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Toronto Pearson International Airport
Toronto Pearson International creates a high-quality airport experience
At a Glance
- 30.4 million — The number of passengers Toronto Pearson International Airport handled in 2009. That number is expected to increase to 50 million by 2020.
- $2 million — Airport’s estimated electricity savings in 2009, with projected savings of a comparable amount year over year in subsequent years.
- 60,000 — The number of points monitored and controlled by the Johnson Controls Metasys® building management system throughout the airport’s 31 buildings.
The challenge: Keeping millions of travelers and employees safe and comfortable
Canada’s busiest airport, Toronto Pearson International, handles 1,200 aircraft arrivals and departures daily. That’s 30 million passengers a year – a number expected to rise to 50 million by 2020. Keeping those passengers – as well as tenants, employees, and visitors – comfortable is no easy matter. The airport features large open spaces and doors that constantly open and close as people enter and depart the terminals. An abundance of glass windows and exteriors leads to considerable sunlight and heat affecting interior temperatures. Comfort is a major priority, as it affects the traveler and employee experience. So are safety and building efficiency. The Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) sought to make the airport experience the best it can be, and to do so in a financially and environmentally responsible manner. So the GTAA embarked on a 10-year $4.4 billion development program, featuring the replacement of two existing terminals with a new world-class facility – Terminal 1. It was a massive undertaking. Terminal 1 has 82 acres of floor space, 258 check-in counters and a nine-mile-long conveyor system capable of handling 18,000 bags an hour.
The solution: Integrated state-of-the-art systems and service
The GTAA turned to a trusted service provider. Johnson Controls has successfully operated and maintained the airport’s HVAC systems since 1996 when the GTAA took over airport operations. The GTAA once again called on Johnson Controls for many of the key systems in the new Terminal 1, including the Metasys® building management system to monitor, control and optimize heating, cooling, lighting, fire safety and security systems. Metasys integrates with a number of mission-critical airport functions. For example, by integrating with the Air Traffic Information Management System (ATIMS), Metasys is capable of adjusting the heating, cooling, lighting, and fresh air intake according to the volume of arrivals and departures at any given moment, potentially saving energy and money while enhancing comfort.
As the security systems integrator, Johnson Controls also installed a state-of-the-art security system with card access for airport and airline personnel, and with closed-circuit TV (CCTV) cameras transmitting video over IP for fast, flexible access.
The systems Johnson Controls has in place serve not just Terminal 1, but the entire airport complex of 31 buildings covering 9.7 million square feet. Thirty-five on-site Johnson Controls technicians maintain these systems on a full-time basis.
Johnson Controls also advises the GTAA on additional ways to improve the airport’s comfort levels as well as operating performance and equipment uptime, and helps the GTAA keep the airport in compliance with all applicable regulations.
Results and benefits
Toronto Pearson International Airport has become significantly more cost-effective and energy-efficient. For example, as a result of a number of programs, the airport lowered energy costs by an estimated $1.9 million for electricity in 2008 and $2 million in 2009. The airport’s interior spaces have become more comfortable and its operations more reliable. Thanks to ongoing maintenance and support, trouble calls – including complaints about indoor temperature – have dropped considerably. In addition, by developing a refrigerant management program, Johnson Controls enabled the GTAA to verify compliance with regulations when Environment Canada conducted a Federal Halocarbon Regulation Compliance Audit.
We want passengers to leave not remembering being too warm or too cold. The Metasys® system is essential for our ability to maintain a comfortable environment at a reasonable cost.
– Mike Riseborough, General Manager of Buildings and Facilities Maintenance, GTAA
Learn more
Johnson Controls can work with you to achieve your government energy efficiency and sustainability goals. Contact us to learn how to make your buildings work more efficiently, sustainably and profitably, or try our operations and energy savings calculator today.