Passenger‐Terminal Simulation Model

Abstract

A fluid approximation model for the simulation of passenger terminals is described. It is implemented via a specially designed, high‐level, passenger‐terminal simulation language, TERMSIM, which is Pascal‐based. TERMSIM uses three broad groups of terminal submodels: processors (such as check‐in and security), storage (such as ancillary services and hold rooms), and circulation components (such as corridors). The TERMSIM language consists of seven terminal‐component names, three flow‐control unit names, and six command statements allowing a terminal designer to create a representation of a terminal very quickly. Terminal operations are described by the number of passengers arriving, being served and queuing at the various terminal facilities. The structure of the model is described along with the mechanics underlying some of the terminal‐component models and representative parameter magnitudes required by these models. The modeling components of TERMSIM are structured in a modular way allowing the mechanics underlying each model to be rewritten and inserted into the program. A simple example is used to illustrate the programming language, and the capabilities of the model are illustrated.