The Complexity and Future of CONRAC Facilities

Let’s break it down.

This is the public-facing part of the facility, like an airport terminal. It includes rental counters, waiting areas, restrooms, and sometimes retail or concession space. Rental car companies understand the power of branding, and the CSB offers an opportunity to make that first impression on customers.

Some rental car facilities take a “mini-mall” approach, where each company gets a designated leased area rather than a shared linear counter. This can allow for more flexible layouts and future upgrades. The future of the CSB will likely evolve, especially as more renters skip the counter via app-based check-in.

The ready/return garage is where customers pick up and drop off their vehicles. Unlike typical garages, these areas have higher ceilings, bright lighting, and visible branding. Rental companies often display premium vehicles near the escalators to entice last-minute upgrades.

A key metric in CONRAC planning is walking distance. If customers have to walk more than 350 feet from the lobby to their car, that can negatively impact the customer experience. That’s why designers strategically place vertical cores and escalator access points throughout the garage.

The QTA is the operation’s engine room. After a vehicle is returned, it’s shuttled to the QTA, often via bridges or ramps, for cleaning, fueling, vacuuming, and light maintenance. Vehicles then return to the ready deck for the next customer.

Modern QTAs are often stacked, meaning multilevel fueling and wash operations. In this scenario, cars don’t need to change levels to reach the QTA and can be turned around faster. This introduces a host of engineering and code challenges. For example, fueling within buildings larger than four cars or above grade requires special code variances and often additional life safety and fire protection mitigations like foam deluge systems.

CONRACs are designed to last for decades, and that means anticipating future needs. Here are a few key trends influencing today’s designs.

As rental car companies gradually adopt electric fleets, CONRACs must be able to support EV charging. So far, most airports opt for “EV-ready” infrastructure (e.g., conduit and space allocation) rather than full installations on day one. However, fire safety and code language around EV charging in garages are still evolving, and design teams must stay nimble.

Market share among rental brands can change over time, and CONRACs need to be able to reallocate space without costly renovations. That’s why floorplates, signage, and circulation are designed for easy reconfiguration. Rental car companies owned by the same parent company are grouped on the same level to take advantage of shared staff and amenities to improve operational efficiency.

While autonomous vehicles are not yet a factor in most rental fleets, the conversation is already happening. In the future, CONRACs could integrate with mobility hubs, offering rental cars and rideshare pickup, e-bikes, or even electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) access points. That is why scalability and access planning matter more than ever.

Rental car facilities present unique challenges beyond architecture and engineering. A few key considerations include:

• Intersection Management: With customers, employees, cars, and buses in motion, safe and intuitive circulation is critical.
• Water Management: Especially in freezing climates, runoff from car washes must be carefully drained or managed.
• Construction Phasing: Because CONRACs often replace existing operations, careful phasing is needed to avoid disrupting airport access or rental operations.
• Cost Control: Modern CONRACs can range from $40 million to $2 billion. Right-sizing the facility and managing stakeholder expectations is essential.

At GFT, we understand that CONRACs are more than just buildings. They’re complex systems that must serve travelers, operators, and airports simultaneously. Our multidisciplinary teams combine architectural design, structural engineering, transportation planning, and stakeholder facilitation to deliver efficient, flexible, and forward-thinking airport infrastructure solutions.

Whether working with a major hub like Chicago O’Hare International Airport or a growing regional airport like Tulsa International, we bring proven experience, national best practices, and a deep understanding of what it takes to get these facilities right.

When it comes to CONRACs, success means much more than parking cars. It means keeping passengers moving and operations thriving now and into the future.