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D-1 A P P E N D I X D Airport Sustainability Activitiesâ User Guide Excerpts
Airport Sustainability ActivitiesâUser Guide Excerpts D-3 1 Waste & Water Waste Diversion METRIC: Percent of total annual waste diverted from the landfill or incinerator through recycling, reuse, refurbishing, selling, donating, and composting. PURPOSE Waste Diversion optimizes the use of airport materials beyond their ï¬rst functional lifespan by avoiding landï¬lling and incineration. DEFINITION Waste diversion is deï¬ned as the percent of total annual solid waste redirected from the landï¬ll or incinerator through recycling, reuse, refurbishment, sale, donation, composting, or other means. This Activity is concerned with non-hazardous, municipal solid waste at airports, which includes, but is not limited to, mixed paper and cardboard, food scraps, kitchen grease, metals, glass, plastics, landscape waste, wood, tires, appliances, batteries, recordable media, and electronics. The Activity considers all waste sources where the airport is responsible for disposal, to include, but not limited to, terminals, administrative oï¬ces, airï¬elds, maintenance hangars, cargo hangars, and aircraft ï¬ight kitchens (if disposal of deplaned waste is the responsibility of the airport). Handling of construction and demolition, aircraft lavatory, or chemical wastes are covered under activities within the Design & Materials and Human Well-Being Sustainability Categories. The Activity does not include waste with regulated or special disposal requirements, such as international deplaned waste, deicing ï¬uids, or hazardous waste. RELATED ACTIVITIES WW 2 â WASTE REDUCTION DM 3 â CONSTRUCTION WASTE DIVERSION HW 4 â CHEMICALS & HAZARDOUS MATERIALS EC 6 â OTHER INDIRECT GHG EMISSION REDUCTIONS PERFORMANCE LEVELS Four points are available across the performance levels. Each threshold represents an increasing diversion rate, or the percent of annual solid airport waste diverted from the landï¬ll or incinerator. Performance Level Take Off Ascend Cruise Soar Threshold 30% 45% 60% 75% Points 1 2 3 4 See the DOCUMENTATION section to determine how to calculate the diversion rate. WW 3 Level Take Off Ascend Cruise Soar Points 1 2 3 4 OE S N SAMPLE SAMPLE
D-4 Prototype Airport Sustainability Rating SystemâCharacteristics, Viability, and Implementation Options 2 WW 3 â Waste Diversion PERFORMANCE RECOMMENDATIONS The table below includes recommended actions from across airport infrastructure, operations, and management that can assist in improving waste diversion and achieving higher performance thresholds. The list is suggestive and not exhaustive, and airports have the ï¬exibility to determine how they will achieve performance through these activities and others. Infrastructure Operations Management Increase the availability of collection bins for the sorting of waste â landï¬ll, paper, recyclables, and compost â in all areas with human presence, including terminals, oï¬ce space, airï¬eld maintenance hangars, cargo hangars, etc. Install proper signage to inform customers about waste sorting. Co-locate recycling receptacles with trash receptacles. Identify collection and staging areas for useable materials available for reuse, sale, or donation. Incorporate waste diversion in all levels of employee training. Maintain a waste reduction, reuse, and recycling program for durable goods, including oï¬ce equipment, appliances, audiovisual equipment, and furniture. Implement an inventory system to facilitate the reuse or redistribution of chemicals, cleaning supplies, paint, or other supplies. Identify and procure materials for composting or other means of organics management. Work with a local non-proï¬t or government agency to facilitate the reuse of furniture, oï¬ce supplies, and other materials. Work with vendor to create an electronics reuse program that can generate revenue for airport and extend life of computers, monitors and related equipment. Conduct a waste audit to determine the percentage of potentially recyclable waste that is going to a landï¬ll/incinerator. Explore, implement, and expand recycling and composting pick-up options with local waste management vendors. Work with the waste hauler or service provider to collect and analyze information on the amounts and types of waste generated to understand better waste production patterns. Establish a Waste Diversion Plan to outline airport-wide goals and strategies. Analyze the economic beneï¬ts on the local communityâin terms of employment, sales, and tax revenueâdue to increased recycling when assessing various waste diversion options. Negotiate with waste disposal contractors and tenants with the aim of encouraging recovery of separated waste materials by having cost reï¬ect the degree of separation at the tenant source.
