ACRP IdeaHub Research Projects

Review the tools and practices currently being used to conduct airfield pavement conditions.

The objective of this research project is to provide U.S. airport operators with guidance regarding the potential roles "virtual" ATCTs and ramp control towers can play at their facilities, and their major components and supporting technologies, and the advantages and disadvantages of these virtual facilities relative to their traditional counterparts.
The project also will provide guidance regarding how airport operators,... more »

Airports are increasingly interested in bringing multi-disciplines together in a common environment to improve collaborative decision making during regular and irregular operations. Guidance on how to plan and design for these centers is needed.

Develop a simplified airport emissions inventory tool for criteria pollutants.

The objectives of this research project are to:
• Create an electronic resources library – preferably a website. This searchable electronic library should provide an inventory of available publications including the abstracts and index of ACRP research documents and non-ACRP research documents related to airside planning, design and operations.
• Recommend a process for keeping the website up-to-date.
• Identify which... more »

Demonstrate an autonomous system that meets flight requirements for

small airports and commercial operators.

Guidance on holisitic master planning that goes beyond just future

facility and infrastructure that includes the sub categories such as IT,

Operations, Security and Maintenance as examples. It would also provide guidance on how to develop a "plan" for the ancillary operating areas and how important components may be rolled into a true master plan

The objective of this research project is to develop more topic-specific in-depth training courses and materials to build upon the courses developed under the 02-61 project to create an "Airport Stormwater 201" curriculum.

Develop airport-specific Incident Command System training courses at the ICS-100 and ICS-200 levels that meets NIMS training standards as established by the National Incident Management System Training Program.

New research that identifies and describes the cognitive abilities used in airfield operations, as well as the limitations and potential complications of current practices. The research should identify methods for mitigating risks inherent to human performance and should identify and/or recommend best practices for developing or improving these abilities.

This is a proposal for a two-day ACRP Insight Event on the Future of Aviation at the Beckman Center. The findings from this event would be used to help develop an ACRP future of aviation research roadmap (please see below for more details). The proposed location is recommended due to its closer proximity to key aviation and technology companies and thought leaders who may be interested in planning and/or participating... more »

More than 14,000 wildlife strikes were reported to the Federal Aviation Administration in 2017. Globally, wildlife strikes have killed more than 287 people and destroyed over 263 aircraft from 1988 through November 2018 (Dolbeer and Begier. 2019). To warn pilots of potential wildlife hazards, airports often include generic language in the Automated Terminal Information System (ATIS) or Notices to Airmen (NOTAM) that does... more »

The goal of this research idea is to develop a predictive model of jet blast exposure based on local parameters (taxiway slope, operating conditions, aircraft operator practices, temperature, types of aircraft, etc.). This model will be based on jet blast measurements performed at various airports of different size and traffic in the U.S.

The 2,455 General Aviation Airports in the U.S. provide essential services that are uniquely available through this type of airport. A Resilience Management Plan, although expensive to contract and complicated to create, may be critical to protecting the continuity of these services. This research project provides operators with the tools necessary to effectively and efficiently develop their own Resilience Management... more »

A lot of talent goes through the terminals daily. Airports can solicit targetted feedback on specific projects and initiatives from the travelers. There is no better source or time since the customers are in the right state of mind to provide feedback that affects them.