EWR Terminal A Redevelopment Program

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) embarked on the largest Design/Build project in New Jersey history with the Redevelopment of Terminal A at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). The new Terminal A is three stories high and 1 million SF in area. Terminal A includes a centralized arrivals/departures hub with world-class dual-sided roadways and over 1,000ft of upgraded curb frontage to ease passenger movement and improve passenger and baggage processing systems and three radiating concourses to service 33 aircraft gates. The facility also houses a hospital-grade air filtration system and other amenities like self-check in, self-serve bag drop stations, and biometric upgrades to expedite security screening and offer touchless payment options for concessions.

Arora Engineers (Arora) provided fire protection and special systems engineering and construction administration services for this program under the Tutor Perini Design Build Team as a sub-consultant to STV with Grimshaw Architects. In addition, Arora provided Asset Management Implementation for Munich Airports Group, served as Master Systems Integrator (MSI) and Technical Systems Expert (TSE) under the electrical contractor Five Star Electric, as well as worked as a subconsultant to AERO Systems Engineering, Inc. (Aero) for the Airside Electrical.

SCOPE OF SERVICES INCLUDED:

Special Systems – Special systems engineering design services provided for the new Terminal A included:

• Low voltage design and engineering
• Electronic Video Information Displays (EVIDS)
• Airline operations and support
• Common use systems
• Emergency mass notification
• Public address/audio paging system
• Taxi dispatch systems
• Visual messaging systems
• Visual docking guidance system
• Visual paging
• Virtual apron, control room, terminal operations center, and emergency operation control center, which comprise the Integrated Terminal Operations Control Center (ITOCC) – Services included:
  • Identifying structured cabling for necessary equipment, including audio, visual systems and IT systems for workstations
  • Delivering the complete ITOCC system design
• Structured Cabling System and horizontal backbA (SCS)
• Telecommunications spaces (MDF, IDF, radio rooms)
• TelephA (VoIP and traditional)

Fire Protection – As the lead engineer for fire protection, Arora performed engineering services for the new vertical structures of the new Terminal A, as well as the Pedestrian Bridge and Generator Building. The Pedestrian Bridge connected Terminal A to the new parking garage, designed and constructed separately, adjacent to the P1 Airtrain Station. The standby Generator Building, located south of Terminal A, supported the new facility. The design included standard wet and dry water-based sprinkler and standpipe systems as well as deluge sprinkler, pre-action sprinkler, and gaseous suppression systems for high-value or high-challenge assets.

Construction Administration – Arora provided construction administration for special systems and fire protection engineering services to the design team, which included reviewing submittals, reviewing RFIs, attending meetings, and performing inspection.

Technical Systems – Arora provided Technical Systems Expert Services (TSE) to the Functional Systems Expert (FSE) to guide the FSE through construction phase services for the successful integration of airport systems. TSE services included but were not limited to the following:

• Reviewing RFC drawings and identifying performance criteria vs. out-of-scope items (assessment)
• Reviewing vendor shop drawings and coordinating vendor interfaces and shop drawings with one another
• Coordinating and scheduling third-party testing agencies
• Developing special systems delivery and construction schedule
• Developing testing and commissioning plan(s)
• Developing tracking mechanisms for systems tests and requests
• Reviewing disparate systems product data and shop drawing submittals, reviewing and consolidating shop drawings
• Generating integration shop drawings containing detailed schematics, data, programming and software, and process information for the integrations between access control, CCTV and fire alarm systems

Together with FSE, Arora verified that all airport systems and integrations were tested and function in accordance with the design phase documentation, assisted in all testing, commissioning and operationalizing of airport systems.

Airside Design – Arora is providing Electrical, Plumbing and Special Systems engineering services for 33-gate terminal building and ramp. Services for the Airside Gates are defined as follows:

• Communications, power, data, CCTV, security supporting PBB’s, PCA, 400Hz, potable water, bag valet, ADGU, RIDS, eGSE battery charging, EFSO and hydrant fueling system and fiber loop
  Potable water system and plumbing EFSO system controls

PACC 66 Self-Bag Drop – Arora provided special systems engineering services for a low voltage design related to the check-in hall modifications to support self-bag drop, identified as PACC 66. The design and engineering scope of work included the following:

• Revised structured cabling drawings to accommodate equipment changes including IDF room details, Cable schedules, Sleeve locations, Details as required, Specifications as required

Arora was responsible for plans, specifications, and services related to the design development, construction documents, and construction administration.

Sustainability – To meet the PANYNJ’s goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the new terminal features several sustainable design solutions including solar panels on the curbside glass canopy and roof of the integrated parking structure, water-efficient plumbing fixtures, electrical buses, and energy-efficient indoor lighting and controls.

Image courtesy of PANYNY