Airport Cooperative Research Program FY 2012

Transcription

1 Airport Cooperative Research Program FY 2012 Announcement of Airport Research Projects August 2011 The Vision 100 Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act established the Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP). The ACRP undertakes research and other technical activities in response to the needs of airport operators on various airport issues involving administration, environment, legal, policy, planning, safety, security, human resources, design, construction, maintenance, and operations at airports. The ACRP is sponsored by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and managed by the National Academies, through the Transportation Research Board (TRB), in coordination with Airports Council International-North America, Airport Consultants Council, American Association of Airport Executives, National Association of State Aviation Officials, and Air Transport Association of America. Although funding for the Fiscal Year 2012 program has not yet been decided by Congress and the FAA, the ACRP Oversight Committee (AOC), the governing board for the program, met on July 17 and 18, 2011, and in anticipation of continued funding selected projects for the Fiscal Year 2012 program. The purpose of this announcement is to inform the airport industry and research community of these projects. This announcement contains excerpts from original problem statements, along with guidance from the AOC to introduce the selected projects to the airport industry and research community. If fiscal year 2012 funding is provided, detailed project statements (e.g., requests for proposals) formally soliciting research proposals for these projects are expected to be released starting in November ACRP project statements are available only on the World Wide Web. Each project statement will be announced by e- mail. A form to register for notification of project statements is available at ACRP s website, Research project statements will be posted at the same Internet address when they are active. The ACRP is an applied, contract research program with the objective of developing near-term solutions to problems facing airport-operating agencies. Proposals should evidence strong capabilities gained through extensive, successful experiences. Any research agency interested in submitting a proposal should first make a frank and thorough self-appraisal to determine whether or not it possesses the capability and experience necessary to ensure successful completion of the project. The specifications for preparing proposals are set forth in a brochure, Information and Instructions for Preparing Proposals, available at the website referenced above. Proposals will be rejected if they are not prepared in strict conformance with the section entitled, Instructions for Preparing and Submitting Proposals. Address inquiries to: Michael R. Salamone, CM Manager, Airport Cooperative Research Program Transportation Research Board 500 Fifth Street NW Washington, DC / msalamone@nas.edu

2 Airport Cooperative Research Program Projects in the Fiscal Year 2012 Program Project No. Title Page Evaluating and Forming Airport-Airline Consortiums Risk Assessment for Capital and Maintenance Projects at Airports Understanding Green Energy Technologies and Their Effects on Airports Applying Whole Effluent Toxicity Testing to Evaluate Airport Runoff Climate Change Adaption Planning: Risk Assessment for Airports Improving Take-off Thrust Setting Estimates for Airport Emissions Inventories Evaluating Air Quality Monitoring and Public Health Studies for Airports Economic Impacts of U.S. Airports Enhancing Location Models for Runway Safety Area Analysis Terminal Evacuation Planning Aircraft Ramp Design and Configuration General Aviation Facility Planning and Design Reducing Energy Use & Maintenance Cost with On-demand Escalators and Moving Walkways Airport Parking Structure Lighting Alternatives Recommissioning and Re-tuning Airport Facilities Evaluating Computer Maintenance Management System Practices Sustainable Practices for Airport Maintenance and Operations Airport Maintenance Roles in Planning, Design, Construction, Commissioning, and Activation Enhancing Compatibility of Storm Water and Wildlife Management Plans at Airports Managing Through the Fence Operations at Airports Educating Responders on NIMS at Airports Designing Solutions for Disrupted Operations Guide to Airport Winter Operations /Task 20 Developing Problem Statements on Information Technology Issues at Airports /Task 21 Innovative Airport Responses to Threatened / Endangered Species /S01-05 Synthesis of Airport Organizational Structures /S02-07 Synthesis of Using Airport Contracts to Enhance Environmental Performance /S02-08 Synthesis of Environmental Assessments of High Speed Rail and Air Corridors /S04-09 Synthesis of Emergency Management and Mutual Aid Agreements for Airports

