Airports are complex transportation hubs that coordinate the movement of passengers, goods, and services from the surrounding urban area. They need decision support and actionable insight to reduce uncertainty and mitigate risk for long-term planning.

The increased use of smart mobility technologies holds the promise of providing consumers and businesses with many benefits. However, the challenges of adapting complex transportation networks to rapidly evolving technology megatrends are significant. And poor planning or execution may result in increased energy use, costs, and system inefficiencies.

NREL and ORNL experts will leverage the powerful scientific computing capabilities at the labs to develop sophisticated models of current and future mobility requirements based on expanded mobility choices to and from transportation hubs, increased freight volume, and anticipated dynamics of airport access.

Athena will develop a "digital twin" model of DFW Airport with data from individuals, traffic, freight routes, flight schedules, autonomous vehicles, and other sources. Using data-driven statistical modeling and artificial intelligence, this model will simulate the impacts of future capacity expansion scenarios. It will also identify options that maximize the value of passenger and freight mobility per unit of energy, time, and/or cost.  

Athena will use technology integration to help ports integrate and adapt to transformative technologies and understand their use to develop modern, efficient ports that can achieve ambitious energy goals.

The model results, combined with insights from the DFW Airport and its operating partners, will inform realistic recommendations for guiding long-term investments at the airport and other transportation hubs over the next 20 years.