Guidebook for Developing Ramp Control Facilities (2017)

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A-1 Questions Associated with Steps 1–3 Step 1—Define the Ramp-Related Problem The questions listed in Table A-1 are the preliminary questions used by the airport operators and interested stakeholders to identify ramp-related operational challenges that exist at the air- port and whether potential solutions indicate ramp control as an alternative. A p p e n d i x A Topic Questions Response GENERAL QUESTIONS 1. What ramp-related operational challenge(s) or constraints are occurring or are projected to occur at the airport? Consideration topics include: Efficiency. Safety. Construction. Administrative. 2. What are the potential solutions to mitigate the operational challenges or constraints? 3. Are suggested ramp-related actions in alignment with executive-level policies? 4. Do the ramp-related operational challenges or constraints require action on the part of the airport operator or airport community? CONSIDERATION TOPIC: EFFICIENCY 5. What is impacting the airport’s efficiency? Gate adjacency Ramp congestion Holding pads in the ramp area Demand/capacity imbalance Terminal complexity See the next questions for more follow-on questions related to each of these. Table A-1. Step 1—define ramp-related problem. (continued on next page)

A-2 Guidebook for developing Ramp Control Facilities Table A-1. (Continued). 9. If demand/capacity imbalance is an efficiency concern, does the imbalance result in arrival or departure delays? Yes, resulting in the need for gate hold procedures to be applied Yes, but does not result in the need for gate hold procedures No, the demand/capacity imbalance does not typically result in arrival or departure delays 10. Is a departure metering capability in use or being considered? Yes, a departure metering capability is in use or planned for the future No, a departure metering capability is not needed 11. If terminal complexity is an efficiency concern, how are the terminals and gates aligned? Two or more terminals with multiple concourses sharing the same access routes Single terminal with two or more concourses sharing the same access routes Single or multiple terminals with linear gate alignment Other: ___________ CONSIDERATION TOPIC: SAFETY 12. What is causing your safety concerns? Accident(s) on the ramp that resulted in damage to aircraft or injury to personnel Incident(s) on the ramp that could have resulted in damage to an aircraft or injury to personnel Accident(s) or incident(s) between aircraft and vehicles or injury to personnel Topic Questions Response 6. If your airport has an efficiency concern due to gate adjacency, how would you characterize it? Primarily affecting a single dominant air carrier Affects multiple flight operators including a single dominant air carrier Other: _____ 7. If your airport has an efficiency concern due to ramp congestion, how would you characterize it? One or more ramp areas affecting a single dominant air carrier One or more ramp areas affecting multiple air carriers including a dominant air carrier One or more ramp areas affecting multiple air carriers that do not include the dominant air carrier or no dominant air carrier is present Other: _____ 8. If holding pads in the ramp area are an efficiency concern, which stakeholder controls access to the holding pads located in the ramp area? Airport operator Air carrier FAA Other: _____

Questions Associated with Steps 1–3 A-3 Table A-1. (Continued). (continued on next page) a. If new construction creates or worsens efficiency, when will the construction impact efficiency? _____ b. If new construction creates or worsens efficiency, which efficiency concern is expected to be affected? o Gate adjacency o Ramp congestion o Holding pads in the ramp area o Demand/capacity imbalance o Terminal complexity CONSIDERATION TOPIC: ADMINISTRATIVE 16. What is causing your administrative concerns? Potential implementation of “common-use” gates for all or select gates/concourses Air carriers request to implement ramp control FAA decision to no longer issue pushback instructions for departures in the non- movement area Other: _____ 13. If accidents or incidents between aircraft on the ramp are a safety concern, during which phase of movement do they occur? Pushback Taxi/marshal in Movement in the ramp area Other: _____ 14. If accidents or incidents between aircraft on the ramp are a safety concern, what are the contributing factors? Gate adjacency Wingtip clearance Insufficient coordination between airplane operations on the ramp Aircraft infringing on the airport movement area Personnel error: _______ Equipment: _____ CONSIDERATION TOPIC: CONSTRUCTION 15. What is causing your construction concerns? New construction that may create or worsen efficiency New construction that is not expected to create or worsen efficiency New construction that will obscure FAA ATCT line of sight to some gates Topic Questions Response