Airport Sustainability ActivitiesâUser Guide Excerpts D-5 3 WW 3 â Waste Diversion DOCUMENTATION Tracking waste diversion requires regular audits to assess the waste stream across the airport. It is important to capture as many disposal means as possible, including the landï¬ll, incinerator, recycling, reuse, refurbishment, donation, resale, and composting. The following calculation should be used to determine the percent of total annual waste diverted from the landï¬ll or incinerator through alternative disposal methods Where: A = Total amount of waste diverted (tons) in the performance yearâmost recent year for which data are available. B = Total waste generation (tons) in the performance yearâmost recent year for which data are available. The following weight data in tons is required for the performance year: Materials sent to landï¬ll Materials incinerated Materials recycled Materials reused Materials refurbished Materials resold Materials donated Materials composted Volume measurements can be converted to weight using the conversion factors provided in the Appendix. Additional documentation should be collected for internal and external veriï¬cation, if applicable, including: A summary narrative outlining the types of waste and volumes diverted. A brief description of the factors that contributed to the diversion rate (e.g., programs, policies, etc.) Copies of contract with vendor or other documentation of collection service. References that may assist in documenting, measuring, or estimating waste diversion include: U.S. EPAâs guide to Developing and Implement and Airport Recycling Program: http://www.epa.gov/wastes/conserve/tools/rogo/documents/airport-recycling-guide.pdf. FAA Synthesis Document on Recycling, Reuse, and Waste Reduction at Airports: http://www.faa.gov/airports/resources/publications/reports/environmental/media/RecyclingSynthesis201 3.pdf Percent of Total Annual Waste Diverted Recycling + Rescue + Refurbishment + Resale + Donation + Composting Land�ill + Incinerator + Recycling + Rescue + Refurbishment + Resale + Donation + Composting = A B x 100
D-6 Prototype Airport Sustainability Rating SystemâCharacteristics, Viability, and Implementation Options 4 WW 3 â Waste Diversion FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS Airports should take a holistic approach when assessing the ï¬nancial viability of waste management options for improving performance under the Waste Diversion Activity. The higher costs of one component of an integrated waste management system, such as recordable media (e.g. CD-ROMs and diskettes) recycling, can be oï¬set by another component, such as cardboard and paper recycling, resulting in overall cost savings and a higher diversion rate. In addition, airports should consider the indirect economic beneï¬ts of Waste Diversion, as recycling waste may yield a greater economic beneï¬t than landï¬lling it. Local sorting and sales of the constituent materials can contribute more than landï¬lling/incinerating waste at a distant oï¬-site location, thus supporting local employment, manufacturing, and tax revenues. Airports can calculate the economic costs and beneï¬ts associated with integrated waste management by obtaining individual municipal solid waste (MSW) waste-stream costs when there are separate rates. For example, recycling mixed paper material generally costs less than standard waste hauling fees and in some circumstances can actually produce revenue. Third party electronic support service ï¬rms often pay for usable equipment that may no longer be useful to an airport. Recycling other types of waste (e.g. co-mingled glass, plastic, and metals) may cost more than standard landï¬ll or incinerator rates. Waste streams recycling and reuse cost savings can oï¬set the cost premiums associated with other types of recycling services. Example Table to Demonstrate Concept Waste Stream Est. Annual Cost Est. Annual Revenue Mixed Paper $ #,### $ #,### Electronics $ #,### $ #,### It may be necessary to modify existing custodial service contracts or make special arrangements to obtain waste stream data. Metrics should be aligned so that waste is measured by either weight (e.g., tonnage) or volume (e.g., cubic yards). The ï¬nancial considerations associated with integrated waste management necessitate detailed analysis of comprehensive waste material data than limiting review to just the overall airport recycling rates. SAMPLE
