Relieving Congestion in New York

(Image from SHoP Architects and New York Magazine)

An article in the New York Magazine wrote how SHoP Architects came up with an idea of completely rebuilding Kennedy International Airport to facilitate a sort of a "moving terminal" environment, where the current definition of terminals, where flyers go to check in, wait for the flight and then fly, is eliminated. Instead, the flyers would board shuttle trains at stations throughout four boroughs (the plan excludes the Bronx) and go directly to their gate. While on the shuttle trains, flyers can check in their baggage, grab a few drinks, go online, since the plan will incorporate some of the latest technologies into the train.

The plan also calls for the reconstruction of the entire airport, encasing it in an environmentally-friendly "garage," which would generate electric power and protect the airplanes from the weather while they are parked at their gate. The plan is not considered by PANYNJ, the agency which controls New York-area airports, but is a suggestion made upon a request by the magazine. (New York Magazine)

The FAA, however, has a more realistic view, according to an article in the New York Times (registration required). The agency has concluded studying and is expected to make a decision soon about rerouting airplane paths coming into not only New York-area airports, but also changing paths of airplanes coming into smaller airports ranging from Delaware to Connecticut.

The agency has four plans in the works: "Modifying existing air space, routing air traffic over the ocean, making additional airspace available for air traffic controllers, or taking no action at all." (New York Times)