3 Summary of Approved Research Projects Project Evaluating and Forming Airport-Airline Consortiums Research Field: Administration Allocation: $400,000 Airports and airlines continue to work together to deliver cost effective and quality services to passengers and users. As such, they seek new and effective strategies to better manage airport facilities, equipment, systems, and services. Generally, the airport operator or individual airlines maintain these facilities, equipment, systems, and services. Occasionally, they are managed and maintained by consortiums. Airports usually have played a limited role in these consortiums, but are looking for information to increase their understanding, evaluation, and perhaps acceptance of and participation in consortiums. An ACRP synthesis study recently described several current consortiums arrangements and found that the consortium model is flexible and can be adapted to fit many circumstances and requirements. The consortium model has been applied successfully in a number of unique situations. Guidance on structure, organization, governance, membership provisions, scope, administrative and operational staffing, adopted performance standards, capitalization, and cost allocation methodology is needed to help airports through a deliberate discussion with the stakeholders involved. The objective of this research is to prepare an informational guidebook for airport operators and airline representatives who are responsible for maintenance or management agreements related to airport facilities, equipment, systems, and services and who may be interested in evaluating, advocating, or supporting consortiums to provide needed services. Project Risk Assessment for Capital and Maintenance Projects at Airports Research Field: Administration Allocation: $300,000 Cost overrun and schedule delay have plagued infrastructure projects for decades. As projects get more complex in terms of technical issues, length of development period, and number of third-party stakeholders, estimating the cost and duration of projects has become more difficult. In the past three decades various practices have been developed to help owners maintain better control over project cost and schedule. One approach that has gained attention in the past eight years is a formal risk assessment process conducted at the beginning of major transportation projects. This process explicitly considers cost and schedule uncertainties for modeling project cost and duration. Using these probabilistic models, cost and schedule contingencies can be calculated. Further, by conducting a thorough risk assessment, major project risks are identified so that mitigation strategies can be considered to prepare the management team for effective project management. Benefits of a risk assessment approach include better communication among project team members including owner, designer, and, in some cases, design-builder. The results of risk assessment in early stages of complex projects will allow the owner or project champions to educate the public and other stakeholders on the possible range of project cost and duration. Experience with large highway projects has shown that when the public is aware of potential causes of cost increase or project delay, they are more receptive to accepting the consequences. The objective of this research is to develop a guidebook that will describe in clear, easy-tofollow language, the process of conducting an effective risk assessment for the capital or maintenance airport project under consideration. The guidebook will clearly describe the process 3

4 of validating the project cost and schedule estimates; identification of cost and schedule risks; quantification of risks; and development of budget contingency and a risk mitigation plan for coping with the identified risk factors. Project Understanding Green Energy Technologies and Their Effects on Airports Research Field: Environment Allocation: $450,000 New energy technologies must consider aviation safety and airport safety concerns. The FAA has recently published Technical Guidance for Evaluating Selected Solar Technologies on Airports (November 2010). The ACRP Synthesis S , Investigating Safety Impacts of Energy Technologies on Airports and Aviation, now in publication, is taking another step in focusing on the effects various energy technologies have directly on airports. Initial findings and discussions with experts suggest, though, that the scope of the safety hazards is much greater, extending far beyond the immediate airport environs. This proposal expands upon existing research and FAA guidance and would evaluate the effects energy technologies have on the entire air transportation system, including airplanes in flight, away from the airport environment. The objective of this research is to produce a guidebook that may be utilized by airports and other stakeholders to assess and mitigate potentially negative impacts that green energy technology may have on airports and aviation. Using results of existing FAA guidance and ACRP synthesis of practice, this research would identify which emerging energy technologies impact the overall air transportation system, including all locations away from airports; assess existing analysis techniques used to determine which represent safety hazards to the air transportation system; identify roles and responsibilities of individual energy infrastructure developers and agencies that may impact safety to airports and aviation from energy technologies; and develop approaches to assess and mitigate these potentially negative impacts where appropriate. Project Applying Whole Effluent Toxicity Testing to Evaluate Airport Runoff Research Field: Environment Allocation: $500,000 Whole Effluent Toxicity (WET) refers to the aggregate effect to aquatic organisms from all pollutants contained in a facilities wastewater. WET tests measure wastewater s effect on specific test organisms ability to survive, grow, and reproduce. The WET test methodology consists of exposing living organisms, such as water fleas (Ceriodaphnia dubia) and fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) to various concentrations of a sample facility s wastewater effluent stream. WET test results are used by the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting authority to determine whether a facility s permit will need to include specific WET-related requirements. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and various state permitting authorities have required some airports to conduct WET testing of storm water runoff from portions of the airport where pavement and aircraft deicing occurs to evaluate the potential toxicity of the effluent to aquatic organisms in the receiving waters. The results of the testing are then used to determine if additional sampling or corrective actions will be required. The use of the WET testing procedure has some inherent problems when applied to the evaluation of airport storm water runoff containing deicing chemicals. The results of the laboratory-conducted WET tests may, therefore, result in erroneously high approximations of the toxicity of the effluent to receiving water organisms, and unnecessary and costly permit conditions may be mandated. The objective of this research is to evaluate the accuracy of the current WET test procedures with regard to storm water runoff containing 4