Airport Sustainability ActivitiesâUser Guide Excerpts D-7 1 Energy & Climate Climate Change Adaptation METRIC: Performance is gauged by the number of Performance Actions achieved PURPOSE Climate Change Adaptation promotes an airportâs long-term viability by increasing the resiliency of airport operations and infrastructure to climate change impacts. DEFINITION Climate Change Adaptation increases an airportâs resiliency to episodic events and longer term meteorological and environmental shifts, thereby avoiding service interruptions in air service and ground transportation. Depending on the location of the airport, climate change impacts may include changes in temperature, precipitation levels, storm frequency, and storm severity; thawing permafrost; sea level rise; habitat impacts; and changes in wildlife. Performance is evaluated by the degree to which an airport has developed and implemented a plan to assess climate vulnerability and increase resiliency. This Activity includes all infrastructure and assets within the airport site including, but not limited to, terminal and administrative buildings; parking lots and structures; HVAC systems; energy and water provision for buildings; roadways and transportation infrastructure; storm water management systems; airfield and navigational aid infrastructure; runways, taxiways, and aprons; turf areas; wetlands; wildlife areas; and shorelines. RELATED ACTIVITIES EC 4 â TERMINAL BUILDING GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSION REDUCTIONS EC 5 â OVERALL AIRPORT GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSION REDUCTIONS EC 6 â OTHER INDIRECT GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSION REDUCTIONS WW 1 â POTABLE WATER CONSERVATION EP 2 â AIRPORT FINANCIAL VIABILITY EP 3 â RISK MANAGEMENT EL 4 â INTEGRATED SUSTAINABILITY MANAGEMENT NR 1 â LANDSCAPE & GROUNDS NR 2 â WILDLIFE & HABITAT PROTECTION NR 3 â PERVIOUS SURFACE NR 4 â AIRSIDE STORMWATER QUALITY NR 6 â HEAT ISLAND REDUCTION DM 1 â SUSTAINABLE DESIGN & OPERATION EC 7 Level Take Off Ascend Cruise SoarPoints 1 2 3 4 O E S N SAMPLE
D-8 Prototype Airport Sustainability Rating SystemâCharacteristics, Viability, and Implementation Options 2 EC 7 â Climate Change Adaptation PERFORMANCE LEVELS Four points are available based on the level of performance assessed by the number of Performance Actions taken by the airport. The Actions indicate the degree to which the airport has developed and implemented a plan for climate vulnerability assessment and adaptation. This approach can be integrated into the airportâs existing operations by incorporating climate factors into ongoing planning, design, and management decisions through an adaptive management approach. Performance Levels reï¬ect steps within the adaptive management approach, with the Soar Performance Level indicating that the airport has a fully deployed adaptive management approach, is implementing assessment and adaptation actions, and is monitoring their performance. Therefore, credit for each level must be earned before a higher tier can be achievedâi.e., Ascend, Cruise, and Soar levels requires that the previous Performance Level has also been achieved. As an example, Ascend Performance requires that all requirements for the Take-Oï¬ Performance Level have also been achieved. Performance Level Take Off Ascend Cruise Soar Threshold 2 Assess Actions 2 Prioritize Actions 3 Implement Actions 1 Monitor and Evaluate Action Points 1 2 3 4 See the DOCUMENTATION section to determine what information should be recorded to address climate change adaptation. Conduct Impact,Vulnerabilityand Risk Assessments Identify and Prioritize AdaptationOptions Implement AdaptationActions Monitor and Evaluate SAMPLE Adaptive Management Approach
