Two Birds with One Stone

The article reviews two new multi purpose snow removal machines that have changed both the dynamic and size of snow removal teams at many busy airports. Toronto's Pearson International Airport, by using one of the new multi purpose equipment, has set the bar for minimum runway down time for snow clearing - 10 to 15 minutes for a runway, a parallel taxiway and two high speed turnoffs, plus chemicals, sand application and inspection. One of the keys to Toronto's speed-cleaning is equipment that is custom fit for the job at hand, rather than "compromise" equipment. At BWI airport, crews are experimenting in-situ with the available new equipment. Complimenting the issue for BWI is that its runways intersect, which means that both runways must be shut down temporarily to clean the intersection, and crews take about 30 minutes to clear the 150 foot wide runway. The airport is investigating how the multi purpose machines will help accelerate the clearing. Despite the heavy up-front investment for the new machines, expectations are that the equipment costs can be recouped in savings to the airlines in one year or less.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/07445326
• Authors:
  • Croft, John
• Publication Date: 2005-4

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Pagination: pp 34-36
• Serial:
  • Airport Magazine
  • Volume: 17
  • Issue Number: 2
  • Publisher: AAAE Service Corporation, Incorporated
  • ISSN: 0744-5326

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Airport runways; Airports; Cost accounting; Downtime; Snow removal
• Identifier Terms: Baltimore Washington International Airport; Toronto Pearson International Airport
• Uncontrolled Terms: Multi purpose equipment
• Subject Areas: Aviation; Finance; Pavements; Terminals and Facilities;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01001059
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jun 21 2005 8:27AM