The Kansas City International Airport, (KCI), Economy Parking Project opened for business on January 5, 2004, on time, within budget, and with no lost time accidents. The project has been a great success with excellent reviews from the public and the media. Kansas City Missouri Aviation Department is the owner and operator of the Economy Parking. Revenues have greatly exceeded original projections by reaching a total of $11.7 million in 2004. The first year’s revenues represent over 25% of the project’s total construction cost. This new 15,000-stall facility replaced an old 10,000-stall lot that was land locked with little potential for expansion. Patrons were turned away from the old lot during the peak holiday season due to inadequate capacity. The new facility is constructed on a 300-acre site with plenty of room to expand.
The new Economy Parking has become a true landmark and an asset to both KCI and the greater metropolitan area. The efficiency, convenience, and user friendliness of the new Economy Parking makes the usually burdensome activity of travel more enjoyable for its patrons. In fact, a local newspaper survey awarded this parking facility “The Best Place to Park”.
Facility Planning
An extensive planning effort went into the design of this facility. A detailed study was performed to establish the need and to project the growth of the facility. Projected revenues and expenditures demonstrated the financial feasibility of the project. The old lot’s inadequate capacity, and future growth projections clearly demonstrated the need for the new facility. The public approved a revenue bond that included the construction of the new Economy Parking.
The planning process began with evaluating options for the facility. The challenging topography, site constraints, environmental concerns, FAA, FEMA, Corps of Engineers, DNR and MoDOT regulations combined with the requirements of a sophisticated client, resulted in the preparation of over 45 different layouts for the facility, before the final plan was selected.
A major goal of the project was to preserve existing vegetation, streams, and wildlife habitat. A quick glance of the site’s before and after photos reveals the careful planning that went into the facility’s design to preserve its natural beauty and to take advantage of its views.
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Project Overview
This $47 million project was a massive public works undertaking. The footprint of the Economy Parking facility covers a larger area than the three terminals combined. This project employed almost every facet of civil engineering and combined it with architecture and art. The construction plans consisted of 650 sheets of 30” x 42” drawings organized in six separate volumes.
Over 5.5 miles of roads, boulevards and highway ramps were constructed.
The project also included: • 5 bridges • An earthen dam • Retaining walls • 3 box culverts • Several highway ramps • 3 roundabouts • Signalization and geometric modifications
of 5 existing intersections • 120 acres of asphalt paving • 93,000 feet of curbing • Over 100 miles of striping • 4000 feet of guard rails • 3700 feet of concrete barriers • A 14,000 square foot parking and bus
operations center • Bus canopies for 36 buses • 2 entry plazas with canopies • A 10 lane exit plaza with 8 attended booths • 30 bus shelters • 2 bus transfer stations • 32 information kiosks • Signage • Graphic arts • Security cameras • 19,000 feet of fencing and decorative
pilasters
• 11,000 feet of 8” and 16” water lines • Over 35,000 feet of 12” to 54” storm
sewers • Relocation of sanitary sewers • In-situ forming of existing sewer lines • A pump station and a force main • 11 miles of under drains • Miles and miles of power, telephone,
security and data lines • 620 light poles • 3600 feet of 12” high pressure gas line
relocation
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The project was bid in two major packages that required coordination with several other ongoing related contracts. Concrete was bid as an alternative to asphalt. The difference between the future maintenance cost of asphalt and concrete pavements was added to the base asphalt bid for comparing it to the concrete pavement alternate bid.
Over 1,000,000 cubic yards of earth were moved, and all of the pavement sub-grades were stabilized with lime or cement treatment. A small wetland was mitigated, and provisions were made for a future fountain at the large roundabout.
In less than 18 months from notice to proceed, the project was successfully completed and opened to the public on January 5, 2004. This astonishing schedule was achieved through an excellent set of construction documents, highly skilled Contractors, careful project management, and a team approach to the project.
