Enhancing airport mobility with real-time shuttle tracking: A case study from the world’s busiest airport

Overview

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport consistently ranks as the world’s busiest airport, handling over 100 million passengers annually. With such a high volume of travelers, smooth and stress-free airport navigation is critical. A particular challenge the airport faced was the lack of real-time information for passengers moving between the domestic and international terminals. While shuttle services were in place, passengers had little to no visibility into shuttle arrival times, leading to confusion, anxiety, and frustration during an already time-sensitive journey. Long queues, repeated enquiries to staff, and uncertainty at shuttle stops were common experiences for travelers, particularly those under pressure to make connections.

The airport recognised this as a vital opportunity to improve the passenger experience, reduce unnecessary congestion, and modernize its ground operations. The solution: implement a system that could provide real-time shuttle arrival predictions and integrate that information across multiple digital channels, from mobile apps to in-terminal signage. To deliver this, the airport partnered with transit data specialists Ito.

Ito’s role

Ito was selected for its proven track record in transforming complex transit systems into reliable, real-time mobility solutions. The goal was to develop the airport’s first General Transit Feed Specification–Real Time (GTFS-RT) feed for the inter-terminal shuttle service, enabling live shuttle tracking and accurate arrival predictions.

Working closely with the airport’s technology and operations teams, Ito designed and implemented a solution that combined static GTFS data with live location information from Samsara GPS trackers installed on each shuttle vehicle. The system translated vehicle location data into real-time predictions, creating a reliable and scalable GTFS-RT feed that could power both internal systems and third-party mobility apps.

The key elements of the solution included:

• Real-time GTFS-RT integration: Ito developed the airport’s first real-time feed for the inter-terminal shuttle, establishing the foundation for live updates.
• GPS-based vehicle tracking: Samsara devices were installed across the shuttle fleet to stream accurate location data, ensuring continuous monitoring and timely updates.
• Seamless data distribution: The real-time information was made accessible across the airport’s internal platforms and shared with third-party services, including popular mobility apps used by travelers.
• Passenger-facing improvements: Real-time arrival predictions were displayed on digital signage and available via mobile apps, helping passengers plan their movement with greater confidence and clarity.

Challenges addressed

One of the most significant operational pain points prior to the project was the lack of transparency around shuttle wait times. With no digital signage or app-based updates, passengers relied entirely on staff instructions or visual guesses—sometimes missing shuttles or experiencing unnecessary stress while transferring between terminals.

The implementation of GTFS-RT not only addressed this but also helped airport staff manage traffic flow more proactively. With real-time visibility into shuttle movements, ground teams could anticipate crowding, adapt scheduling, and better communicate with passengers during peak hours.

Results & impact

The impact of the project was immediate, delivering tangible improvements to both passenger experience and airport operations:

• Increased passenger confidence: Real-time visibility into shuttle locations gave travelers greater certainty during inter-terminal transfers. Anxiety and confusion were replaced by clear, actionable information.
• Improved operational efficiency: Live tracking allowed for better shuttle fleet utilisation and reduced wait times at shuttle stops, resulting in smoother overall passenger flow.
• Scalable and replicable model: The successful deployment at Hartsfield-Jackson created a blueprint for how GTFS-RT can be effectively applied in high-volume airport environments. Other major airports seeking to improve their internal mobility operations can learn from this model.

The project demonstrated how high-quality transit data can directly contribute to reducing stress, increasing reliability, and modernising the traveler experience. What was once a common frustration for millions of passengers—uncertainty around how and when to move between terminals—was transformed into a streamlined, data-driven process.

Looking ahead

This initiative marked a significant milestone in the digital transformation of airport mobility services. By combining accurate vehicle telemetry, industry-standard data formats, and smart distribution channels, the solution elevated expectations for what airport shuttle services can deliver.

Ito’s work not only solved a long-standing challenge but also reinforced the airport’s commitment to passenger-first innovation. As other airports begin to assess similar needs, this case study stands as a compelling example of how the right data infrastructure can deliver results quickly and at scale.