Passenger Pods Transit System in Airport Terminals

INTENT:
Changing the way passengers move & feel in an airport.
Currently in airports, the passenger experience is often stressful, tiring and unpleasant. This is increased due to more security checks, official procedures and the hassle of finding & interpreting signage & interpreting correctly. The intention is to improve the passenger experience, make it more efficient for airport staff, and improve energy efficiency. This can be done by introducing a new system of moving people.

CONCEPT:
The fundamental premise of this concept is to reverse the current process – where the passenger goes to various activities. Instead, various procedures come to each passenger as he or she relaxes in the comfort of a personal nest/pod. This pod would take the passenger from entry to the boarding gate. All the intermediate processes of check-in, security frisking, scanning, etc would happen on the way, from both sides – as the passenger sits in the pod travelling forward.

The system would work on hundreds of passenger pods traveling along a linear path (magnetic conveyor) that allow the pods to move linearly as well as across (somewhat similar to a ‘production line’ in a factory).

ADVANTAGES:
The focus is on the passenger’s experience, yet achieving efficiency in the procedures of the airport.  Very relaxed and comfortable experience for the passenger - whether single, family, children or elderly. No standing in long & tight queues.
This time can be utilized as desired by the passenger.
Due to its linear nature, the space requirements would be reduced, and hence the energy consumption would also be minimized.
For airline staff and security officers, this becomes a more controlled and organized way of taking in passengers.

PASSENGER POD:
A typical scenario for a ticket-holding passenger:
-Enter the lounge and get your check-in luggage screened and checked-in.
-Sit in any Pod bearing the color/logo of your ticketed airline.
-If Shopping & Leisure area is to be visited then do not board in the Pod; go downstairs and then board the Pod on return.
-Punch in your flight number; the pod will rest in the Lounge or move ahead along the queue, depending upon the schedule of your flight.
-Each Pod has comfortable seating, storage space for hand-baggage, privacy screen, multimedia entertainment options, power outlet, path programming (for refreshments, toilet, etc); becomes an extension to home or office.
-Once the Pod passes the check-in zone, it knows the boarding gate and hence selects the appropriate path or track, along which it will travel further.
-Then various other procedural zones are passed.
-The pod reaches the boarding lounge and waits there or it goes straight to the boarding gate, where the passenger disembarks from the pod.

A similar, but reverse flow happens in the Arrival section; the passenger sits immediately after getting out of the aero-bridge, and goes through all processes. Disembarks at the luggage collection carousals and walks out after clearing Customs.

Detailed design & technological refinements pending.