Airport Sustainability ActivitiesâUser Guide Excerpts D-9 3 EC 7 â Climate Change Adaptation PERFORMANCE RECOMMENDATIONS The table below includes recommended actions from across airport infrastructure, operations, and management that support climate change adaptation and achieving higher performance thresholds. The list is suggestive and not exhaustive, and airports have the ï¬exibility to determine how they achieve performance through these activities and others. Assess Management Inventory infrastructure and identify critical assets (existing and planned) that may be vulnerable to climate change stressors. Inventory airport operations and services and identify activities (existing and planned) that may be vulnerable to climate change stressors. Determine potential climate impacts under local or regional climate change scenarios. Assess vulnerability of assets, operations, and services under climate change scenarios. Assess the direct and indirect economic impacts due to climate change on the airport and local community as part of a Climate Change Impact Assessment. Prioritize Management Prioritize vulnerable assets that require adaptation measures. Prioritize vulnerable operations and services that require adaptation measures. Develop a Climate Change Adaptation Plan that identiï¬es vulnerable assets, operations, and services; articulate adaptation priorities; and deï¬ne organizational roles and responsibilities for implementation. Engage in a regional Climate Change Adaptation Plan with state agencies, municipalities, and institutions. Develop protocols and procedures for increased incidence of severe weather events, such as what to do in the event of a ï¬ood for airports vulnerable to such events. Implement Infrastructure Protect and harden structures through design and construction to reduce exposure (e.g., levee construction) or increase the resilience of infrastructure (e.g., reinforcing traï¬c control towers; elevating roadways). Relocate assets to less vulnerable locations. Operations Increase frequency of maintenance and repair and operational improvements to accommodate growing climate stresses. Review and reinforce operation of access roads, inter-modal on-ground connectivity, and communications infrastructure with regard to climate vulnerability. Increase redundancy by developing alternative ways to maintain service in the event of disruption (e.g., back-up runways and access roads, alternative power sources). Monitor and Evaluate Management Develop and implement a system for ongoing monitoring and evaluation of airport-speciï¬c impacts based on regional climate model predictions. Evaluate airport resilience and the eï¬ectiveness of current adaptation actions on annual basis. Incorporate ï¬ndings from monitoring into the climate adaptation planning. Develop a plan for business continuity after a disruption due to climate -related impacts
D-10 Prototype Airport Sustainability Rating SystemâCharacteristics, Viability, and Implementation Options 4 EC 7 â Climate Change Adaptation FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS Airports are likely to realize economic beneï¬ts by increasing the resilience of their operations and infrastructure to climate changeâthough the beneï¬ts may vary by location and may depend on the airportâs vulnerabilities to climate change. The economic beneï¬ts of climate adaptation investments are not always immediate and they may vary by location depending on the airportâs likelihood of experiencing short-term hazardsâsuch as a severe weather eventâor long-term changes in conditionsâsuch as more frequent seasonal ï¬ooding or rising sea levels. Airports that have improved their resilience to climate change impacts are more likely to avoid or mitigate damages to infrastructure and will incur fewer repair and reconstruction costs. Additionally, airports that have operational practices in place to respond to events are more likely to avoid loss of revenue caused by service disruptions. Airports can estimate the economic impacts resulting from climate adaptation with cost-beneï¬t analysis (CBA) techniques. CBA methodologies speciï¬c to adaptation have been derived and proven to be eï¬ective decision- support tools for the planning and development of organizations. Steps in a climate adaptation CBA include identifying potential adaptation options, establishing a baseline of events, and quantifying the aggregate costs and beneï¬ts over speciï¬c time periods. Example Table to Demonstrate Concept Status Quo Minimum Action Do Something - Managed Adaptively Level of Effort (1%) Level of Effort (2%) Level of Effort (3%) Level of Effort (4%) Total present value of costs $,#,### $,#,### $,#,### $,#,### $,#,### $,#,### Total present value of benefits $,#,### $,#,### $,#,### $,#,### $,#,### $,#,### NPV $,#,### $,#,### $,#,### $,#,### $,#,### $,#,### Benefit-cost Ratio # # # # # # CBA for adaptation strategies allow for comparison of many diï¬erent categories of beneï¬ts or costs into a single, monetized value. However, airports should consider the social, nontangible beneï¬ts that arise from climate adaptation strategies which may not be measured or expressed in monetary terms in the CBA. Additionally, the costs and beneï¬ts need to be discounted to properly calculate their present value. SAMPLE
