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DFW FIDS Study

DFW Professional Services for Signage Planning Assessment and Design

Arora Engineers, Inc. (Arora) was selected as part of the team tasked with Airport signage standards development and on-call support services for Facilities, Airfield, and Landside locations. All services required under this agreement and any issued Delivery Order were provided to DFW’s Planning Department. The DFW Board wanted to engage our team because of our expertise and recent experience in the planning, programming, and design of Airport Terminal Wayfinding and Signage at large U.S. and international airports. DFW believes that effective wayfinding is critical to enhancing the customer experience at DFW, and signage should be integrated into spaces and general passenger circulation pathways to facilitate the wayfinding experience.

SCOPE OF WORK INCLUDED:

Arora is currently working closely with DFW to formulate a Wayfinding and Signage Improvements Plan that enhances the DFW customer experience by considering airport users visual and cognitive needs from wayfinding and signage systems. Below are five task orders Arora has worked on or is currently working on for this on-call contract:

  • Task 1 – Arora supported the collection of an Airport-wide signage inventory using mobile devices and GIS technology. The resulting data was delivered and incorporated into the Airport’s new on-line database called the Registry. The Registry contains every sign on Airport property, including, but not limited to, all roadways and all terminal facilities (airfield signage is not included). The inventory and database track each sign through its life-cycle and set up the Airport to obtain an assessment of existing signage as well as the creation of an improved comprehensive signage guideline and unique identification numbers for each sign. The full scope of project was to collect 25,000 signs with the final count of signs collected as being 26,096
  • Task 2 – Arora provided an assessment and recommendations to enhance the current Flight Information Displays (FIDS) in specific areas. A bench-mark analysis has been completed to document what DFW is currently implementing compared to similar airports. The team met with key stakeholders to understand the content strategy for the layouts and designs, and two conceptual designs were developed for review; based on this information, the conceptual drawings were detailed into buildable design drawings. The existing Skylink Vehicles and Station signage elements are outdated and do not integrate current technology advancements in digital and dynamic wayfinding. In collaboration with DFW, Arora is preparing biddable documents for upgrading the Skylink technology with enhanced in-car displays and implementation of digital signage for the Skylink. These upgrades will enhance the communication with passengers by providing dynamic displays of the Skylink train locations and wait times for the next train arrival. In addition, the displays will provide opportunities for additional advertising and communications.
  • Task 3 – Arora provided an assessment and recommendations to enhance the current Flight Information Displays (FIDS) in specific areas. A bench-mark analysis has been completed to document what DFW is currently implementing compared to similar airports. Our team met with key stakeholders to understand the content strategy for the layouts and designs to give that WOW factor. Two conceptual designs were developed for review and feedback and based on this information conceptual drawings will be detailed into buildable design drawings. Arora provided electrical engineering (power/lighting) professional services for the Monument Signage project. Arora provided new design to reflect the DFW brand which provided significant visual impacts to welcome customers to the Airport. Arora utilized the existing development concept to complete the final design and provide construction bid documentation/drawings as part of this task.
  • Task 4 – Arora supported DFW’s Curbside Reallocation Signage Design project which focused on the strategic alignment of Terminal and garage construction modifications, new curbside allocation plans, security initiatives, and outdated signage. Utilizing the sign data gathered in Task 1, map exhibits were produced and delivered to the client to facilitate in the locating and marking of temporary signs in preparation of removal. This initiative allowed curbside services to align with the following: Enforcement policies (Active Loading and Unloading of the curb), Operational efficiencies, Guest Experience, and Market Trends.
  • Task 5 – Arora led the effort to edit and update the current signage inventory data model, preparing for the removal and replacement of all curbside signage not included in Task 4. The data model updates, which included attribution updates to account for removed signage, prepared the database for updates that will occur as a result of the Curbside Reallocation project. Through this task, Arora also provided remote training for DFW staff and field crew teams that are responsible for recording the removed, as well as the newly replaced signage into the inventory tool.
  • Task 6 – Arora is preparing the signage inventory data to be usable within the airport’s existing ArcGIS system. The raw data will be provided in a format that will function with the airports existing Appain operations management system. Arora will assist the client in establishing naming conventions for signage and provide data attribution and auditing for completeness and accuracy, as well as work with the Board approved signage contractor on-site to test and confirm the signage input into the ArcGIS online data. Arora is also preparing a detailed maintenance plan for the signage inventory to be closely coordinated with the Airports ETAM department and the Board approved signage on-call contractor; the plan will document processes and procedures to upkeep the database and ensure accuracy when inputting and processing signage data.
Owner

Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)

Location

Dallas Fort Worth Airport, TX

Sectors