ACRP Problem No. 12-03-03
Improving Standards-Based Collection and Verification of
Airport Surveys
ACRP Staff Comments: Consideration would need to be given in developing a research
objective to ensure no overlap with Problem Statement 12-03-02, Guidebook for Implementing
FAA’s Airports Geographic Information System (AGIS) Program.
TRB Aviation Group Committees Comments: AVIATION SYSTEM PLANNING CMTE Although this problem statement describes a timely issue, the root of the problem is that airports
are dealing with new FAA survey requirements for which changing and potentially confusing
guidance has been provided. Much of the work suggested in the problem statement might well
be accomplished by the FAA as it implements the new requirements and refines its guidance. It
is, perhaps, best to allow the new survey requirements to find equilibrium before beginning to
study the best ways for airports to meet them, lest we end up chasing a moving target. Not
recommended.
Review Panel Comments: Not recommended — The FAA is updating an advisory circular on
this issue. This problem statement is linked to Problem Statement 12-03-02, as both deal with
AGIS program.
AOC Disposition: No funds allocated. No discussion.
OUTLINE FOR AIRPORT COOPERATION RESEARCH
PROGRAM PROBLEM STATEMENTS
ACRP
I.
PROBLEM TITLE
Problem Number: 12-03-03
FY2012 Focus Area:
YES
NO
Improving Standards-Based Collection and Verification of Airport Surveys
II.
RESEARCH PROBLEM STATEMENT
Airports conduct surveys to ensure safe air navigation, meet regulatory and funding requirements, and
improve capacity. To improve the efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and quality of airport survey collection,
airports are strongly encouraged, if not required, to submit surveys to the Airports Geographic Information
System (AGIS) according to standards defined by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in Advisory
Circular (AC) 150/5300-18. This guidance is an FAA effort to create a standardized process for conducting
airport surveys. However, variation in familiarity with the new standards, inconsistencies and errors in the
standard itself, a lack of robust automatic verification procedures performed by the system, and an unclear
role for the National Geodetic Survey (NGS) in the verification process have created problems in
efficiently completing survey projects.
This inability to complete surveys presents significant safety, quality, efficiency, and funding concerns for
airports. Inconsistent or outdated information about airport infrastructure can create serious safety issues
for air navigation and lowers the quality of data provided to the National Airspace System (NAS). The
Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) program requires these airport surveys to develop global
positioning system (GPS) approach procedures that are aimed at enhancing airport safety and capacity.
Additionally, airports conduct surveys to create and maintain an Airport Layout Plan (ALP), a requirement
to receive funding through the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) or Passenger Facility Charge (PFC)
Program.
In order for airports to complete survey projects efficiently and in compliance with established standards,
surveyors must be able to process and submit surveys in the required format, the standards need to be
clearly defined, and verification procedures and processes should be streamlined.
III.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this research is to provide the first comprehensive evaluation of current airport survey
collection and verification processes involved in conducting airport surveys according to AC 150/5300-18
standards and guidance. This study will improve the safety, quality, cost-effectiveness, and efficiency of
airport operations by investigating how surveyors collect, process, and submit airport surveys, how AGIS
automatically verifies data upon submission, and how NGS or potential third-party vendors verify
compliance with survey standards. The evaluation will assess survey collection and verification best
practices, methods, procedures, and technologies, and ultimately result in a final report containing a set of
business rules for a system to perform automatic data verification, and recommended strategies for
improving AC 150/5300-18 standards and guidance.
IV.
RESEARCH PROPOSED
To achieve this objective, it will be necessary to (1) review existing standards and guidance, methods,
technologies, processes, and systems for collecting and verifying airport surveys, (2) develop performance
metrics to analyze existing survey collection systems, (3) conduct field work with airport surveyors to
identify how issues with standards and data processing during survey collection contribute to delays in
verification, (4) conduct field work with NGS to identify standards and systematic issues encountered
during data verification, and (5) analyze how improvements to the standards and implementation of
systematic enhancements can improve survey collection and verification.
V.
ESTIMATE OF THE PROBLEM FUNDING AND RESEARCH PERIOD
Recommended Funding: The funds necessary to accomplish the objective stated in Section III are
approximately $360,000.
Research Period: The estimated time needed to complete the research is 18 months, including 3 months
for review and revision of a draft final report.
VI.
URGENCY AND PAYOFF POTENTIAL
With new airport survey standards now in place, all airports receiving federal funding are currently
required to conduct new surveys to support improvements or modernization. Known issues with the survey
collection process are hindering the ability of airports to complete survey projects, ensure data quality and
safety of air navigation, and efficiently use funding administered through the AIP, PFC, and WAAS
programs to improve airport operations. Improving the identified factors affecting survey collection and
verification will improve the safety, quality, cost-effectiveness, and efficiency of airport operations.
VII. RELATED RESEARCH
CNA’s Air Traffic Management (ATM) Division has worked on the design, development, and operation of
the Third Party Survey System (TPSS) and AGIS to administer, collect, and process airport surveys. CNA
ATM has performed research to help define airport survey processes and standards in support of
Aeronautical Information Management (AIM) and the Office of Airports (ARP).
An ACRP project entitled, “Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) Deployment for Airport Obstruction
Surveys,” was published in ACRP Research Results Digest 10. This research focused on the use of LIDAR
technologies to conduct obstruction surveys and discusses a sample procurement specification developed to
facilitate design of a LIDAR-based survey.
A MITRE study entitled, “Independent Assessment of the Airport Surveying – Geographic Information
Systems (AGIS) Program,” detailed the NGS auditing process for verifying surveys submitted through
AGIS.
VIII. PERSON(S) DEVELOPING THE PROBLEM
Joseph Norton, PhD
Research Analyst, CNA
4825 Mark Center Drive
Alexandria, VA 22311
Office: 202-580-7497
Cell: 310-699-2977
Email: [email protected]
IX.
PROCESS USED TO DEVELOP PROBLEM STATEMENT
This problem statement was developed by CNA, a non-profit research and analysis institute. Researchers in
the CNA Air Traffic Management (ATM) Division identified the current problem statement through their
working relationship with airports and NGS and their involvement in working group meetings related to
airport survey collection. Joseph Norton, a CNA ATM Research Analyst, defined the current problem
statement based on discussions with the Aeronautical Survey Program (ASP) within NOAA/NGS, and with
FAA personnel in the Airports GIS program.
X.
DATE AND SUBMITTED BY
This problem statement was submitted on March 4, 2011 by:
Nicholas Hunter
Director of Contracts, CNA
4825 Mark Center Drive
Alexandria, VA 22311
Office: 703-824-2082
Email: [email protected]
Submit to:
Michael R. Salamone, C.M.
Manager—ACRP
Transportation Research Board
500 Fifth Street., N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20001
202/334-3224
FAX 202/334-2006