5 deicing chemicals, to identify potential changes to the procedure that would more closely actual field conditions, and to develop a standardized version of the procedures as they apply to airport deicing issues. Project Climate Change Adaption Planning: Risk Assessment for Airports Research Field: Environment Allocation: $500,000 Climate change is likely to have subtle and dramatic effects on airports, introducing another adaptation challenge to airport operators. Airports occupy large acreage, often encompass multiple watersheds, and are sited in many diverse environments. The potential climate change impacts and adaptation actions will vary widely. Other Department of Transportation agencies and a number of states and their subdivisions are undertaking planning efforts to address adaptation to climate impacts. Recent guidance from the Council on Environmental Quality will require the FAA and other federal agencies to consider the effects of climate on proposed projects during National Environmental Policy Act review. The objective of this research is to examine vulnerability and risk to airports through a series of case studies and evaluate in depth the projected impacts of global climate change at a number of candidate airports. The airports would be chosen to reflect both possible coastal (sea level rise) and inland (high heat events) issues. Project Improving Take-off Thrust Setting Estimates for Airport Emissions Inventories Research Field: Environment Allocation: $450,000 The take-off roll contributes a large fraction (typically 40%) of ground-level NO X emissions from aircraft. Although the duration of the roll is relatively short, the emission rate is high because both emission index (g NO X per kg fuel) and fuel flow (kg/s) increase with thrust for most aircraft types, so that NO X emission rate is roughly proportional to the square of thrust. This also means that the emission rate is very sensitive to the thrust used. Although NO X emissions are particularly sensitive to thrust, fuel use (and therefore CO 2 and other emissions) are also thrust-dependent. At many airports, aircraft routinely use less than full thrust when taking off, primarily to reduce wear on the engines and increase the life of the high temperature components. The extent of this thrust reduction is limited by operational regulations, but may be as much as a 25% reduction from full thrust and may be greater if engine derate is used as well. However, the actual thrust settings used on take-off are not readily available to compilers of inventories, leading to uncertainty in the results of airport emission inventories for pollutants such as NO X, PM and CO 2, and in modeled ambient concentrations around airports. One existing method for estimating take-off thrust is based on the ratio of actual take-off weight to performance-limited take-off weight; however, both of these numbers can be difficult to obtain either on a per-movement basis or on a more aggregated (e.g., per-airline, per-aircraft type) basis. The objective of this research is to develop an improved methodology for potential inclusion in the AEDT for estimating aircraft take-off thrust settings for a wide variety of commercial and general aviation aircraft, suitable for use in compiling airport emissions inventories. The input data for the methodology should be simple, readily available, high-level data such as aircraft type, operator, airport type, simple meteorological parameters, and also be able to make proper use of flight data recorder and radar information if available. The model that is developed should be able to predict generalized thrust settings across all movements and resultant emissions. 5

6 Project Evaluating Air Quality Monitoring and Public Health Studies for Airports Research Field: Environment Allocation: $200,000 The communities surrounding airports have become increasingly concerned with the potential impacts to air quality and public health from airport operations. A number of air quality and health studies have been completed to date and several more are underway at airports across the country, including Los Angeles International, Boston Logan, T.F. Green, and Santa Monica. Most of these studies have been required by state regulatory agencies or legislated in response to airport improvement projects, or the public health concerns from local government or citizen groups. A variety of monitoring and analysis methods have been used to evaluate the potential air quality impacts from airports. This includes discrete air sampling with laboratory analysis; on-site, real time analysis of pollutants; health surveys of residents near airports; and air quality modeling based on airport operational scenarios. Study budgets have varied significantly from under $100K to several million dollars. Study durations have varied from days or weeks to several years. Funding for studies has come from a variety of sources but typically must be funded by the airport. The objective of this research is to compile relevant information on airport air quality and public health studies in the United States and Europe. The results of this research would provide an understanding of how each of these studies fit into the current state of the practice. Project Economic Impacts of U.S. Airports Research Field: Policy and Planning Allocation: $400,000 The economic impact of airports is typically assessed at a local or regional level to educate communities about how their airport(s) contribute to the area s economy and to justify airport infrastructure investments to local policy makers. An unfulfilled need exists at the national level to educate policy makers and the public about the importance of airports to the economy of the United States, particularly at a time when key decision makers and other stakeholders are debating what levels of funding to authorize and appropriate for airports, what changes if any to make to specific programs, and other issues that affect future investment in airports. Various entities such as the Air Transport Association (ATA) publish reports quantifying the importance to the national economy of the aviation industry overall, but the specific economic impact of airports nationwide is not available. The objective of this research is to quantify the importance of airports to the nation s economy, factoring in the impact of direct employment, wages, and spending at U.S. airports; assess the associated indirect impacts from off-airport supplying industries and visitors; and determine an appropriate multiplier at the national (macro) level to estimate the total economic impact of airports nationwide in a given year. The research will address the challenges of obtaining sufficiently detailed and consistent data across airports, documenting tenant investment at airports, and avoiding double-counting of impacts across the airport industry. The research will also ensure that the economic impacts of commercial service airports, all-cargo airports, and general aviation airports are all addressed. 6

