ACRP IdeaHub Research Projects

Should an airport be run by the City, an Authority, in partnership with a Private party (PPP) or totally privatized (European model). What will be the best option for the airport?

How can airports set up incubators unit to create a space for innovators to solve airport problems based on challenges placed on them from different departments? Then, using the resulting solution, partner (in terms of equity) with the innovators. Help them form companies that the airport can partner with. Then market to other airports.

To determine best practices for providing backup transportation within an airport for the following situations:

- Aircraft emergencies, where passengers must deplane an aircraft and be bused to a terminal

- Planned and unplanned outages of alternative intra-airport transportation systems such as trains.

Establish if and how recycled (pyrolyzed) carbon fibers can be used in place of virgin carbon fibers for achieving comparable performance at lower material costs.

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

ACRP Report 157 (Improving the Airport Customer Experience)(2017) found that airport arts programs play an important role in improving the customer experience at airports and that airports with such arts programs are among the most highly rated airports in the world. ACRP Synthesis 11-03/Topic S01-21 (The Benefits of Airport Arts Programs) surveyed and synthesized the the state of practice of airport rotating visual art... more »

Many airports have air traffic control tower (ATCT) facilities that were constructed more than 50 years ago and despite renovation and rehabilitation efforts, they are reaching the end of their useful life. Some do not meet updated FAA siting and design criteria, and other state-of-art practices. NATCA conducted a survey in 10 years ago (2007) that indicated over two-thirds of the ATCTs were rated as having fair to poor... more »

Develop updated academic curriculums and requirements to cultivate airport industry professionals to meet existing and future needs.

Identify how AI could impact staffing needs and skill sets.

Update ACRP Report 40: Airport Curbside and Terminal Area Roadway Operations to reflect latest practice and focus on curbside/roadway management..

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 »

To develop carbon offset methodologies for both commercial and general aviation airports that generate revenue.

The objective of this research is to develop a guidebook to help airport practitioners identify and quantify benefits, costs and the economic impact of business diversity programs.

A guidebook containing valuable information for airport managers and planners, including case studies and the identification of best practices to assist airport internal and external stakeholders in optimizing the usefulness of the master planning process, and ways in which said process can help airport managers articulate to the external public and stakeholders the need to solve challenges they face:

- Stakeholder involvement... more »

The end result should provide best practices that will enable airports to plan facilities (e.g. Daycare), streamline socioeconomic policies and educational programs.