VHB is leading a major transit feasibility study of potential mobility solutions for Aerotropolis Atlanta​, a partnership that’s transforming Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport into a 24/7 business district.

The Aerotropolis Atlanta Community Improvement Districts (AAICD), along with the Aerotropolis Alliance and local, regional, and state agencies, are working to transform the world’s busiest airport into the world’s busiest airport city. To that end, the AACID and its executive director, Gerald McDowell, hired a team led by VHB to identify immediate and long-term transit solutions in this burgeoning employment and lifestyle center.

Under the direction of VHB project managers Grady Smith and Tim Preece, the study will evaluate multimodal options, including rail transit and autonomous systems, such as personal rapid transit, that offer the most efficient movement of people and goods within and even beyond the Aerotropolis area surrounding the airport. This fall the Aerotropolis CID and the VHB team plan to host an “Innovation Summit” highlighting cutting edge mobility technologies that could be applied to Aerotropolis Atlanta.

The Aerotropolis Transit Feasibility Study is expected to be completed by the end of this year.

“Our goal for the study is to establish an aspirational vision for multimodalism that will become the model for the entire region,” said Smith. “This transit study offers VHB a groundbreaking opportunity to identify new technologies that could greatly improve Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport’s connectivity with businesses and mixed-use developments situated within Aerotropolis Atlanta. We are thrilled to be involved in such a transformational project.”

Spearheaded by the Aerotropolis Atlanta Community Improvement Districts, Aerotropolis Atlanta seeks to turn the airport area into an “airport city” with transit-centric connectivity to corporate headquarters, manufacturers and warehouses as well as hotels, housing, shopping, and restaurants. Aerotropolis Atlanta has already attracted several large-scale developments, including the new Solis Two Porsche Drive luxury hotel on Porsche Cars North America’s corporate campus, the Atlanta Hawk’s new training facility, and a 300-acre mixed-use development just west of the airport in College Park. Atlanta joins Denver and Detroit as thriving aerotropolis locations.

“The completed study will shape the future of transit, mobility and access throughout the Aerotropolis,” said Gerald McDowell, executive director of the Aerotropolis Atlanta CIDs. “This a comprehensive approach to thoroughly examine the region’s existing needs while anticipating future demands. The results of this effort will produce recommendations that will be vitally important to our continued economic success for many years to come.”