7 Project Enhancing Location Models for Runway Safety Area Analysis Research Field: Safety Allocation: $200,000 ACRP Report 3: Analysis of Aircraft Overruns and Undershoots for Runway Safety Areas and ACRP Report 50: Improved Models for Risk Assessment of Runways Safety Areas provided significant advances to the analysis of RSAs. However, the industry requires more accurate models for veer-off incidents to allow similar analysis of runway separations to parallel taxiways and other objects. There is urgency to develop such risk-based capability to evaluate the potential of larger aircraft using existing airport facilities. The veer-off models for landing and takeoff recently completed under ACRP Report 50 do not address the location distribution of veer-off events along the runway to allow the consideration of specific obstacles in the vicinity of the runway (e.g., a line of aircraft waiting for takeoff in a parallel taxiway). Moreover the accuracy of existing runway excursion and undershoot location models may be enhanced by normalizing the distances for accidents involving obstacles (e.g., terminal buildings, equipment, or a ditch). Finally, these improvements must be incorporated into the analysis software and a validation of the new models must also be conducted. The objective of this research is to further enhance the veer-off models developed and presented in ACRP Report 50 by incorporating the probability distribution of longitudinal distance across the runway where these events may occur. In addition, a new set of location models will be developed with normalized data for accidents involving obstacles. Also, software developed by ACRP must be modified to incorporate the new models. Project Terminal Evacuation Planning Research Field: Safety Allocation: $325,000 Review of numerous airport emergency plans (AEPs) suggests that evacuation, shelter-inplace, and repopulation plans range from incomplete to inadequate to absent. Beyond planning, there are serious deficiencies in training, drilling, exercising, and mutual aid agreements. Recent events (e.g., security breaches, bomb scares, shootings, firebombings, and volcanic ash) created demands for sheltering in airports and show the importance of planning for evacuation, sheltering-in-place, and repopulation. Consideration must also include the elderly and physically challenged individuals. The objective of this research is to identify the different plans, methods, and techniques that are used throughout the industry to aid airport emergency management personnel in developing disaster preparedness plans. Project Aircraft Ramp Design and Configuration Research Field: Design Allocation: $250,000 The layout and marking of airport ramps/aprons should permit the efficient on- and off-loading of passengers, cargo, and mail, as well as aircraft servicing. Their design should consider the movement and physical characteristics of the aircraft to be served; the maneuvering, staging, and location of ground service equipment; the dimensional relationships of parked aircraft relative to the terminal or cargo building; and the safety, security, and operational practices related to ramp control. There exists, however, no document providing specific guidance on apron/ramp design. This has resulted in apron/ramp layouts and markings that not only vary from airport to airport but within airports as well. Improvements to 7

