SYNOPSIS OF THE PROJECT

TITLE OF THE PROJECT

Introduction of a new Taxiway at Mumbai International Airport to mitigate the difficulties faced by RWY 32.

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

1. The new Taxiway Bravo is introduced to enable the aircrafts to leave the Runway 14 ILS critical zone area more rapidly to facilitate the arrival
of other aircrafts through the Runway 32 without causing any signal interruption.

2. The introduction of Taxiway Bravo also reduces the runway occupancy time of the landed aircrafts on the Runway 32 causing their speedy exit
and thus enabling faster arrival of aircrafts waiting for Runway 32.

RATIONALE FOR THE STUDY

1.

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To enable the aircraft to maneuver between the runway and terminal a network of taxiways is required. The taxiway configuration needs to
provide efficient aircraft movement around the airfield, minimizing taxi distance and maximizing flexibility. There are many elements to the
taxiway system, including parallel taxiway, rapid exit taxiways and other link taxiways all of which perform a specific function.
The flights arriving on the Runway 32 currently exit through the existing Taxiway E3. But this causes the flights to obstruct the Runway 14 ILS
(Instrument Landing System). The new Taxiway Bravo is introduced to enable the aircrafts to leave the Runway 14 ILS critical zone area more
rapidly to facilitate the arrival of other aircrafts through the Runway 32 without causing any signal interruption.
The introduction of Taxiway Bravo also reduces the runway occupancy time of the landed aircrafts on the Runway 32 causing their speedy exit
and thus enabling faster arrival of aircrafts waiting for Runway 32.

DETAILED METHODOLOGY TO BE USED FOR CARRYING OUT THE STUDY

1.

Collection of Input Data:

Input data are collected for carrying out the design work.
a) For Horizontal & Vertical Geometric Design, the inputs include existing layout plan of the airport, existing survey levels of pavements, the
airport operator input on new taxiway location, ICAO standards for minimum width of high strength pavement, minimum shoulder width and
curve radii, ICAO standards for minimum & maximum slopes, Change of grade and sight distance.
b) For Pavement Structural Design, the input includes aircraft traffic data, operating weights and number of types of aircraft.
2. Analysis of the inputs:
a) The horizontal geometry of the taxiway pavements is a function of the design aircrafts wheel track dimensions and pavement edge
clearance requirements. The analysis for Horizontal Geometric Design is done by CAD drafting works for the centre-line of the taxiway, the
intersection points and the radii of the taxiway. Offsets for the minimum width are then drawn with reference to the centre-line. Tracking of
the aircraft is done using Auto Track software. Then fillets are designed for the widened portions.
b) The Vertical Geometry design governs the longitudinal & transverse slopes on the taxiway. The analysis for Vertical Geometric Design is
done by creating centre-line of the longitudinal profile using 12D software. Then templates are selected for standard cross slopes and
modifiers are used for changing the cross slopes as and when required. The grading plan is reviewed and adjusted accordingly. Then
compliance for minimum & maximum slopes is checked.
c) Each component of the taxiway infrastructure must be designed with operational considerations in mind including the type of aircraft,
expected frequency of aircraft traffic and the environmental considerations specific to the site. Typically, taxiways are constructed using both
concrete pavements (rigid pavements) and flexible pavements, depending upon the specific situation. Based on these events the type and
the depth of the pavements are determined.
d) The analysis Pavement Design is done by using the FAARFIELD software. The design is done for the projected design life of the pavement.
The inputs are loaded and the software analyses the inputs. The type of the pavement and the corresponding depth is yielded from the
analysis.

EXPECTED CONTRIBUTION FROM THE STUDY

1. The study gives broad information about the design concept of the taxiway systems in an airport in particular to the Horizontal Geometry,
Vertical Geometry, and Pavement Structure.
It also gives a broad picture about the software used for the study like 12d, FAARFIELD and Auto Track which are used for the design purpose.
3. This study also gives the details of the design criteria for the rigid, flexible and semi-rigid type of pavements.
2.

PROBLEMS ENVISAGED IN CARRYING OUT THE PROJECT

Conceiving the project requirement in itself was the major problem. Mumbai International Airport being a brown-field airport, introduction of a new
Taxiway along the Runway 32 meant shutting down of the runway and announcement of International NOTAM (Notice to Airmen). This was a
tough call as the airports regulatory board in India, DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) Government of India was also to be taken into
confidence. Mumbai International Airport is a private Government consortium. The stakeholders and the airliners were also to be convinced for
the shutdown of Runway 32 to allow them to reformulate their own flight schedules. Lastly budget provision was also to be considered for the
fiscal year. These were the major problems envisaged in carrying out the Project.