Question 20

Knowing the proportion of transit passengers at each terminal would provide valuable insights.

Understanding the proportion of transit passengers at each terminal is crucial because it helps to evaluate the effectiveness of bringing the rail line to the East Terminal versus the West Terminal. If a significant portion of passengers at either terminal are merely changing flights and not using the rail line for their final destination, this could affect the overall impact on road congestion.

A) For each terminal, what proportion of passengers using that terminal are transit passengers, who merely change flights at the airport?

This option is directly relevant because it addresses the flow of passengers and the actual demand for the rail line. If a large percentage of passengers at the East Terminal are transit passengers, the rail line may not significantly alleviate congestion since these passengers would not be using the rail service for their final destination.

B) Is the number of airlines with flights that use the East Terminal larger than the number of airlines with flights that use the West Terminal?

While knowing the number of airlines could provide some context about the terminal's operations, it does not directly inform the effectiveness of the proposed rail line in reducing congestion. The number of airlines does not have a direct correlation with passenger flow or transit needs.

C) Would the cost of bringing the rail line to the East Terminal be substantially greater than the cost of bringing it to the West Terminal?

The cost of construction is an important consideration, but it does not address how effectively the rail line would serve the passenger population. Focusing solely on cost overlooks the potential benefits of better serving the majority of passengers who use the East Terminal.

D) Is the average number of passengers per flight larger for flights departing from the West Terminal than it is for flights departing from the East Terminal?

This question looks at passenger load but does not provide insights into the necessity or efficiency of the rail line. The average number of passengers per flight does not help assess the impact on road congestion or the demand for rail service.

E) Are there measures other than building the rail line that would effectively reduce road congestion around the airport?

While exploring alternative measures is important for a comprehensive approach, this option does not directly evaluate the effectiveness of the rail line in relation to passenger needs. It diverts attention from the specific question of how to best serve the current passenger population.

Conclusion

Option A is the most relevant question to evaluate because it directly assesses the passenger dynamics at each terminal, which is critical for understanding whether the rail line will effectively reduce congestion. The other options, while insightful in different contexts, do not provide the necessary information to determine the optimal placement of the rail line in relation to passenger needs and terminal usage.