ACRP IdeaHub Synthesis Topics

The objective of this research is to create a database of performance benchmarks for airport facilities. Airport staff need a better understanding of key operational metrics associated with building performance in order to improve efficiency, decrease operating costs, and reduce environmental impacts. A standard system which normalizes for weather, location, carbon intensity of utility supplied energy, and airport specific... more »

The objective of this research is to create a guidebook of Aircraft Characteristics. The first step is a synthesis that summarizes the data sources available for determining Aircraft Characteristics for airport planning, design, construction, and operation. The characteristics would include at a minimum Aircraft Approach Category (AAC), Airplane Design Group (ADG), Taxiway Design Group (TDG), wingspan, tail height, length,... more »

This project proposes a look into building design and furniture layout for protection of the general public and airport employees during an active shooter event.

A synthesis that would allow a cross the board runway length determination analysis.

Progressive design-build (PDB) has proven to generate both time and cost savings on a number of major airport projects because its qualifications-based selection of the DB team, combined with a negotiated construction price reduces the time it takes airports to procure the DB contractor and reduces the contingencies buried in a typical DB lump sum price. An assembly of PDB best practices would provide the foundation for... more »

Building Information Modeling is mainly used for design & construction phase of an airport project. Ultimately, if stated in the project contract requirements, as-constructed model data is transitioned to Asset Management platform used by Airport Facilities Management team. Hence, the intent of BIM is to represent a physical space digitally for construction purpose and not to address daily occupancy and utilization of... more »

This synthesis would analyze the current state, feasibility, and interest of airports and the FAA to use recycled concrete aggregates as constituents in a concrete mix design of new airfield rigid concrete pavements.

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 »

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.

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »