1. Introduction

Efficient taxi pick-up services are essential at airports like Inverness, where public transport may be limited and many travellers carry luggage. Passengers frequently face unnecessary waiting times due to suboptimal layout or operations, even when taxis are readily available.

Despite their importance, taxi pick-up areas are often overlooked in airport planning. This paper proposes a structured, data-driven process to help decision-makers design more reliable and responsive taxi facilities at Inverness Airport.

2. Operational Challenges

Taxi operations at airports involve complexities such as:

  • Unpredictable Arrivals: Passengers often arrive in bursts following flight landings, creating temporary surges in demand.

  • Queue Dynamics: Delays escalate quickly when arrival rates approach system capacity, especially during peak periods.

  • Diverse Passenger Needs: Groups vary in size, speed, and luggage, leading to inconsistent boarding times.

  • Non-linear Performance: Even small increases in demand can cause large spikes in queue length and waiting time.

Due to these factors, theoretical models alone are insufficient. Instead, detailed simulation tailored to the local environment is required.

3. Proposed Design Process

To address these challenges, we recommend a four-step methodology:

3.1 Observation & Data Collection

  • Measure real passenger arrivals at Inverness Airport’s taxi ranks.

  • Record group sizes, queue patterns, and time spent boarding.

  • Identify how taxi positions affect turnaround times.

3.2 Simulation Modelling

  • Develop a custom simulation reflecting actual passenger flow and taxi movement.

  • Calibrate the model to replicate observed performance, queue lengths, and delays.

3.3 Testing Design Alternatives

  • Use the simulation to test layout changes (e.g. queue lanes, pre-boarding areas).

  • Evaluate outcomes based on average and maximum wait times, and system reliability.

3.4 Selecting a Preferred Option

  • Choose a design that balances efficiency, predictability, and practical feasibility.

  • Emphasise passenger comfort and operational resilience under varying demand.

4. Conclusion

Taxi pick-up operations at Inverness Airport can be significantly improved through a structured, simulation-based approach. By collecting real data and testing alternative layouts, airport management can make informed decisions that reduce waiting times and enhance the passenger experience.

This method ensures the design is not only efficient but also tailored to the unique demands of Inverness and its travellers.