Runway Expansion Research Articles

3D conditional random fields simulation for rockfill compaction quality assessment with sparse EVD measurement

The compaction quality of rockfill materials plays a pivotal role in ensuring the stability and durability of runway structures. However, traditional assessment methods relying on limited random sampling may lack representativeness for the entire construction site and overlook potential areas of insufficient compaction. Addressing this challenge, this paper employs the dynamic deformation modulus (EVD), a rapid and nondestructive testing method, to assess the compaction quality of runway rockfill. Subsequently, this paper propose a 3D Conditional Random Field (CRF) model based on EVD to simulate the uncertain spatial distribution of rockfill compaction quality, allowing for the estimation of the overall construction area's compaction quality with a limited number of sample points. The validity of the model is demonstrated through a case study involving a runway expansion project. Additionally, three critical construction factors--namely, measurement points, compaction passes, and compaction materials--are analyzed throughout the construction process. This analysis provides managers with valuable insights and decision-making tools to promptly evaluate the quality of compaction areas, ensuring the stability and durability of the runway.

Assessing habitat connectivity in environmental impact assessment: a case-study in the UK context

ABSTRACT Ecological connectivity across landscapes is vital for the maintenance of biodiversity and the processes that enable life on earth. Despite this, environmental planning decisions are usually made at the scale of individual projects, failing to account for landscape-scale impacts. Incorporating habitat connectivity analysis in Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) could provide an opportunity to address this gap. We present a novel approach to model habitat connectivity in an EIA undertaken for the Heathrow Third Runway Expansion Project, a proposed development in south-east England. Drawing on field data, remote sensing, and species-specific literature reviews, a circuit theory approach was used to assess functional connectivity across the project landscape for grass snakes Natrix helvetica and soprano pipistrelles Pipistrellus pygmaeus. Results indicated key areas for species movement and potential ‘pinch-points’ vulnerable to development impacts. We discuss lessons learnt, potential applications to inform impact assessment, mitigation design, and biodiversity net gain approaches, and further work required to mainstream connectivity analyses in EIA and decision-making.

MAIN TRENDS IN DEVELOPMENT OF MODERN AIRPORTS

The article highlights the experience of design and construction with the expansion of existing airports, considers the factors that shape the development trends of modern international airports. Some general principles and methods of expansion of international airports are revealed. The formation of modern airports is influenced by many factors, primarily socio-economic and trends in air transport. In the last 20, 30 years, the largest percentage of the world's reconstruction is with the mandatory expansion of airports. Thus, the main issues of development of modern airports are the principles and methods of their expansion. Additional factors influencing the reconstruction of modern airports are issues of terrorist and virological security. If the issue of terrorist threats has influenced functional decisions for several decades, the virological threat is quite new and requires a comprehensive study and implementation of new measures of various kinds. Also, the purpose of the reconstruction of modern airports is to improve the level of comfort and safety, which are the main factors in the marketing struggle for air passengers and air cargo. The publication considers several typical modern examples of airport reconstruction, both in Europe and in the post-Soviet space - Kutaisi (Georgia), Marseille (France), Oslo (Norway), Amsterdam (Netherlands). The publication highlights that the expansion of the airport requires some mandatory stages. Namely, determining the appropriateness of the expansion and the main functional tasks for which this expansion should take place, determining the principles and techniques by which the expansion of the terminal will be most rational, determine whether the increase in passenger traffic requires runway expansion, determine how the increase in passenger traffic additional functions (parking, trade and food services, etc.).
 Of the above examples of expansion of modern airports, the most accurate is the method of expansion, which is a kind of symbiosis of building a new terminal with redistribution of functions between the new and old terminal, and with the simultaneous addition of necessary planning transitions and galleries.

