31 AirportImprovement.com July | August 2026 TERMINALS BWI cues created an intuitive and efficient transfer experience for passengers, says AECOM Program Manager Rob Kleinman. In addition to being significantly faster, the new route helps relieve stress some passengers feel about finding their gate. Structurally, using a straight connection between concourses A and B required a simpler design that was easier to construct than a route with more twists and turns. Koch notes that the pieces and parts weren’t modular, but many had consistent standards, which sped production and installation. “Abstract Group’s updated concept and collaboration with The Sheward Partnership removed curved elements and focused on an efficient building design—a nod to the new assignment. One direct benefit was that construction of the building framing progressed very quickly,” he reports. “The structural simplification reduced cost and schedule.” Expanded and updated holdrooms, each with 175 power- equipped seats, are sized to accommodate Southwest’s larger aircraft and increased passenger loads. A curtainwall featuring electrochromic glazing technology and translucent roof fills the space with abundant natural light and creates a more pleasant environment for travelers, notes Ted Blackerby, aviation principal with Jacobs. The daylit 14,000-square-foot open market concessions space features a new and expanded lineup of food/beverage and retail options. An additional 28,000 square feet of shell space was added down the middle of the connector, allowing flexibility for future operators to outfit the space as they need and saving BWI the upfront construction costs. “The ‘flex space’ provides the concessionaire a clean palette to come in and do whatever they need to do,” Koch says. Shank wryly describes the approach as, “We’ll build the box, but we won’t fill the box with our money.” Two new restroom complexes demonstrate the airport’s commitments to sustainability, accessibility and passenger comfort. Having recently completed a terminal-wide restroom renovation that won Cintas’ 2023 America’s Best Restroom contest, BWI took the opportunity to improve these facilities even more. Men’s and women’s restrooms are collocated with family assist and nursing rooms, along with janitorial support facilities. Technology features include smart restroom systems with occupancy indicators, a maintenance feedback mechanism, upgraded lighting and touchless fixtures. A designated Connect. Collect. Predict. Upgrade your LED PAPIs with LINC Node for real-time system visibility. This IoT-enabled solution connects your PAPI to Airside Cloud, delivering continuous monitoring, predictive analytics, and proactive alerts. With CORTEX Service, you unlock predictive analytics, alerts, visualized with an intuitive PAPI Map and Cockpit view for remote monitoring anytime, anywhere. Boost airfield safety, cut inspection costs, and minimize runway closures—all in one smart upgrade. Secured Data Ingestion & Processing CORTEX Service Web Application PAPI IoT Gateway Cellular LPWA (2G fallback)
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