8 apron/ramp layouts would likely lead to improved operational efficiency and safety. The objective of this research is to develop recommended practices for planning, designing, and marking ramp/apron areas for typical uses (e.g., passenger and cargo) for all sizes of airports in the United States. Project General Aviation Facility Planning and Design Research Field: Design Allocation: $300,000 General aviation (GA) facilities, including terminal buildings, hangars, and aprons, need to accommodate an ever widening variety of aircraft types and activities. In addition, increasing attention is being placed on GA security. Appendix 5 of FAA Advisory Circular (AC) 150/ , Airport Design, which provides limited planning guidance for GA facilities, does not consider the wide range and different requirements of today s GA fleet, nor does it reflect the shift in storage preferences for GA aircraft owners or provide guidance for incorporating security into GA facility design. Airport sponsors, fixed based operators, and airport planners would benefit from improved methods for planning and designing GA facilities to respond to the dynamic nature of the industry. The objective of this research is to develop a guidebook that practitioners can use to design GA facilities, including terminals, aircraft parking and storage (i.e., based and transient tiedown areas, T-hangars, and conventional hangars), and support facilities. The guidebook would include methods to estimate facility requirements based on existing and forecast demand, safety and security, and the anticipated types of services to be provided; guidance for developing efficient, cost-effective facility layouts; and best practices for lighting, signage, and markings. Project Reducing Energy Use & Maintenance Cost with On-demand Escalators and Moving Walkways Research Field: Design Allocation: $250,000 Many airports require passenger processing circulation patterns that use multiple floor levels and lengthy walking distances. To increase efficiency, capacity, and the quality of customer service, facility designers have employed a variety of mechanized circulation devices, including elevators, escalators, and moving walkways. In addition to the capital expenditure associated with these mechanized devices, they also consume energy, contribute to increased air emissions, and require maintenance. Escalators and moving walkways are designed under U.S. elevator and escalator codes (ASME A17.1a- 2008) to operate in continuously moving modes as long as terminal facilities are open, which at major airports often equates to 24/7 operation, whether passengers are using the conveyances or not. This has been recognized to result in the unnecessary consumption of electricity, greater generation of air emissions, and increased maintenance costs. Many facilities outside the United States, including airports, feature on-demand passenger conveyance systems that sense passenger activity and either slow down or stop during periods with no demand, thereby reducing energy consumption, air emissions, and maintenance needs. These on-demand devices could prove to be beneficial at U.S. airports. The objectives of this research are to determine the potential benefits of on-demand escalators and moving walkways in terms of reduced energy use, air emissions, and maintenance costs, and to describe the implications of modifying elevator and escalator codes to permit these technologies in the United States. 8

9 Project Airport Parking Structure Lighting Alternatives Research Field: Maintenance Allocation: $300,000 There have been recent advancements that provide new strategies to airport operators for lighting parking structures, including the improved reliability and suitability of light emitting diode (LED) technology. Although this has resulted in more choices, most airports do not have the information or expertise needed to select and procure the most appropriate technologies. In addition, performance data for these new technologies is limited and primarily from manufacturers. Research is needed to conduct a comprehensive benefit-cost analysis of existing, traditional lighting systems (e.g., incandescent, fluorescent, induction) and new systems (such as LED), as well as to develop procurement specifications. The objective of this research is to provide an objective guide to lighting technologies for airport parking structures (including both the strengths and weaknesses of each), develop a model for a benefit-cost analysis of the various types, provide objective estimates of performance in the field, and provide guidance on developing procurement specifications. Project Recommissioning and Re-tuning Airport Facilities Research Field: Maintenance Allocation: $250,000 Many airports have invested in energy-efficient improvements such as upgrading heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems; upgrading building controls; and installing high-efficiency lighting. However, few have realized the financial benefits of implementing low-cost operational improvements, such as energy-related Operations and Maintenance (O&M) and building recommissioning. Even though the operations and maintenance budget constitutes a significant portion of an airport s overall budget, there are no industry-wide benchmarks to enable airports to assess the financial benefits of sustainable O&M measures, nor is there a list of generally accepted energy-saving best practices for building facilities. The objective of this research is to develop a guidebook for airport facility managers, engineers, and facility operators that provide recommended practices for airport facility control optimization and implementation of O&M measures. The guidebook also will serve as a detailed how-to manual for commissioning service providers, airport facility operation engineers, and technicians. The guidebook will introduce the best practice of low- or no-cost techniques; how to do the energy savings assessment; how to identify O&M energy savings opportunities; and recommend measures on each component. Project Evaluating Computer Maintenance Management System Practices Research Field: Maintenance Allocation: $300,000 Many airports are using computer maintenance management systems (CMMS) to increase the effectiveness of their maintenance programs through improved asset management, work order processing, inventory maintenance, and meeting safety requirements. Yet determining CMMS needs, selecting the appropriate product, and using, supporting, and maintaining a CMMS can be challenging for airports. Because the technologies and features of CMMS are rapidly changing, and because many airports may not have the expertise to select appropriate CMMS products, airports have sometimes invested in less-than-optimal systems, and have gotten locked into using proprietary products or products that provide either too much or insufficient levels of sophistication. Research is needed to develop guidance for airports to better understand the various management systems, select the 9

