Observation and measurement of metroplex phenomena

A combination of traffic demand growth, next generation air transportation system (nextgen) technologies and operational concepts, and increased utilization of regional airports is expected to increase the occurrence and severity of coupling between operations at proximate airports. Without understanding the nature of metroplexes and developing solutions that provide efficient coordination of operations between closely-spaced airports, the use of nextgen technologies and distribution of demand to regional airports may provide little increase in the overall metroplex capacity. However, the characteristics and control of metroplex operations have not received significant study. This paper presents initial observations of metroplex phenomena - interdependencies between proximate airports that result in reduced capacity or efficiency - in current operations at airports around San Francisco Bay. The observations are generalized to identify the types of metroplex phenomena encountered and the approaches currently used to manage metroplex interdependencies. Building on these observations, a qualitative metroplex definition and terminology is introduced to facilitate discussing metroplexes and to identify the qualities desirable in a quantitative definition. Finally, the framework for a measurable metroplex definition is presented.