The project was bid in two major packages. Package A consisted of roads, bridges, parking, utilities, and buildings, while Package B included signage and guardrails. Package A was completed on time on December 19, 2003. Substantial completion for Package B was Friday, January 2, 2004. To ensure smooth operations and to avoid the weekend rush on opening day, the Owner opened the lot at 1:00 AM on Monday, January 5, 2004.
Construction Schedule, Management and Control Techniques Used
The Contractor was required to submit CPM schedules using Primavera. A scheduling consultant on the design team reviewed the Contractor’s CPM schedules. Review comments were forwarded to the Contractor for incorporation in subsequent schedules. Weekly progress meetings attended by the Owner, the consultants, the Contractor and subcontractors were held to review the progress and to plan the week ahead.
All submittals were carefully tracked and reviewed by the design team. Owner’s representatives monitored all aspects of the project and were available to provide any necessary clarifications. The design team’s surveyor verified construction staking for critical elements of construction. In addition to the Contractor’s extensive Quality Control Program, the Owner was represented by the design team and a testing agency to verify compliance with the plans and specifications. Teamwork and an open line of communication led to the successful completion of this project.
Safety Performance
There were no lost time accidents on the project.
Environmental Considerations
Extensive erosion control measures were employed to minimize silt run-off during the construction of the project. Several sediment basins and sediment traps were constructed along with silt fences and ditch checks prior to commencement of general grading operations.
A small wetland (0.06 acres) that was impacted by the project was mitigated by the removal of invasive plant species and planting of new native materials.
Numerous green building design features included day lighting, low maintenance exterior finishes, and interior finishes. These finishes included low VOC paints, bamboo flooring, recycled products, and sustainable wood species.
The geometry of the parking lot was carefully designed to avoid the existing stream and vegetation, and to minimize impact on the wildlife. A regional detention basin was included to limit the runoff to pre-development rates.
Detours and impacts to traffic patterns were carefully planned to minimize public inconvenience. This was made possible by maintaining close communication with department staff, airport tenants, and news media. News releases and radio announcements kept the public abreast of the project’s progress. The KCI website also included up to date information about the project.
The contractor engaged a traffic control subcontractor to install and maintain construction signage and devices. Portable variable message signs were used to inform the public. The owner’s representative and the contractor monitored traffic control measures on a daily basis. Airport Police enforced the reduced speeds posted in the construction zone to ensure public safety.
Unusual Accomplishments
Part of the project was near the Runway Protection Zone (RPZ). A permit is required through the FAA and special restrictions apply to any work performed in the RPZ.
Construction of the twin bridges that fly over Cookingham road required the use of a crane in the RPZ. A permit was obtained from the FAA and the Airport Manager to close the runway when the crane was used. Each day, the Airport Manager decided if the runway would be closed for construction. All construction equipment including the crane was removed from the site daily.
Soft glacial till soils, which are susceptible to freeze/thaw action, were present at the sub-grade level of pavements. The sub-grade of all pavements was treated with lime in lieu of fly ash to limit the dust because of the close proximity of jet fuel filters. Cement treatment was used where sandy soils were encountered.
The bus canopies were laid out with the 161 KV high voltage power Lines running between them in a new island. These power lines also influenced the geometry of the Economy Parking and the dam. Grading plans were designed to allow adequate vertical clearance at the high voltage lines at several locations.
A helicopter was used to install the lights at a rate of 1 pole every 3 minutes to expedite installation. This work required coordination with the FAA and the Airport Manager.
A 3 dimensional computer model of the entire project was generated by SK Design Group, and furnished to the contractor. The contractor used a GPS receiver aboard a pickup truck, equipped with a laptop which displayed the site plan and the precise location of the truck in real-time. Cut and fill amounts were also displayed on the screen. This allowed the driver to stake the site single handedly during the entire grading operation. Utilizing this technology, missing stakes could be easily replaced. After rough grading, the blade of the graders was controlled by the computer model to precisely grade the sub-grade of pavements.
Over 300,000 tons of asphalt was placed in one season.
Trash and construction debris encountered in an area were removed and replaced with suitable materials. The sub-grade for the footings of bus canopies required the addition of a geotextile grid reinforced rock mat due to soft soils.
Large stones were used to stabilize the sub-grade of the box culvert under the dam due to the presence of soft soils and at several deep storm sewers, where perched ground water was encountered.
Special Trapezoidal concrete mow pads were constructed at light poles and signposts to allow the large mowers to go around them. Mower ramps were constructed at the curb line at many locations to facilitate accessing the lawn areas from the roadways. Controlled entry and exit points to the facility included an extra wide lane to allow the snow plows to enter the facility. The massive 47 million dollar multi-faceted project was completed in less than 18 months, below the original budget.
KCI airport is one of the most efficient airports in the country, due to its convenient layout, the ease of traffic circulation, and the short walk between land transportation and the airline boarding gates. The airport is separated into 3 terminals that house the boarding gates.
The old 10,000-stall lot served all three terminals from a single large parking lot. This design was inefficient, as patrons had to ride a bus through the entire lot and all 3 terminals before being dropped off at their gate.
The new Economy Parking is designed for the convenience of the public and features three separate sub-lots that correspond to the three airport terminals. Patrons ride a bus only through one small sub-lot and one terminal. Patrons are transported directly to their gate.
This maximizes efficiency in shuttle service and enables faster travel time for patrons. All signage throughout the facility is color coordinated with the signage colors used for terminals A, B, and C.
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A dedicated bus road provides a direct route to the terminals. Patrons are picked up at conveniently located bus shelters and are taken directly to their gates.
Patron Experience
Two entrances to the complex provide quick access for in-bound traffic from the interstate highways. A third public entrance provides access to the lot from within the airport. A beautiful monument sign, prior to entering the ticket plaza, greets patrons at the two main entrances. The monument signs feature the Economy Parking logo on a neon and stainless steel pylon, conveying the concept of transitioning from roadway, to runway, to flight, via the Economy Parking.
The south ticket plaza, entered via a highway off-ramp, has six ticket dispenser gates. The north entrance is accessed directly from the highway off-ramp and contains four gates.
A divided parkway is used to access the lots. Three roundabouts provide safe and convenient access to the lots. Patrons are directed to park in the lot for their departing airlines. Airlines being served are signed at each roundabout.
Sensors in the roadway determine the number of vehicles present in each lot. The number of available spaces is then posted in real time to variable message signs.
Gateway monument signs at each lot entry confirm the airlines being served. Custom light fixtures with color-coded way-finding banners designate the collector aisle, to aid patrons in way finding.
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Thirty beautiful shelters are conveniently located throughout the Economy Parking. Walking distance to bus shelters is limited to a maximum of 300 feet. The shelters are located on 10 foot wide raised islands that provide an elevated walkway for patrons.
Generous roof overhangs provide a shady respite for waiting patrons. Openings are oriented away from prevailing winds. The shelters are heated and contain benches, CCTV equipment, informational maps, signage, and emergency phones.
Steel framed informational kiosks are situated adjacent to each Bus Shelter. The four-sided structures support colorful shelter identifiers, interpretive, and information panels. A unique bus shelter identifier for each shelter augments the shelter number. These unique identifiers consist of multi-layer colorful images that portray interesting facts about Kansas City. They are located on two sides of each kiosk and help patrons remember where they parked. Interpretive panels, complete with text and photos, are located directly below the identifiers to explain their significance. Information panels also display a parking lot map, exiting instructions, and emergency information.
Signage directs patrons to the main parkway, and the toll plaza. The Toll Plaza has eight attended lanes and two lanes for automated payment.
All patrons exit the facility at a signalized intersection that feeds directly into the interstate. A monument thanks the patrons for using the Economy Parking.
Traffic Improvements
The complex has greatly reduced vehicular traffic on the airport roadway system and congestion at the terminals, thereby reducing long-term maintenance costs. Placing the north entry and exit directly across from the on and off ramps of a less traveled interchange at the north side of the airport relieves the already congested interchange on the south side of the airport.