10 appropriate level of product sophistication, and determine how best to use it for their airport. The objective of this research is to provide guidance on selecting, operating, and supporting a computer based maintenance management system within the airport environment. Project Sustainable Practices for Airport Maintenance and Operations Research Field: Maintenance Allocation: $300,000 Sustainability practices are increasingly implemented into the areas of airport operations and maintenance. Often, airports are incorporating these initiatives in an ad-hoc manner, without the benefit of a comprehensive assessment of whether the measures are, in fact, sustainable for their particular situation. It is prudent for airports to assess the budgetary and operational implications of various sustainable practices, as some may require more maintenance and upkeep than originally anticipated. Yet the assessment of whether a particular practice is truly sustainable can be complex and may be beyond the existing expertise level of airport staff, and there is no guidance on how to assess the impact of sustainability practices on an airport s operations and budget. The objective of this research is to provide guidance for airports to help them more fully understand the budgetary and operations implications of undertaking the most common sustainability practices. Project Airport Maintenance Roles in Planning, Design, Construction, Commissioning, and Activation Research Field: Maintenance Allocation: $200,000 Airport maintenance personnel are often the first to recognize and identify issues with facilities and equipment that have been designed, installed, and activated. Many of these issues may have been averted had maintenance personnel been involved in the original decision-making process. As systems become more sophisticated and expensive and as there is greater attention to sustainability (e.g., life-cycle costs), the inclusion of individuals with handson maintenance experience at key decision points becomes even more valuable. Yet, for various reasons, firsthand maintenance experience is not often considered during the planning, design, construction, commissioning, and activation processes. These reasons can include a lack of awareness as to the value of their input, organizational or institutional factors, and communication issues. Research is needed to demonstrate the value of adding maintenance personnel to key decision points and to provide guidance on how to facilitate their participation at airports. The objective of this research is to assess the benefits of involving maintenance personnel in the planning, design, construction, and commissioning of capital projects and equipment and to provide guidance on how to maximize the benefit of their involvement. This research may include a review of current practice both within and outside the airport industry and use a case study approach. Project Enhancing Compatibility of Storm Water and Wildlife Management Plans at Airports Research Field: Maintenance Allocation: $250,000 Airports are required to manage storm water in terms of water quality and pollution control. Control methods often result in conflicts that arise from managing and minimizing runoff and related water pollution while maintaining safety, especially during winter storm-related activities. Resulting water pollution can be in direct conflict with wildlife management in the airport environment. There is a need for effective aviation storm water management plans that are 10

11 designed to be compatible with aviation wildlife management. FAA Advisory Circular B, Airport Winter Safety and Operations, offers little guidance on this issue, yet the problem can be significant. Airport managers would greatly benefit from a guidebook that identifies the potential areas of conflict between water pollution control and wildlife in the context of an airport storm water management plan and, in particular, how to mitigate or minimize those conflicts. The objective of this research is to identify the areas of conflict between storm water management and wildlife in terms of pollution control and to develop guidelines on how to minimize negative impacts while maximizing safety in all airport operations. Project Managing Through the Fence Operations at Airports Research Field: Operations Allocation: $350,000 A very significant issue faced by many general aviation airports specifically but applicable at all airports is managing access to airport property from adjacent non-airport property parcels that are called through the fence operations. Access to airport property is subject to specific FAA standards. A great number of existing access situations are legacies inherited from prior airport managers or managements and do not comply with FAA standards. Some airports are completely land constrained and/or are unable to buy adjacent property; in those cases, a through the fence agreement may be a tool of last resort. However, regardless of the history behind the agreement, airports that continue or adopt a through the fence agreement risk being subject to FAA compliance enforcement actions and/or sanctions. Issues with through the fence operations include the risk of creating or exacerbating problems in the areas of safety, equity to on-airport users, unfair competition with on-airport services, land use compatibility, and security. The objective of this research is to evaluate national and comprehensively typical through the fence operation issues and challenges; identify how they came to be; and provide practical and plain language guidance on alternatives for managing and controlling these situations. The guidebook would provide onpoint guidance for maintaining, or improving, compliance with FAA grant assurance requirements with respect to through the fence operations while concurrently managing associated problems with airport safety, equitable airport fees, airport user equity, unfair competition, land use compatibility and security for those airports who must use a through the fence agreement as a last resort. Project Educating Responders on NIMS at Airports Research Field: Operations Allocation: $200,000 As the requirement for airports to integrate the National Incident Management System (NIMS) is now mandated, not all airport employees or even their mutual aid partners are well versed on NIMS requirements. FEMA provides comprehensive resources to become NIMS compliant, but for smaller airports there may be a lack of awareness of these tools and resources; they may not be sharing it with enough of their staff members; and/or their mutual aid partners also may not be sufficiently aware of the resources. The objective of this research is to gather the resources that are available with respect to NIMS training, the necessity of the training, which employees should be trained, what level of training they should receive, and how to integrate it into their emergency response with their mutual aid partners. 11