Healthy settings in an airport planning context: Lessons from the Sydney experience

Abstract Issue Airports provide infrastructure for an industry situated between economic development and environmental detriment. In Western Sydney, a new international airport is being built in an area of sustained population growth. To proactively address the transformation created by the airport, a research hub in South Western Sydney began in 2015 to prepare a health promotion and protection agenda surrounding the airport. Description The concept of an airport that proactively addresses social determinants of health (equity) was introduced, and has been met with in-principle positive support from aviation-related stakeholders. However, follow through with demonstrated commitment has been limited. An exploration of the policy domain of the Western Sydney airport region was undertaken to identify the organisations involved and the control they exert over key determinants of health (equity) and their interrelationship. The intent was to gauge urban health professionals' ability to influence change within the airport planning and development process. Results The analysis shows that power within airport planning is spread widely vertically and horizontally. Despite having a centralised planning organisation, decision making authority is dispersed across multiple levels of public and private governance within the wider airport region. Organisations are bound by (or defer to) higher level regulatory guidelines or legislation for technical aspects of airport planning. Those with more flexible influence lack incentive to engage with broader public health activities. Lessons Lobbying for better public health outcomes has bypassed the complex planning system within airport development settings. Opportunities exist to influence planning through formal and non-formal structures for specific “wins”. However, thinking outside a health box may provide the biggest opportunity for change yet, as shown by the successful legal blocking of the Heathrow runway expansion by climate change activists. Key messages Airports as major urban infrastructure sit under complex organisational structures both in their development and management. Public health responses need to be more targeted and innovative in advocacy and engagement.

Application of Mammoth Vibro-Tamper (MVT) for the shallow compaction at airport runway expansion project in Florida

At the runway expansion project in the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International airport in Florida (FLL project), there are complicated geotechnical issues that lots of cavities in the limestone-loose sand mixed ground are existing in the shallow area. The Broward County Aviation Department (BCAD), the owner of the project, has required to collapsing the cavities and compacting the runway foundation to secure the take-off and landing of aircrafts. Mammoth Vibro-Tamper (MVT) was proposed and accepted as the alternative to the originally specified Deep Dynamic Compaction (DDC) for the runway with its length of 2.4km and area of 477,000 m2. In this report, the shallow compaction effect and vibration reduction effects by MVT are presented in comparison with the DDC.

Congested Hubs, the EU Slot Regulation and Incentives to Invest

We examine the slot management regime used in the EU and investigate how it may in the short run lead to inefficient outcomes and in the long run discourage support for expanded airport capacity. Slot administration is used to balance demand and supply when capacity is in short supply. Because airports are not permitted to, or do not, charge market-clearing prices for scarce runway capacity, airlines set fares to clear the market. In doing so they earn significant rents. These rents exist regardless of who owns the slots or if the slots are or are not concentrated in a few hands. The distribution of rents will depend on slot ownership. The EU regulations limiting incumbent airlines’ access to newly available slots does nothing to affect airfares. Restricting 50 percent of new capacity to new entrants will also exacerbate incumbents’ reluctance to support runway capacity expansion since they lose scarcity rent and potentially market share. The paper illustrates our argument using the current debate concerning runway expansion at Heathrow and Gatwick.

Analysis of Construction Safety Features and Assurance Measures for the Runway Expansion Project in Qingyang Airport

In order to ensure the safety of the runway expansion project in Qingyang airport, the paper conduct an in-depth analysis of construction safety features from the aspects of construction machinery and equipment, intercrossed construction, the construction team, the surrounding environment, and the construction time limit. First of all, measures are taken in terms of the safety regulatory agencies, the responsibility realization, related management systems, safety publicity, and three-level education. Then further measures are taken from the aspects of safety investment, safety facilities, hazardous source identification, and on-site safety management. These measures work together to make the whole project construction process without any security accidents and realize the intended goal.