Due to sight distance problems and projected traffic volumes, the four on/off ramp intersections at two interchanges inside the airport were signalized. Traffic signals were also installed at the north entry/exit point.
Dedicated bus roads minimize conflict between buses and regular traffic. The project also entailed a general upgrade of existing signage and guardrails on airport streets.
Several bridges and box culverts were constructed as part of the project. The twin-bridges, “flying-over”, in-bound Cookingham Road are dedicated for shuttle buses and consist of two 4-span, 22.5-foot wide, 607 foot long bridges. Each bridge has two-trapezoidal section steel girders (“tubs”), and a composite deck slab. This bridge construction required a detour of inbound airport traffic over a lane of outbound Cookingham Road. Temporary crossover roads were constructed in the median to detour the traffic around the construction.
The twin bridges feature color concrete for all sub-structure and super structure elements with hammerhead type piers that are lit at night. Retaining walls were designed with reveals that form a beautiful large staggered block appearance.
A 152.5-foot long section of box culvert with two 12-foot by 12-foot cells was added in the Cookingham Road median to enclose Todd Creek. This culvert allowed the construction of the two ramps for the fly-over bridges that access inbound and outbound Cookingham.
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Patrons access the lots by crossing over the dedicated bus road on 3-span twin bridges of concrete haunched-slab. Each bridge is 31-feet wide and 150-feet long.
A new 180-foot long 3 span concrete, haunched-slab Bridge was also constructed, as part of a new roadway that serves two functions. It provides a third entry into the facility as well as allowing off-duty travel for buses between the Parking and Bus Operations Center and the Economy Parking.
A 180-foot long triple box culvert with an overflow structure was also constructed at the dam.
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Parking and Bus Operations Center
This project also included the construction of a new Parking and Bus Operations Center (P&B Ops). P&B Ops serves as the headquarters for ground transportation operations. The center includes a 14,000 square foot building, employee parking, and covered canopies for thirty-six buses. The bus canopies were laid out with the 161 KV high voltage power Lines running between them in a new island. The building houses the airport’s bus operations management and driver services, as well as the parking vendor. These services had been scattered throughout the airport property in various temporary trailers and storage rooms.
The P & B Ops center offers a driver’s break room with a terrace overlooking a wooded creek below.
Administrative offices are sited to take advantage of pleasing views to the bordering wooded creek and the front pedestrian plaza.
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Security
Over three miles of fencing for security and revenue control were installed. Fences in high visibility areas are metal picket panels accented by ornamental masonry pilasters. Other areas are secured by vinyl-coated chain link fencing. Closed circuit television cameras are installed at multiple locations within each lot. Other cameras videotape each vehicle entering and exiting the complex including a record of license plate information that corresponds to the ticket dispensed.
Automated Vehicle Identification System
A fully automated payment system provides an added amenity for the users. Patrons now have the option of purchasing a QuickTagSM, the airport’s Automated Vehicle Identification (AVI) system, to enter and exit the lot through dedicated lanes without the need to stop for a payment transaction. This AVI system is compatible with those used on the local turnpike system.
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Marketing
A brand marketing strategy was part of the overall plan of the Economy Parking complex. Graphic art elements including a logo, a system of way-finding signage, and exterior environmental graphics were part of this strategy. This was used to introduce and create brand awareness and customer loyalty.
Future Expansion / Multi-Modal Plans
The Economy Parking complex was designed to accommodate future expansion as well as an array of multi-modal links. Each of the three lots has expansion capabilities, and the entire facility is expandable if a new terminal building is added at the airport. A future on-airport Automated People Mover (APM) may eventually connect to a Light Rail Transit (LRT) system serving the entire Metropolitan area. The current plan can accommodate stations for the APM and LRT within the new Economy Parking design. In addition, the parking lot roadway system was designed to accommodate future commercial development including such services as car maintenance (providing service while you are traveling), valet service, and convenience stores.
