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 »

By understanding what other airports are doing in the very wide subject area of sustainability, it may spur airports to try different means of conserving energy, recycling materials, or otherwise improving its sustainability practices. By looking not only at the practices, but the results, the challenges to implementation, and the costs of implementation, airports will be provided with guidance to improve their practices... more »

Sustainability and environmental mitigation are rapidly being incorporated into construction efforts at airports to mitigate and offset environmental impacts such as air emissions, water quality issues, etc. Naturally, every airport and their associated construction efforts and ability to incorporate sustainability vary on multiple fronts. This effort would provide a synthesis of construction sustainability and environmental... more »

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 »

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 »

Create, collect, and analyze data from an Airfield Electrical Infrastructure Survey that documents product types, installation methods and maintenance methods of airfield electrical equipment.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/K6X5FCB

Joint construction of asphalt pavements is critical for pavement performance. While some airports will pave their runways in echelon, other techniques can be used to effectively ensure joint performance. This synthesis would provide a state of the practice on joint construction and provide insight for airfields to determine the best options for specifications.