12 Project Designing Solutions for Disrupted Operations Research Field: Operations Allocation: $300,000 Disrupted operations frequently arise due to both random irregular phenomenon and planned activities resulting from either natural causes such as weather (i.e., thunderstorms, snow storms, fog, hurricanes) or due to anthropogenic actions (i.e., air traffic directives such as ground delay programs, disruptive human activities demonstrations, management/labor actions, airport maintenance or construction activities, terrorist activities or alerts, etc.). Current planning and investment evaluation and investment approaches do not adequately capture the costs incurred as a result of such affected operations. Current practice in these areas relies principally on either generally accepted design practices handed down over time (i.e., use of peak month average day with standard ratios of space to loading), or more formalized cost benefit analysis or investment analyses designed around normal operating conditions. Evolving practices, roles, and costs have changed the way many react to disrupted operations. The old rules may no longer be a useful guide in valuing, designing, and investing in the future aviation infrastructure. What is needed is a renewed examination of current practices for dealing with disrupted operations (i.e., the three hour tarmac rule, collaborative decision making in ATC operations, etc.) through a comprehensive examination of today s practice to discern the best current practices for the analysis and valuation of NextGen developments that incorporate airports roles in coordination with airlines and air traffic control actions. The objective of this research is to develop a comprehensive understanding and taxonomy of the current state of the art in practices and associated attributes regarding infrastructure designs and procedures that are utilized for the management of disrupted aviation operations. This review should cover the three principal actors involved: airports, airlines, and air traffic control. Public policies regarding security, public safety, hazardous substance or environmental factors, consumer protection, etc. may also be considered as constraining and/or supporting resources. Project Guide to Airport Winter Operations Research Field: Operations Allocation: $400,000 Recent events at airports during which extensive snow fall totally disrupted operations illustrates the importance of adequately preparing for winter operations. This guidebook will serve as a compendium of best practices for airport winter operations and provide guidance on expected weather conditions, including airline expectations and a methodology to determine optimal levels of investment in staffing and equipment for efficient airport winter operations. Research into climate change should also be considered complementary to this project. The objective of this research is to identify the different methods and techniques that airports utilize during winter operations, provide guidance as it relates to the expected winter conditions, and understand how the different airline expectations for different winter events will have an impact on airport operations. Project 11-02/Task 20 Developing Problem Statements on Information Technology Issues at Airports. Research Field: Allocation: Special Projects Panel Nominations Only Information technology (IT) and the business applications that use IT permeate every aspect or function of the airport operation. Yet, limited information is readily available to airport operators regarding the factors that should be considered as changes occur to the maintenance, administration, or operation of the airport or to the available technology itself. The ACRP 12

13 wishes to identify issues related to IT that could benefit from applied research and be immediately put into practice upon completion. ACRP will be facilitating a special discussion for practitioners with interest and responsibility for the oversight of IT at airports. No research contracts are anticipated at this time. The objective of this discussion will be to identify and develop a handful of research ideas related to IT and impacting airports that could benefit from ACRP research. Participants will outline the need, objective, and preliminary scope of the research ideas that are discussed. Project 11-02/Task 21 Innovative Airport Responses to Threatened / Endangered Species. Research Field: Special Projects Allocation: $110,000 Airport operations and maintenance can be significantly constrained by the presence of fish and wildlife species that are listed as sensitive, threatened, or endangered. Protective measures may be imposed at the local and state level, but the most common source of these measures is probably the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA). ESA listings of avian species, for example, may create potential liabilities for aircraft operations, routine airfield maintenance, and aviation wildlife hazard management. In addition, ESA listings may complicate or even prevent development, both airside and landside, or dramatically increase costs. Also, many airports are located near undeveloped land or water bodies that can harbor listed species. Even airports located in heavily urbanized areas may serve as habitat for listed species because of the relatively undisturbed land contained within their borders. The objective of this research is to explore the options available to airports facing ESA (or ESA like) constraints, with a focus on options that precede species listings. It is likely that the options most often explored have been CCAs, SHAs, and HCPs under the federal ESA regime, but there may be other mechanisms as well. In the absence of aviation experience, the research might explore agreements and permits from non-aviation contexts. The work product would be a resource guide with case studies to assist airport operators in developing responses to listings. Project 11-03/S01-05 Synthesis of Airport Organizational Structures Research Field: Special Projects Allocation: $40,000 A well-understood and effective organizational structure can greatly assist an airport in meeting strategic and business goals. Many times, the development of a strategic plan or articulation of business goals leads an airport operator to examine and modify the organizational structure to better achieve those goals. The objective of this synthesis is to provide airport operators with a synthesis of organizational charts, with functional roles and key staff in order to support success of strategic and business plans. The intended audience for this synthesis of practice is airport executives and their governing boards. This synthesis will explore the role and types of airport governance and organizational structures and their effectiveness in meeting the strategic goals of airport executives and their governing bodies. Project 11-03/S02-07 Synthesis of Using Airport Contracts to Enhance Environmental Performance. Research Field: Special Projects Allocation: $40,000 Airport operators routinely use contractual agreements for facility operations, goods and services. Many contracts specify performance and reporting to insure that contractual obligations are met. Local regulations and development permits obligate airport operators to operate in specified ways and report on environmental performance. Because agreements with tenants and concessionaires are often long-term in nature, environmental 13

