Common Performance Metrics for Airport Infrastructure and Operational Planning (2018)

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1 The interaction between airports, airlines, and air traffic systems is evolving and increas- ing with overlapping projects related to new technologies, integrated and efficient operations, and infrastructure development. At present, airports have difficulty in evaluating the impacts of these projects on operations as there is not an established understanding or standard set of metrics that can be used for analysis among airports, airlines, and the Federal Aviation Admin- istration (FAA). In working to provide guidance on the most appropriate facilities to their stakeholders, airport operators constantly balance trade-offs when making decisions related to infrastructure develop- ment and operational planning initiatives. Performance metrics are an important component of the decision-making process and a means to enhance communication. Airports need metrics to measure their performance related to new technologies and procedures, to create organization goals, and to collaborate with airlines and the FAA. This requires airports to develop an increased understanding of the metrics used by the airlines and the FAA. The purpose of this Reference Guide is to provide guidance on identifying and using perfor- mance metrics to evaluate topics—referred to as focus areas herein—where airports, the FAA, and airlines have shared interests. Relevant Aspects of NextGen—Includes metrics to evaluate proposed NextGen (Next Generation Air Transportation System) procedures, how the procedures would affect airport operations, and what environmental effects would be expected. Overall System Issues and Their Variability—Includes metrics to evaluate the impacts of system issues such as weather events and proposed changes in aircraft operations/schedules. Safety Issues in Surface Movement—Includes metrics to measure surface movement safety and collaborate with FAA and the airlines to enhance safety. Benchmarking across Airports—Includes metrics to compare operational efficiencies of air- ports and metrics needed to attract new air service. Airport Geometry Impact on Operations—Includes metrics to measure the potential opera- tional effects of changes in airport geometry including temporary closures for maintenance and proposed airfield improvements. Gate Management and Ramp Tower Operations—Includes metrics related to gate manage- ment and ramp tower operations. Regulations/Requirements—Includes performance metrics that airports are required to record or report per federal regulations and/or requirements including those administered by state and local agencies. C H A P T E R 1 Introduction to the Reference Guide and Smart Guide

2 Common Performance Metrics for Airport Infrastructure and Operational Planning The Reference Guide is accompanied by a Smart Guide, which is an easy-to-use Microsoft Excel-based tool. The Reference Guide introduces performance metrics, provides background information about each focus area, identifies performance metrics applicable to the focus areas, and presents detailed information about data sources and associated metrics. The Smart Guide is a tool that permits rapid access to information about a specific performance metric through search functions. The common component of both the Reference Guide and Smart Guide is the Performance Metrics Database. The following sections highlight the contents of the Reference Guide, Smart Guide, and Per- formance Metrics Database and describe how and when to use each one. 1.1 How to Use the Reference Guide The Reference Guide is structured to assist users in learning about performance metrics, particularly those that address performance in the focus areas. Users may refer to Chapter 2, Introduction to Performance Metrics, for basic information about performance metrics. To delve into the performance metrics associated with each of the focus areas, users may consult Chapter 3, Focus Area Performance Metrics. For information about data sources to derive metrics, users should refer to Chapter 4, Data Sources and Considerations. The PDF version of the Reference Guide includes hyperlinks (underlined performance metric names) that take the user to the Performance Metrics Database in Appendix B. The user may click on these hyperlinks to access detailed information about the subject performance metric. Reference Guide Structure Chapter 1—Introduction to the Reference Guide and Smart Guide; provides back- ground information and instructions on how and when to use the Reference Guide and accompanying Smart Guide. Chapter 2—Introduction to Performance Metrics; defines performance metrics, explains use of performance metrics, and discusses types of metrics included in the Performance Metric Database. Chapter 3—Focus Area Performance Metrics; provides background information on each focus area followed by a discussion of the related performance metrics. Chapter 4—Data Sources and Considerations; reviews the data sources and includes guidance related to accessing the databases and considerations in using the data to support performance metrics. Bibliography Acronyms Appendix A—Smart Guide Instructions. Appendix B—Performance Metrics Database; provides detailed information about the individual performance metrics including definitions, guidance, and data sources. Appendix C—List of ASPM Data Modules and their associated reports.

Introduction to the Reference Guide and Smart Guide 3 Measuring performance via metrics is a complex topic. Explaining differences, nuances, and commonalities in how the FAA, airports, and airlines apply each and every metric is beyond the scope of this guide. That said, users may review the detailed information in the Performance Metric Database to understand relationships between metrics. The intent of the Reference Guide is to suggest metrics that may be useful in evaluating performance in the focus areas. The user must carefully select metrics based on their goals and consider perspectives and uses of similar terminology. For example, consider the metric, “Enplaned Passengers, Annual.” If the user’s goal is to track enplanements for terminal facility design, the total number of annual enplanements is useful. However, if the user is coordinat- ing with the FAA regarding Airport Improvement Program funding, tracking only revenue enplanements is more useful. The FAA uses revenue enplanements to determine the amount of Airport Improvement Program passenger entitlement funds primary airports will receive. 1.2 How to Use the Smart Guide The Smart Guide is a Microsoft Excel-based tool designed to quickly find information about a specific metric in the Performance Metrics Database. A user may search for a metric via the Smart Guide by keyword(s) or by exploring different metrics within the focus areas. Guidance on the use of the Smart Guide is included in Appendix A. 1.3 How to Use the Performance Metrics Database The Performance Metrics Database in Appendix B contains detailed information about the performance metrics that are applicable to the focus areas. For each performance metric, the Performance Metrics Database includes the following fields: Metric Category Metric Sub-Category Metric Name Purpose of Metric & Description User Information Data Source Weblink of Data Sources (if applicable) Unit of Measurement Guidance (if applicable) Citation The user may navigate to the detailed information about a particular metric by clicking on the performance metric hyperlink in the PDF version of the Reference Guide.