Abstract

HERRERA-GARCIA, Alfonso  and  CASTRO-MONDRAGON, Federico. Development of a prototype of transportation platform for air terminals. Ing. invest. y tecnol. [online]. 2019, vol.20, n.1. ISSN 2594-0732.  https://doi.org/10.22201/fi.25940732e.2019.20n1.001.

The airport terminals are infrastructures of large dimensions, which have to be traversed by the users under uncomfortable conditions, for instance, under stress and tiredness. To walk long distances within the terminal can be very demanding even for an adult without physical limitations and for a passenger with reduced mobility may result in a limited condition of accessibility. This research develops a prototype platform for individualized transportation that provides access to airport infrastructure and to the air transport service to persons with reduced mobility and for users in general. The platform is handled by a remote control and it is driven by two electric motors, so this equipment does not generate polluting gases in its operation. In order to control the direction of rotation and the speed of the electric motors, electronic systems were designed and used. The platform develops a speed between 3 and 5 km/h approximately and can carry a 75 kg user and his/her 25 kg luggage. During the tests, the platform could overpower successfully slopes up to 6% (3.4°). The cost of materials for its construction was approximately seven thousand pesos. Therefore, comparatively with other developments, the cost of the platform is competitive. Another advantage is that, unlike other designs, it can perform total stop without the necessity that the user gets off the platform and without consumption of energy in that condition. With this design, experience in the construction of this type of transport was obtained, to establish the basis for a further improved design. It was found, for instance, that the prototype could be enhanced by searching alternatives in the design of the remote control of the wireless module, lightening the structure and with the use of alternatives in the supply of energy.

Keywords : Accessibility; airport terminal; individualized transport; luggage; passenger; reduced mobility.