Airport Collaborative Decision Making (ACDM) to Manage Adverse Conditions (2021)

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1 Airport collaborative decision making (ACDM) is a process in which the stakeholders of operations—airport operators, the air traffic control tower staff, flight operators, ground handlers, fixed-base operators, and others—share information to improve policies, plan- ning, real-time coordination, and decisions regarding operations. To achieve this higher level of collaboration, the individuals engaged in ACDM initiatives at individual airports should develop procedures to anticipate, prevent, and mitigate potential operating problems that arise from adverse internal and external conditions. Collaborative decision making (CDM) has been implemented in the United States for many years and until recently has focused mainly on cooperation and data sharing between the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the airlines. Airports are now at the threshold of becoming active partners in CDM. ACRP Project 10-27 investigated how the principles of CDM could apply to airports and developed specific processes, tools, and guidance to implement a scalable and flexible ACDM process at U.S. airports, focusing on aspects related to the continuum of disruptions from continuity events to crisis situations. Of the airports surveyed as part of this project, 67 percent do not hold regular meetings with the flight operators. Interviews with staff at individual airports show a lack of real-time coordination between the stakeholders. However, nearly all the survey participants responded affirmatively that they would consider holding such meetings to improve collaboration because it is commonly understood that more cooperation can help address local issues and improve overall efficiency. One of the main benefits of operating with ACDM is the mitigation of the “silo effect”—an acute but common symptom of organizational dysfunction that a former Goodyear executive described as a lack of common goals and horizontal commu- nication. Sharing information helps identify weaknesses and deficiencies that might not be detected otherwise. Joint procedures across the stakeholders make the overall operations smoother, increase situational awareness, and enhance both efficiency and resilience. Research Project ACRP 10-27 developed several tools and methodologies for achieving an advanced state of collaboration between the stakeholders of airport operations. Three operational processes are proposed for enhancing operations planning, real-time operations, and change management. These processes emphasize the need for anticipation, collabora- tion, and continued improvement at all levels. Along with templates such as the Collabora- tive Decision Sheets, the operational processes provide a framework for collaboration and a common language for all stakeholders. Operations-proven best practices—such as daily operational briefings—are identified and promoted. These best practices are incorporated in an electronic toolbox, available to practitioners, that features Quick Reference Sheets on various adverse conditions and case studies as well as electronic spreadsheets and dashboards. Together, the toolbox contents cover operational issues that include international flight diver- sions, the temporary parking of overflow aircraft, best practices on aeronautical information, S U M M A R Y Airport Collaborative Decision Making (ACDM) to Manage Adverse Conditions

2 Airport Collaborative Decision Making (ACDM) to Manage Adverse Conditions a must-know on volcanic ash clouds, and lessons learned from recent epidemics and pan- demics. Individual airports can customize the toolbox and can upload their own reference sheets, procedures, and plans. Implementation is a crucial part of any ACDM initiative. A step-by-step approach to achieve ACDM implementation is proposed, supported by templates and a workbook, to involve stakeholders, define common goals and objectives, appoint leadership for the initia- tive, tailor a vision that serves the local needs, and develop a roadmap of successful projects delivering practical improvements. Techniques are suggested to engage the stakeholders, iden- tify resources, prioritize the projects, gain approval, and run the projects in a collaborative and efficient way. Some of these projects address problems that might be found at various airports, and the most recurrent and relevant ACDM enhancements were inventoried. Beyond the technical and program management aspects, the implementation effort should tackle the cultural change that is essential to ACDM. Training the operations community together on the new processes and tools is an opportunity to do this. A comprehensive joint training program was developed that incorporates several presentation materials available in the toolbox.