In an effort to improve the safety and efficiency of their shuttle service at the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Virginia, Avis Budget hired WGI to conduct a shuttle circulation study. The company aimed to improve efficiency and enhance safety by relocating its shuttle stops to the primary shuttle hub, creating a smoother experience away from passenger and rideshare traffic. Avis Budget enlisted WGI to collect and analyze the shuttle circulation data and provide evidence to support the case of this critical transition.

Our local team collected extensive data through a series of on-site observations and reviewing seven days’ worth of shuttle dash cam footage. We identified multiple safety concerns, including near misses and aggressive driving behaviors, as shuttles frequently encountered blocked paths, particularly at the first pick-up location in Terminal 1.

The dashcam footage, combined with our observations and interviews with the shuttle drivers, enabled us to develop a report for Avis Budget that transformed qualitative narratives into quantifiable problem areas. Our report demonstrated that the placement of Avis Budget’s shuttle stops in their current locations was not only detrimental to Avis Budget but also disrupted overall airport operations. Using our analysis, Avis Budget was able to convince airport authorities to relocate their shuttles from the Terminal 1 pick-up location to the shuttle area.

WGI conducted a follow-up study to assess the impact of the relocation. The results were promising, demonstrating that safety and timing significantly improved. Conflicts with passenger cars were now nonexistent. Through our collaboration with Avis Budget, we successfully advocated for the safety improvements of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, a vital part of our community.