Understanding Nonfiscal Barriers to Airport Development and Exploring Federal Policy Solutions

Airport development projects are vulnerable to an array of nonfiscal challenges that can significantly delay or prevent projects. Through a survey of 20 airports, this research paper identifies important nonfiscal barriers to airport development and analyzes their characteristics and potential effects on the development process. In addition, a thorough literature review as well as meetings with industry professionals and FAA staff was used to explore resulting challenges and examine potential federal policy solutions. Research findings have revealed that community opposition, political opposition, airport stakeholder opposition, land availability, and environmental requirements are the most frequent nonfiscal challenges to airport development. These nonfiscal challenges have resulted in a lengthy and highly complex process in which runway expansion projects take a significant amount of time to complete. The impact on the national aviation system warrants a serious commitment by the federal government to address these nonfiscal challenges. Specifically, the federal government needs to tackle these obstacles more aggressively by expanding programs and reforming policies. By acquiring a better understanding of the nonfiscal challenges to airport development and exploring federal policy solutions, aviation system planners can move closer to achieving capacity, safety, and environmental goals.

A predictive noise study regarding the proposed Cincinnati Muncipal Airport expansion

A noise study was performed on the landing path of runway 21L of Cincinnati Municipal Airport to determine the effect of the runway expansion project set to begin in 2005. Sound pressure levels were acquired along the landing path branches to evaluate the eight-hour Leq and the test data were compared to those predicted by the Integrated Noise Model (INM) software. The test data line up to the modeled results within 3.5 dB, an amount that can be explained by weather patterns and other environmental noise variables. The model shows that the 65 dB Day/Night Level (DNL) contour area could negatively affect 46 residents near the airport. Suggestions for the expansion plans include a detailed review of all relevant noise issues using an appropriate computer model.

Short-Term Delay Mitigation Strategies for San Francisco International Airport

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is typical of many large airports in that rapid growth in air travel has outpaced its available runway capacity, leading to serious delays. At the same time, SFO represents a unique circumstance because of the role of its local climate, and thus careful analysis is required to address its delay situation. The airport is in the process of planning a major runway reconfiguration project that would largely solve the problem of weather-related congestion delays, but this massive project will take many years. Presented are the results of an effort to design potential short-term strategies to reduce weatherrelated congestion delay at SFO while the runway reconfiguration proceeds. Designing measures to reduce delay outside the context of runway expansion is a complex task that requires balancing multiple considerations—issues of equity, access, legal jurisdiction—along with considerations of efficiency and airport performance. The kinds of thinking and analysis required in considering these types of delay-reduction measures are explored.

Potential Environmental Impacts Related to Proposed Runway Expansion at Toronto's International Airport

Abstract Major emissions from aircraft jet engines include CO, C02, NOx, N20, SOx, and NMHC. Although all internal combustion engines produce these emissions, jet engines cycle large amounts of air under high temperature and pressure and hence produce significant quantities of the oxides of nitrogen. These emissions affect the environment at local, regional, and global levels. Lester B. Pearson International Airport (LBPIA), situated in the northwest portion of metropolitan Toronto, is the busiest in Canada, acting as a hub with at least one-third of alt scheduled air carrier operations in Canada itinerant through LBPIA. In order to relieve the congestion and delay in air traffic passing through LBPIA, Transport Canada has proposed the construction of three more runways. An alternative to runway expansion is to cap the existing facilities and shift the short-haul traffic to alternate modes (train or automobile). Comparison of the three modes on a short-haul trip (Toronto-Montreal) shows that, on a grams per passenger kilometer basis, the LRC train produces the least amounts of CO, NMHC, N20, and C02, and the 1988 automobile the least amount of NOx. Travel by DC 10-30 aircraft always produces the highest quantity of each gas emitted. Of the emissions from combustion processes in aircraft, none contribute more than 3% of the total emissions of that gas per year in Canada. Thus, any reductions achieved through modal substitution will be less than 1% of the totals for each gas generated annually in Canada, which is not a significant reduction in absolute terms. These reductions, however, represent a step toward the goals of emission reduction and, moreover, would cause an improvement in the distribution of these gases in the environment.