A-4 Guidebook for developing Ramp Control Facilities Topic Questions Response CONSIDERATION TOPIC: EFFICIENCY 1. If gate adjacency is an efficiency concern, how would you characterize the significance of the airport’s gate adjacency issues? Significant most of the time Significant some of the time Not significant 2. If ramp congestion affects the efficiency of a single dominant air carrier, is the air carrier considering ramp control? Yes No 3. How many hours throughout the day does ramp congestion occur and affect efficiency? 6 or more hours 2–6 hours Less than 2 hours Seasonal ______________ Table A-2. Step 2—scope the problem. Step 2—Scope the Problem The questions listed in Table A-2 aid the user in determining how significant the ramp control- related challenges are and how many local stakeholders are impacted by these challenges. Table A-1. (Continued). 17. If implementation of “common-use” gates is an administrative concern, how will this affect current gate assignment procedures? Air carriers with leased gates will continue to manage the activity for their gates, remaining gates will be assigned by the airport operator Air carriers with leased gates will have priority use of their gates, airport operator will manage gate assignment for all gates Airport operator will manage gate assignment for all gates a. If air carrier request for implementation of ramp control is an administrative concern, which flight operators are requesting the service? o Multiple air carriers representing at least half of the airport’s activity o Single (dominant) air carrier representing a significant percentage of the airport’s activity o Single or multiple air carriers that do not represent at least half of the airport’s activity b. Are there siting issues that affect ATC’s ability to authorize departure to push from or arrivals to proceed to their gate? o Yes o No i. If yes, how has this affected the operation? o ATC is unable to see the gates, therefore would prefer to avoid authorizing pushback from or taxi in to their gate o No impact o Other: _____ Topic Questions Response

Questions Associated with Steps 1–3 A-5 (continued on next page) Table A-2. (Continued). 9. Are there plans for additional terminals or concourses? Yes, new construction will impact movement within the ramp area Yes, but new construction will not affect the movement within the ramp area No 10. If new construction will impact efficiency within the ramp area, what will be affected? Gate adjacency Ramp congestion Holding pads in the ramp area Demand/capacity imbalance Terminal complexity Topic Questions Response 4. If holding pads in the ramp area are an efficiency concern, how significant is the issue? Significant most of the time Significant some of the time Not significant 5. If demand/capacity imbalance is an efficiency concern, how significant are the ramp congestion issues? Significant most of the time Significant some of the time Not significant 6. If your airport has a demand/capacity imbalance resulting in departure delays, which flight operators are affected? Single dominant air carrier Multiple air carriers including a dominant air carrier Multiple air carriers that do not include the dominant air carrier or no dominant air carrier is present CONSIDERATION TOPIC: SAFETY 7. If one or more accidents or incidents in the ramp have occurred in the past 6 months, how many air carriers are/were involved? Single dominant air carrier Multiple air carriers including a dominant air carrier Multiple air carriers that do not include the dominant air carrier or no dominant air carrier is present CONSIDERATION TOPIC: CONSTRUCTION 8. If new construction is expected to impact efficiency, which air carriers will be affected? Single dominant air carrier only Multiple air carriers including a dominant air carrier Multiple air carriers that do not include the dominant air carrier or no dominant air carrier is present a. If new construction will affect the efficiency of a single dominant air carrier is the air carrier considering ramp control? Yes No

A-6 Guidebook for developing Ramp Control Facilities RAMP CONTROL CONSIDERATION INITIAL COST RECURRING COST People—Roles and Responsibilities 1. What specific tasks are ramp control expected to perform? Authorize pushback and movement into, out of, and on the ramp. Sequence departures prior to transfer to ATC. Apply local safety directives (e.g., gate adjacency/wingtip clearances, engine start, disconnect, tow-in). Coordinate with ATC or other stakeholders. Track/document flight information. Ramp-related duties (e.g., gate management, tracking/updating information). Initial cost of hiring personnel may be affected by required job qualifications Cost of procuring technology Initial cost of creating positions including equipment, communication lines, physical space, etc. Wages and salary may be affected by the required recurring training Updating and upgrading technology Ongoing telecommunications and utilities cost Table A-3. Step 3—evaluate ramp control considerations. Step 3—Evaluate Ramp Control Considerations The questions listed in Table A-3 should enable the user to record answers to the questions and list any known initial and recurring costs associated with each of the ramp control man- agement options. This information will be used to identify which entity may be best suited to perform ramp control at an airport and from which location ramp control should be conducted. Appendix B lists some of the initial and recurring costs that the user should consider based on the management option being evaluated. Table A-2. (Continued). CONSIDERATION TOPIC: ADMINISTRATIVE 11. How many flight operators will be affected by the airport operator’s decision to implement “common-use” gates? Single dominant flight operator only Multiple flight operators including a dominant air carrier Multiple air carriers that do not include the dominant air carrier or no dominant air carrier is present 12. How many flight operators are requesting implementations of ramp control? Single dominant flight operator Multiple flight operators including a dominant air carrier Multiple air carriers that do not include the dominant air carrier or no dominant air carrier is present 13. Which flight operators are expected to benefit from implementation of ramp control? Single dominant flight operator Multiple flight operators including a dominant air carrier Multiple air carriers that do not include the dominant air carrier or no dominant air carrier is present Topic Questions Response

