ACRP-Problem-No-10-03-33.pdf

ACRP Problem No. 10-03-33 Recommended: No International Airport Studies Program ACRP Staff Innovative approach to knowledge and technology transfer between domestic and international airports. The process should be directed by a project panel and result in documented, published results. TRB Aviation Group Aviation Group Executive Board: This is a pretty broadbrush approach. To try to touch upon all 10 areas would be impossible. Might be better to focus on one area alone. ACI world group already fosters international travel to learn from peers, so it might not be necessary through ACRP. Panel for Future Finance & Business Strategies Emphasis The Emphasis Area Panel considered this problem statement as worthy for inclusion in the ACRP research program. Value to exchange of practice and technology. Investigate opportunities for academic or professional credit. Specify topic themes that are relevant and timely to airports and suggest real-time web-type of interactive log so non- participants can follow annual tour. ACRP Screening Panel This proposal should be discussed by ACRP Oversight Committee for topic is sensitive for consideration. Emphasis Area: Future Finance and Business Strategies A AC CR RP P Problem Number Problem Number 10-03-33 RRD 5 Topic Multiple I. PROBLEM TITLE International Airport Studies Program II. RESEARCH PROBLEM STATEMENT The primary purpose of an International Airport Studies Program (IASP) will be to broaden the professional development of U.S. airport professionals in management positions at airport agencies and non-operating agencies that play a major role in planning or financing or operating airports. It is modeled on the highly successful Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) International Transit Studies Program (ITSP) or J- 03 project. The program gives these airport professionals opportunities to meet with airport agency staff in cities around the world where they learn first-hand how various airports are planned, funded, and operated within communities of different sizes and types. The program should be established to enhance the knowledge and understanding of future leaders of the U.S. public airport industry and further develop a well functioning U.S. airport system. The program provides participants with the opportunity to visit airports abroad and obtain new insights and knowledge that are useful to their organizations, the industry, and their own airport career advancement and expands the network of domestic and international contacts that they can draw on in addressing public airport issues in the future. Personal contact with new ideas and their application is a valuable means for information exchange. U.S. transit professionals have visited their colleagues in other countries and returned with information that they have subsequently communicated to their domestic colleagues and seen applied to improving domestic practice. Likewise, IASP mission participants are expected to share their international experience with their organizations and the U.S. airport industry as a whole. Each participant will be required to prepare a trip report on an element of the mission. These trip reports are then consolidated into a mission report for ACRP publication and dissemination to the airport industry. Each study mission is to be centered around one of the 58 current and emerging issues facing the U.S. airport industry as identified in RRD 5. Cities to be visited are selected on the basis of their ability to demonstrate new ideas or unique approaches to handling the issue reflected in the study mission's theme. Study missions would be conducted in the spring and fall of each year. Study teams typically consist of 14 individualsan executive director/airport manager designated as team leader, 12 participants, and a representative of the IASP contractor team responsible for the smooth operation of the mission. The team leader and participants for each mission are selected via an on open nomination processes. An ACRP Project oversight panel would strives to balance mission membership by professional qualifications, discipline, geography, gender, and ethnicity. All travel expenses associated with the study mission would be covered by the program. III. OBJECTIVE The objective of this project is to establish the IASP for up to 5 years, contingent on annual extensions based on acceptable performance. The initial contract period of the project will cover the spring 2010, fall 2010, and spring 2011study missions. Up to $500,000 will be made available for this initial contract term. Given the lead time necessary to plan and prepare for the spring 2010 mission, it is expected that the initial contract resulting from this procurement will be executed on or about October 1, 2009 and will cover the period through May 30, 2011. Subsequent contract amendments will be executed on a calendar year basis to cover the spring and fall missions in each year. The program focuses primarily on professional development and providing practical guidance in addressing the 10 newly defined critical issues: Environmental and Energy Sustainability Operations and Maintenance Finance Planning, Design, and Construction of Facilities and Infrastructure Policy and Strategic Planning Safety and Security Governance, Management, and Administration Business Strategies Emergencies and Disaster Management Systems Development IV. RESEARCH PROPOSED The primary research/element of the program is to conduct of two international study missions per year in which teams of airport professionals visit exemplary airport operations in other countries. Each study mission focuses on a theme that encompasses defined critical issues. Cities to be visited are selected on the basis of their ability to demonstrate new ideas or unique approaches to handling airport challenges reflected in the study mission's theme. Each study mission begins with a briefing before departing on an intensive, 2-week mission. After this professional interaction, mission participants return home with ideas for possible application in their own communities. Participants are encouraged to share their international experience and findings with peers in the airport community throughout the U.S. To assist in this effort, each participant is required to prepare a trip report on an element of the mission agreed to in advance by the group. These trip reports are then consolidated into a mission report for ACRP publication and dissemination to the airport industry. Study missions would be conducted in the Spring and Fall of each year. Study teams will consist of 14 individualsa senior airport manager designated as team leader, 12 participants, and a representative of the IASP contractor team responsible for the smooth operation of the mission. The team leader and participants for each mission are selected on the basis of open nomination processes for each. All travel expenses associated with the study mission are covered by the program. V. ESTIMATE OF THE PROBLEM FUNDING AND RESEARCH PERIOD Recommended Funding: Estimated $500,000.00 (FY 10) Research Period: 12 months to insure a successful 1st year VI. URGENCY AND PAYOFF POTENTIAL A well-functioning airport system that will allow for equal U.S. participation in the global economy for the foreseeable future will require the continual sharing of current knowledge, practices and technology. This study will broaden the professional development of U.S. airport managers by providing them with opportunities to visit airport systems abroad, returning with insights and knowledge useful to their organizations, the national industry, and their own personal career advancement. VII. RELATED RESEARCH Several programs at the TRB have implemented similar programs which can be models for the success of the proposed study. The TCRP J-03 International Transit Studies Program has held over 25 successful missions. There are also the following programs: -NCHRP 20-36 Highway Research and Technology - -International Information Sharing -NCHRP 20-68A US Domestic Scan Program VIII. PERSON(S) DEVELOPING THE PROBLEM Geoffrey A. Rabinowitz Airport Advantage Consulting 61 East Broadway, Suite 2 Bloomington, MN 55425 grabinowitzAACgmail.com 2 3 IX. PROCESS USED TO DEVELOP PROBLEM STATEMENT This problem statement is the product of an individual. X. DATE AND SUBMITTED BY April 9, 2009 Geoffrey A. Rabinowitz Submit to: Michael R. Salamone, C.M. ACRP Manager Transportation Research Board 500 Fifth Street., N.W. Washington, D.C. 20001 202/334-3224 FAX 202/334-2006