Optimisation of runway orientations for three-runway configurations

Abstract

ABSTRACTDetermination of runway orientation is a prime factor affecting the layout of airport facilities. This paper presents a new computer model called TORO (Tool for Optimum Runway Orientation) which is developed with an approach different from that of the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) wind rose method. All models previously developed are based on this traditional method. In the new model, each wind observation is evaluated individually in the computations without grouping them. Thus, the errors arising from the partial coverage problem and the FAA's assumption related to distribution of winds in each cell of wind rose are eliminated. The new model is written in CSharp (C#) programming language and the wind data tables are prepared in Access format. The accuracy, reliability and flexibility of the model are tested with three numerical examples. The results demonstrate that the TORO model may be a valuable tool for airport planners and designers.