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OCR for page 193
Getting Ground Access Information to the Traveler 193
The Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI) project seeks to use map-based inter-
actions to simplify the airport ground access trip itinerary planning process, while at the same
time allowing for text-based data entry for users who prefer it. The project, which has been under
development for several years, provides the traveler with immediate access to readily accessible
information, followed by additional screens and hyperlinks to external sources only when needed
and selected by the user.
The project proposes that a hierarchy of screen information be provided to the traveler using
the airport website:
1. The user should specify where he/she wants to go upon leaving the airport by using a single
click on an interactive map (or entering the destination as text).
2. The program should quickly and briefly describe all modes of transportation that are avail-
able to that general area, whether they are airport-based or traditional public transportation
services.
3. The user should be able to request additional information on the chosen option(s) if needed.
4. The program should quickly provide the information that is relevant and appropriate to the
service being queried. Some of this information will be stored in the airport's server; in other
cases, a transfer to a second regional traveler information system will be initiated.
5. More detailed information specific to the proposed solution should be provided to the user,
which can include product sales by the proposed carrier when appropriate.
Passenger Information Provided by the Airport
Figure 9-13 shows the opening screen of the BWI Ground Access Information System. The user
is requested to specify his/her destination; this specification can occur on the Google map, using
standard Google navigation procedures. The user is encouraged to click on a point "somewhere
near" his/her proposed destination. More detail about geographic location can be provided later
in the process if needed. Alternatively, the user may select a destination from a series of drop-down
lists offered by town/city name, by WMATA MetroRail station, or by MARC commuter rail sta-
tion. Beneath the drop-down lists, the user can input the zip code of the destination, if known.
If the interactive map has been used, the map centers itself on the clicked destination, and a
summary of immediately available information is presented for taxi, shared-ride van, bus, or rail
service to the area. Rough travel times and costs are included. For each destination, the program
gives a proposed fare on the shared-ride system and offers a link to the company that serves that
particular zip code. On the display panel, a rail tab that brings up a second display panel is offered
for the user desiring more detail about rail connections. Figure 9-14 shows an example of the
content of the rail-oriented display panel, including the next four departures from Baltimore/
Washington International Airport to that destination.
If the user has entered the destination by choosing a rail station specifically, the rail-oriented
display panel opens first, and hyperlinks to more information are provided for the other modes.
The hyperlink for automobile directions transfers the user to MapQuest, where the origin "BWI
Airport" has already been entered in the request form.
Passenger Information Provided by Other Agencies
The program is still under development, and the project managers are now working on the issue
of transfer to automated origindestination trip itinerary planners operating in areas adjacent to
the airport. Ultimately, the user could be satisfied with the station-to-station level routing advice
given directly by the program or choose to go to a more detailed door-to-door itinerary trip plan-
ning system for his/her specified destination.
OCR for page 194
SOURCE: Beta testing version of BWI system under development by the I-95 Corridor Coalition.
Figure 9-13. The BWI ground access module allows the user to click on any destination on the
interactive map, which produces options by automobile, taxi, van, and rail services.
SOURCE: Beta testing version of BWI system under development by the I-95 Corridor Coalition.
Figure 9-14. The airport user seeking rail information is presented with trips from BWI to the
nearest commuter rail, light rail, and Amtrak stations.
