ACRP IdeaHub Synthesis Topics

Some major U.S. airports have train service that brings airport passengers and employees to and from the airport terminal while delegating passengers and employees who use the public bus to the peripheral. Many airport passengers and employees must then use an airport shuttle system to access the public bus station or curbside airport terminal. Airports of moderate size may have public bus stations within a safe walking... more »

Imagine an opportunity to increase customer experience, positively impact MBR, resolve congestion for boarding lines and enhance facility usage, all with a new idea for managing gate operations. All of this can be accomplished by removing the standard millwork podiums at gates and incorporating mobile carts for the agents. Similar to what you would see nurses using for patients, using a cart the gate agents will have... more »

In 2020, ACRP Synthesis 108 was published based on 2018 data. This synthesis established an important (and previously unavailable) baseline about the fixed base operator (FBO) industry. Much has happened at GA airports and to business and personal flying during the pandemic.  It would be valuable to the GA airport community to reassess/update the analysis presented in Synthesis 108 and reflect on new services and business... more »

The Covid-19 Pandemic has had a more deleterious effect on the worldwide aviation system than anything that has come since the Wright Brothers first set wing to wind in the early 1900's, eclipsing even the impacts associated with the September 11th attacks in 2001. The governmental guidelines (in some municipalities, stated as requirements), for physical distancing (the now-infamous six-foot rule), may work manually and... more »

The expected benefits of the deployment of autonomous shuttles include a more efficient transportation system and improved safety. However, there are still many challenges that need to be addressed and resolved prior to the full deployment of such technology. These challenges can be summarized into five categories of (1) technology development; (2) user acceptance; (3) safety; (4) social and economic issues; and (5) regulations,... more »

This Synthesis will document the various landside transportation data being gathered at airports, the data collection methods, the interpretation of data, and the application of data in decision-making.

About 15% of American adults suffer some level of fear (aviophobia). While some of them avoid flying almost totally, there are 15% that are passengers* passing through a US airport and experiencing aviophobia from boarding their upcoming flight. This fear, exacerbated to some extent by various factors within the airport's control, impacts passenger experience, their behavior before, during, and after boarding their plane.... more »

The profession can benefit from a synthesis and assessment of practices applied at airports and elsewhere.

This synthesis study will examine how US and International airports have responded to the capacity "crunch" caused by the current COVID crisis due to the need to provide for increased social distancing, infection testing, vaccination documentation verification, etc... Such an analysis will not only help disseminate ideas to assist airports in the short run as airports emerge from this crisis but will also provide guidance... more »

Synthesis of case studies showcasing what has worked well and what has not, to give examples of alignment between airport operators and land use jurisdictions. States might take different approaches from each other, and understanding these differences could be valuable.

Survey of National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) and other aviation groups to ascertain what is done to make land use planning required by communities affected by airports.

Synthesis or toolkit of FAA regulations relative to land use. Such a resource would note any conflicts between FAA requirements and local land use rules and policies.

Compilation of case studies and lab research door concrete that reaches 30,000 psi compressive, 4,000 psi flexural strength. Allow Airport industry to benefit from lessons learned in highway applications. Look at rapid placement, plastic failure mode instead of rigid, lower cost, thinner overall pavement section due to ability to spread loads to a wider subgrade area, possible reduced labor and equipment cost and potential... more »

ACRP Synthesis S20-01-24 ("Examples of Airports Providing Facility Space for Community Use") surveyed airports of all sizes and found that many airports provide space or property for parks and recreational use and that airports not currently providing such space were curious about developing such uses. The surveyed airports reported that providing land for parks and recreational use provided significant benefits, including... more »

Advanced air mobility (AAM) is a broad concept enabling consumers access to on-demand air mobility, cargo and package delivery, healthcare applications, and emergency services through an integrated and connected multimodal transportation network. However, a number of challenges could impact AAM's growth potential, such as the public acceptance of autonomous flight, the availability of departure and arrival stations, electric/hydrogen... more »