14 obligations and reporting requirements are not typically included in those agreements. Nonetheless, these same tenants and concessionaires may actually be the entity responsible for achieving regulatory or permit compliance for environmental performance. This synthesis of airport practice he objective will collect and describe current literature and practice in order to provide airport operators with information regarding effective practices and ways to implement obligations for meeting environmental needs and wants into contractual agreements. The intended audience for this synthesis is airport properties, contract and financial managers responsible for airport contractual agreements. This synthesis will identify contract types typically entered into by airport or transportation facility operators; practices where performance obligations and reporting are included in contracts for both environmental and non-environmental-related performance; and experience of airport operators using airport contracts to attain environmental performance, including financial cost and benefits. Project 11-03/S02-08 Synthesis of Environmental Assessments of High Speed Rail and Air Corridors. Research Field: Special Projects Allocation: $40,000 There is ACRP research underway examining the business rationale for linking high speed rail and air corridors in the United States, and complimentary and competitive issues between modes. However, this research does not extend to environmental effects or life-cycle costs for each. There is a need to understand the environmental effects of passenger travel using air corridors versus high-speed rail corridors. Much of the press surrounding recent investments in high speed rail infrastructure is focused on the environmental benefits. For example, the American High Speed Rail Alliance indicates that carbon would be significantly reduced by cancelling automobile and airplane trips. Within this statement are assumptions about environmental trade-offs and ridership that are unknown and untested. Indepth environmental assessments are needed to understand the total costs of long-distance travel. Additionally, in our deregulated system the mere presence of improved rail service does not directly translate into reduced trips on other modes, but rather means a more diverse set of modes from which passengers may choose and an increasingly competitive market. Europe and Japan have more mature passenger high speed rail systems that complement and compete with air travel corridors, and operators have undertaken analyses that provide some information on the analysis of air quality and climate (e.g., greenhouse gas emissions), noise, and life-cycle costs. Also, there is substantial analytic work found in analysis of high speed rail proposal in California. Airport operators and rail system planners could use information gathered in one location to answer question posed by the interested public regarding environmental costs and benefits and high speed rail and air corridors. This synthesis of airport practice will collect and describe current literature and information from practitioners regarding the environmental effects of high speed rail and air corridors. The intended audience includes airport operators, planners, and their colleagues in similar positions responsible for high speed passenger rail investments. Project 11-03/S04-09 Synthesis of Emergency Management and Mutual Aid Agreements for Airports. Research Field: Special Projects Allocation: $40,000 Many airport operators enter into emergency management and mutual aid agreements with local partners to leverage airport emergency response capabilities. Commercial service airports host aircraft rescue and fire fighting facilities (ARFF) on-airport. Although ARFF may be the primary responder to an airport emergency, there likely are outside resources 14

15 that augment ARFF capabilities in case of an aircraft accident or incident or a disaster effecting airport facilities. Conversely, some airports respond to off-airport emergencies for natural and man-made disasters. Many local emergency management and mutual aid agreements are generalized in jurisdiction regulations for emergency response, but many also are written plans and agreements. This synthesis of airport practice will assist airport operators and their local partners in creating and sustaining effective emergency management and mutual aid partnerships by synthesizing the specifics of existing agreements that save mutual aid partners time, effort, and money in managing emergencies. The intended audience includes airport operations managers, personnel responsible for emergency response, and local emergency responders that serve as partners with airports. 15