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The proposed research is designed to develop a comprehensive series of awards to recognize the achievement of individuals who have studied and mastered specific topical ACRP Reports, related Syntheses, webcasts, and other materials. Participants are recognized through a system of badges, medallions, and certificates. This program loosely emulates the iconic Boy Scout/Girl Scout Merit Badge programs.

Airports need to build resilience and understand the potential long term impacts of climate change. However, they bump up against costs of implementing projects with resilience elements because there is little aviation specific data regarding the return of investment of such projects and the overall financial risks of climate change. Additionally, as insurance and the availability to retain loans gets more in line with... more »

The purpose of this idea is to engage in a research process to develop an airport industry Guidebook and Toolkit on topics related to implementing a positive culture and enhancing the employee experience within airports. The end product would be a set of user-friendly products to guide airports in enhancing their culture and employee experience to improve retention.

Airports are increasingly interested in bringing multi-discipline subject matter experts together in a common environment to improve collaborative decision making during regular and irregular operations. Guidance on how to plan and design for these centers is needed.

As air travel rebounds from the COVID pandemic, the aviation industry will again be under increasing public pressure (i.e. flight shaming) to decarbonize its operations to align with the global goal of "net zero carbon emissions by 2050." Some airports are already being asked by local officials, regulatory agencies, and NGOs to identify their planned strategies and milestones to meet this long-term target. The proposed... more »

Airports are collecting and processing a large amount of data from a traveler, including but not limited to personal identification, medical records (COVID-19 related), and biometric information. The guidebook intends to analyze the status quo of how US airports handle data privacy and to inform airport stakeholders of a comprehensive strategy to guide them towards better data privacy management.

Virtually building a "digital twin" of an airport is becoming increasingly popular by architects and engineers who need to more efficiently plan, design, and build; staff who need to effectively operate and maintain these complex facilities; and managers who constantly need to make informed decisions. The concepts behind a digital twin (e.g. graphical representation of facilities, recording current status of assets, systems... more »

It is proposed to conduct legal research to produce a survey of Federal, state, and foreign privacy laws applicable to the collection and use of biometric technology by the air industry, analyses and categorization of pertinent laws, and their requirements, and a discussion of practices best designed to foster compliance.

For airports considering transitioning to electric equipment at Central Utility Plants to meet air quality regulations and sustainability goals, there is a need for a comprehensive evaluation of appropriate alternative technologies (including costs), retrofits needed, and strategies to minimize life cycle costs of new equipment. A model of potential energy, water, and greenhouse gas reductions is also needed to inform... more »

To improve the ACRP Airport Microgrid Implementation Toolkit ("the Toolkit") project funded through ACRP (ACRP 10-26: Airport Microgrid Implementation Toolkit)by updating cost and technology information and identifying a long-term host.

ACRP 10-26 generated a potentially unprecedented level of media and government interest in a TRB project including coverage in CNBC and a formal progress inquiry from Congress. Microgrids... more »

A Service Operator Model (SOM) is a business model for airports to consider adopting which is a change for most U.S. airports from a landlord management approach to a more collaborative business approach by managing all of the functional areas of the passenger journey. The Guidance will describe initial steps such as developing the business model that fits your airport.

When a natural disaster or accident disrupts the airfield lighting and electrical system, the lack of staff or available local qualified airfield electricians may seriously delay the recovery of airfield operations. Airfield electrical systems are inherently dangerous; therefore, special training is required to maintain safely.

Small airports—that is, general aviation, non-hub, and small hub airports—can benefit significantly by integrating standard business planning with all aspects of resiliency planning.

Update the report to provide airports with the latest regulatory requirements, best practices, case studies, etc. for improving environmental management at small airports.

The data in the original report and supporting the tool is from 1990-2000, and airports need guidance and information based on the latest climate data to accurately assess risk and plan mitigation strategies. This research update idea was developed as part of project ACRP 11-02/39, Environmental Products Update and is one of the priorities identified by the research team and through industry outreach.