Questions Associated with Steps 1–3 A-7 (continued on next page) Table A-3. (Continued). 8. Will ramp control personnel be required to perform other duties unrelated to ramp control? Yes No If yes, determine initial cost of hiring/ training personnel If no, then no additional costs are anticipated Annual wages and benefits based on number of personnel a) If yes, how frequently are these other duties expected to be performed? Frequently Occasionally Rarely Initial cost of hiring /training personnel Annual wages and benefits based on number of personnel RAMP CONTROL CONSIDERATION INITIAL COST RECURRING COST People—Staffing 2. How many ramp control positions do you anticipate needing? Maximum: _____ Minimum: _____ Initial cost of hiring/training personnel Annual wages and benefits based on number of personnel 3. Approximately how many hours per day is ramp control desired/needed? Maximum: _____ Minimum: _____ Initial cost of hiring personnel Annual wages and benefits based on number of personnel 4. Identify work rules that may impact the number of hours per shift (e.g., breaks, maximum number of hours per day). Annual wages and benefits based on number of personnel 5. How many shifts are expected to be needed/desired? Maximum: _____ Minimum: _____ Annual wages and benefits based on number of personnel 6. How many supervisory/managerial personnel desired/needed per shift? Maximum: _____ Minimum: _____ Annual wages and benefits based on number of personnel 7. List the job qualifications for those that are required to perform ramp control function May influence costs associated with supervision, training and staffing a) Does your organization have personnel with the requisite expertise to perform ramp control? Yes No If yes, determine cost of additional training required for current personnel If no, determine initial cost of hiring/training personnel Annual wages and benefits based on number of personnel b) Will previous experience with military or FAA ATC be required? Yes No

A-8 Guidebook for Developing Ramp Control Facilities Table A-3. (Continued). a) If QA desired/needed, who is expected to administer it? If chosen staff already performs a QA/QC function, then no additional costs anticipated If staff needs to be hired, determine initial cost of hiring/ training personnel Annual cost of time spent administering process People—Training 9. Does your organization have the facilities to provide desired training? Yes No Cost may depend on the management option chosen Cost may depend on the management option chosen a) If web-based or computer training is desired, is it currently available? Yes No If yes, determine per- person costs to train personnel on current systems If no, determine cost to develop training and obtain necessary equipment Annual refresher course costs, if necessary 10. Does your organization have personnel with the expertise to train ramp control personnel? Yes No If yes, then determine if training will result in any internal personnel costs If no, determine cost to hire personnel/third party to provide training Annual refresher course costs, if necessary 11. Does your organization have the expertise to develop a ramp control training plan? Yes No If yes, then determine internal costs to create a training plan If no, determine cost to hire personnel/ third party to produce a training plan Regular updates to training materials People—QA/QC 12. Is a QA process desired/needed? Yes No If yes, then determine internal or external (third party) costs to create a QA/QC plan If no, then no additional costs should be incurred RAMP CONTROL CONSIDERATION INITIAL COST RECURRING COST

Questions Associated with Steps 1–3 A-9 Table A-3. (Continued). (continued on next page) a) Workspace is available to support ramp control but there will be siting issues that need to be resolved or mitigated? Yes No Determine technology costs (e.g., cameras, surface surveillance) Annual maintenance costs b) Is workspace available to support the projected number of ramp control positions? Yes No Determine technology costs (e.g., cameras, surface surveillance) Annual maintenance costs Technology 13. List the technology that is needed/desired to perform the ramp control function that is not already available Include costs to procure, including installation Annual maintenance costs and licensing fees a) Identify existing technology that does not support future enhancements. Include costs to procure and install new technology that will support future enhancements or to retrofit current technology Annual maintenance costs and licensing fees b) Identify existing technology that supports future enhancements. Include costs to procure and install future enhancements Annual maintenance costs and licensing fees Technology—Surface Surveillance 14. Is surface surveillance technology needed/desired and available to ramp control? Yes No If yes, determine costs to utilize technology for ramp control If no, either determine cost to procure and install new technology or no additional costs should be incurred Annual maintenance costs and licensing fees Technology—Interoperability 15. Will additional technology cause workspace concerns? Yes No If yes, determine costs to procure new equipment or modify workspace for new technology If no, then no additional costs should be incurred Annual maintenance costs Facility and Supporting Infrastructure 16. If a traditional ramp tower is desired/most appropriate, is it available to support the projected number of ramp control positions? Yes No No additional costs should be incurred Changes to annual lease agreement Annual maintenance costs RAMP CONTROL CONSIDERATION INITIAL COST RECURRING COST

A-10 Guidebook for developing Ramp Control Facilities SUMMARY 17. A virtual facility the desired/most appropriate option, is workspace available to support the projected number of ramp control positions? Yes No If yes, determine costs associated with modifying or creating new lease agreements and procuring equipment and furniture If no, determine costs associated with modifying workspace and procuring equipment and furniture Annual maintenance costs a) Is workspace available to support a virtual ramp control facility? Yes No If yes, determine costs associated with modifying or creating new lease agreements and procuring equipment and furniture If no, determine costs associated with modifying workspace and procuring equipment and furniture Annual maintenance costs Administrative/Budget 18. List any administrative concerns (e.g., hiring freeze, cost-reduction effort) that may influence the decision whether to have airport operator personnel perform ramp control or to contract the service with a third party. 19. List any stakeholders who have expressed a desire or willingness to accept ramp control responsibility. RAMP CONTROL CONSIDERATION INITIAL COST RECURRING COST Table A-3. (Continued).