ACRP IdeaHub Research Projects

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 »

The goal of this research project is to provide airport operators with guidance and tools to evaluate the effectiveness of their Wildlife Hazard Management Plan (WHMP) to reduce wildlife strike risks to aviation.

The objective is to update the guidance and software for calculating airport construction emissions in order to:

• Incorporate the latest construction practices and regulatory requirements.

• Calculate emissions through the latest version of MOVES.

• Integrate applicable modifications to ACRP Report 102 and the Airport Construction Emissions Inventory Tool (ACEIT)

Develop guidance and best practices that will inform capital asset and new/replacement/renewal project managers on how to ensure that maintenance departments are capable of properly maintaining the assets and immediately assuming responsibility for them after project completion/turnover. These recommendations will focus on the accurate, effective, and timely development and delivery of capital project assets and asset... more »

New technologies continue to arise regarding the ability to coordinate for the shared use of smaller business aircraft, in turn creating increasing pressure to provide such services to the general public, in turn creating significant conflicts between just what is – and what is not – permitted under 14 C.F.R. Part 91. Additionally, eVTOL aircraft are rapidly under development and moving to the demonstration stage, creating... more »

A research project that would allow across the board runway length determination analysis.

In 2010, the ACRP published Report 30: Reference Guide on Understanding Common Use at Airports. Since that time, the airport strategies for implementation of common use and the technological solutions have significantly changed. Today, there is a greater focus on the "seamless passenger journey", providing new common use options, introducing technology innovations, and adapting to new business models. The research proposed... more »

Baggage Handling Systems (BHS) are critical pieces of infrastructure at every airport. They are large, complex, and costly to operate, and their lack of performance can have massive impacts on airport, airlines, and passengers. The research aims to provide airport stakeholders with a set of tools to make the best, transparent decisions regarding their BHS from a total cost of ownership perspective. Expanding on current... more »

The research project would assess the current state of all-hazards crisis management and its relationship to business continuity and business resilience for airports and airport authorities across the U.S. Through benchmarking, the project team would assess current airport capabilities, and identify needs, gaps, and opportunities for improving airport enterprise-wide resilience. Results of the study would inform a guidebook... more »

Airport and related aviation organizations generate and absorb large amounts of data, particularly geospatial data such as CAD, GIS, BIM, LiDAR, and aerial imagery. How can airports leadership and staff learn from industry best practices, including from others such as university campuses, in terms of effectively managing the flow of data to facility operations, maintenance, and other end-users, so they are not held up... more »

Define evidence-based, practical tools for airports interested in supporting anti-human trafficking efforts, through a project that complements and keep step with efforts at the USDOT and FAA, as well as those of a Congressionally-directed Federal Advisory Committee and its recommendation, due out July 3, 2019.

Air traveler volume is rising year over year, placing strain on airport facilities' ability to process passengers efficiently and effectively in an operational footprint constrained by long-term capital investments. Additionally, airports must continuously mitigate against the risk posed by the "insider threat." Biometrics (e.g. fingerprint, facial, iris recognition) have the potential to mitigate these risks, capture... more »

The proposed research will extend the findings of previous ACRP research to describe how changes in air service connectivity will effect regional economic development. A spreadsheet model, workbook and user guide will be developed from this research for use by airports, state aviation agencies and, in addition, by regional planning and economic development organizations to allow economic benefits of improved air service... more »

Airport teams are ramping up innovation labs, centers and executive level positions to support critical thinking, strategy and innovation. Airports need an approach to innovation that is powerful, effective and broadly assessable, that can integrate into all aspects of the business and region, and that individuals and teams can use to generate breakthrough ideas that are implemented and have a meaningful impact in the... more »

This project will create a practical guide that provides airport managers and other key personnel with day-to-day strategies to help combat human trafficking at airports. The need for this guidance was identified at the May 2018 ACRP insight event on economic and social sustainability.