Airport Research Needs Cooperative Solutions -- Special Report 272 (2003) / Chapter Skim
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4 Options and Proposal for an Airport Cooperative Research Program
4 Options and Proposal for an Airport Cooperative Research Program
Pages 73-88
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From page 73... ...
Articulate expected research products and assist with dissemination of re search results.
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From page 74... ...
Models of Governance Existing cooperative research programs offer various models of governing boards, each structured differently but with many of the same essential functions. The National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP)
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The 28-member Transit Oversight and Project Selection panel is appointed by a nonprofit entity created by the American Public Transportation Association, whose membership includes transit operators, suppliers, consultants, and other public agencies. This model of governance, in which operators make up a slight majority but not the entirety of the board, provides an opportunity for a wide spectrum of the industry to participate in the program.
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From page 76... ...
Dues-paying members are entitled to serve on the board, regardless of the member's status as a construction contractor, supplier, or participant from another industry segment. CII's approach to governance ensures that the research program addresses the needs of those who are both the funders and the ultimate users of the research.
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It is directed by two governing boards working in tandem. One is composed of program sponsors and the other of external advisors from public utility commissions, environmental groups, universities, and government agencies.
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What is most important is that the base funding be sufficient in size and reliability, remain insulated from outside influences, and prompt broad constituent participation, especially by airport operators. Of course, the program may permit special or supplemental funding for particular projects of interest to individual government agencies, airport operators, and users.
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From page 79... ...
The funds may be derived from a single source, such as the Aviation Trust Fund, or from multiple sources, such as the trust fund and a share of other federal funds devoted to specific airport activities, such as security. Such a funding scheme could better ensure that the program covers a wide range of research needs shared by many airport types and would avoid the costly process of collecting voluntary contributions from thousands of airports.
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From page 80... ...
Too few airports are likely to have the resources to commit funds to such a program on a sustained basis, and the process of collecting voluntary payments from hundreds, or even thousands, of airport sponsors is likely to prove unwieldy and costly. An alternative that does not require mass voluntary contributions from airports but that maintains a connection between airport operators and users as program sponsors is likely to be required.
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It will be responsible for processing contracts and research agreements, supporting and arranging meetings of the governing board and technical panels, administering program funds, involving users in the program, and disseminating the results of research. The choice of an organization to manage the program involves a number of considerations.
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From page 82... ...
However, this model is not an inexpensive approach to research. Convening technical panels to oversee projects, soliciting and reviewing proposals from contractors, and maintaining a professional staff of research managers all require a financial commitment.
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Finally, it is conceivable that the existing federal airport research enterprise could host a program created to meet research needs identified by airport operators. The Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA's)
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As noted in Chapter 1, airport operators used more than 17 percent of Airport Improvement Program funds for security-related project in FY 2002. Research that involves airport operators and that is coordinated with other airport research activities will thus warrant a significant role in the program and funding on the part of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
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From page 85... ...
The proposal calls for participation by representatives of four specific federal agencies, because they have crucial roles in airport funding, regulation, and research. With regard to airport users, most of the public travels on airlines, and this travel generates most of the revenues that support the nation's
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With the need for a board that is of manageable size in mind, the committee also suggests avenues for the participation of other airport users and individuals knowledgeable about airport infrastructure, operations, and research. As a first step, a nonprofit research institute will need to be designated to appoint and host an Airport Research Governing Board responsible for setting the policies and providing guidance for ACRP research.
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From page 87... ...
Secretariat activities include soliciting research needs, scheduling and preparing agendas for board meetings, collecting and tabulating board member ballots on research priorities and other matters related to the research program, and preparing and circulating board meeting notes. Day-to-day management responsibilities, also fulfilled by TRB, include Appointing and coordinating the expert technical panels with responsi bility to direct, monitor, and peer-review the research progress; Developing, distributing, and processing requests for proposals; Executing, monitoring, and closing out contractual agreements with se lected researchers; and Editing, publishing, and disseminating research reports approved by tech nical panels.
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From page 88... ...
Panel members cannot act as individual consultants or advisors to the researchers and are prohibited from submitting proposals on research projects under their purview. It is largely the National Academies' status as a nonprofit, nonadvocacy research institute chartered by Congress to advise the government that enables TRB to convene these voluntary panels, which are integral to ensuring the quality and integrity of the cooperative research programs.
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