National Academies Press: OpenBook

Counting Aircraft Operations at Non-Towered Airports (2007)

Chapter: Chapter Two - Literature Review

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Suggested Citation:"Chapter Two - Literature Review." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2007. Counting Aircraft Operations at Non-Towered Airports. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/23241.
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7INTRODUCTION A literature review was conducted for this synthesis project that consisted of performing searches on the TRIS database, which is the largest and most comprehensive resource of published transportation material. Internet searches were also done using various search engines. Additionally, material suggested by the TRB project committee was also reviewed. The bibliographies from the literature from all of these sources were also reviewed for any potential sources that could be included in this literature review. This review generally found that previously published literature on this topic was minimal and most of it was dated. A detailed review the literature is included as Appendix C. Where detailed statistical analysis was performed, it was included in the review. CONCLUSIONS FROM LITERATURE REVIEW As determined by the selected review of the literature, the preferred method to sample aircraft traffic is by the use of acoustical counters. Although it is the method used most often in the reviewed studies, the acoustical counter’s ability to accurately record helicopter operations appears question- able (8, p. 1; 9, p. 42). Most researchers agreed that stratified cluster samples of two-week periods during each season are the most statisti- cally acceptable form of sampling. One study developed a model based on only a one-week count. The accuracy of this method could not truly be calculated because observed operations were not available (10, p. 29). The studies reviewed generally concluded that weather was not a good predictor of aircraft operations. There was no consensus however on the use of fuel sales to predict opera- tions. Furthermore, there are also contradictions as to whether operations at towered airports can be used as an estimator of operations at non-towered airports (11, p. 22). Another conclusion resulting from this selected review is that there are different methods being used throughout the states to count and estimate aircraft operations at non-towered airports. Because there are different methods being used and because those methods vary in accuracy, the results can be called into question, in addition to not being comparable among airports. Because information on airport operations has been used for so many pur- poses (planning and programming of airport development projects, assessing the environmental impact of those projects, evaluating the need for air traffic control towers, determining airport fueling and staffing needs, evaluating airport capacity, and assessing the economic impact of an airport on a particular community), it is imperative that the information be as accurate as possible. Without accurate information on aircraft operations at non-towered airports, the managerial, operational, and financial decisions being made based on these data may come into question. There- fore, the need for an accurate method of counting and estimating aircraft operations at non-towered airports is important. The literature review also revealed that the FAA has provided funding to states for aircraft traffic counting programs. However, this information was not always used on the FAA’s Airport Master Record 5010 Form (12). In the following chapter, the methods being used by state aviation agencies and selected airports across the country to count and estimate airport operations for accuracy, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness will be identified and evaluated. CHAPTER TWO LITERATURE REVIEW

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TRB’s Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP) Synthesis 4: Counting Aircraft Operations at Non-Towered Airports explores the different methods used by states, airports, and metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) of counting and estimating aircraft operations at non-towered airports. The report also examines new technologies that can be used for these counts and estimates.

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