmit video images of the passengers.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein said video images are used for security purposes.

19. The system of claim 11 wherein airline, airport, concession and other employees and visitors utilize said system whereby almost all airport surface transportation excepting bulk deliveries and specialized equipment utilize said system.

20. The system of claim 11 wherein almost all security screening is undertaken at a secure perimeter encircling almost all airport public access buildings whereby unscreened access to said airport public buildings can be substantially reduced.