Airport Sustainability ActivitiesâUser Guide Excerpts D-11 5 EC 7 â Climate Change Adaptation DOCUMENTATION Airports should fully document all actions taken to address climate change adaptation and be able to provide descriptions for the following: Regional and local climate scenarios Inventories of airport operations, services, and assets Vulnerability assessment reports and maps of airport operations, services, and assets Infrastructure upgrades Operational adaptation measures Written policies Updated planning documents References that may assist in addressing climate change adaptation and planning include: The U.S. Department of Transportation FHWA Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment Pilot Program: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/climate_change/adaptation/ongoing_and_current_research/vulne rability_assessment_pilots/index.cfm The ACRP Synthesis S11-02-06, Airport Climate Change Adaptation and Preparedness The ACRP Report 02-40 (pending), Climate Change Risk Assessment and Adaptation Planning at Airports
D-12 Prototype Airport Sustainability Rating SystemâCharacteristics, Viability, and Implementation Options 1 Energy & Climate Terminal Building Energy Use METRIC: Percent reduction of building energy use intensity per square foot (BTU/ft2) from a baseline. PURPOSE Terminal Building Energy Use promotes the eï¬cient use of energy in terminal and administrative building spaces to reduce operating expenses and minimize resource consumption without impacting airport critical functions. DEFINITION Terminal buildings are deï¬ned as airport space for passenger support, baggage processing and pick-up, concession retail and restaurants, and administration functions. Energy use intensity is deï¬ned as total annual building energy consumption per square foot of building space. Eï¬ciency performance is evaluated as a percent reduction from an airport-determined baseline energy intensity. Building energy includes direct consumption of fuels, e.g., for water heating and space conditioning, as well as energy consumption generated oï¬siteâsuch as purchased electricity and steam. This activity includes total energy consumption within all terminal and administrative building spaces that support airport ground operations. Energy end-uses include, but are not limited to: lighting; refrigeration; equipment use (e.g., service counters, baggage systems, checkpoints); boilers; steam generation; heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC); people movers, data centers, jet bridges, building controls; and backup energy supply systems. The energy and building area footprint omits airside functions and infrastructure, which are covered by Activity EC 2 â Overall Airport Energy Use. Mobile energy associated with ground access vehicles and airport ï¬eet is addressed by Activity TR 1 â Fleet Vehicle Fuel Economy. RELATED ACTIVITIES EC 2 â OVERALL AIRPORT ENERGY USE EC 4 â TERMINAL BUILDING GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSION REDUCTIONS EC 5 â OVERALL AIRPORT GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSION REDUCTIONS TR 1 â FLEET VEHICLES PERFORMANCE LEVELS Ten points are available based on the level of performance. Performance Level Take Off Ascend Cruise Soar Threshold 30% 45% 60% 75% Points 2 4 7 10 See the DOCUMENTATION section to determine how to calculate the percent reduction of building energy use intensity. EC 1 Level Take Off Ascend Cruise Soar Points 2 4 7 10 O E S N SAMPLE SAMPLE
Airport Sustainability ActivitiesâUser Guide Excerpts D-13 2 EC 1 â Terminal Building Energy Use PERFORMANCE RECOMMENDATIONS The table below includes recommended actions from across airport infrastructure, operations, and management that can assist in decreasing terminal building energy use and achieving higher performance thresholds. The list is suggestive and not exhaustive, and airports have the ï¬exibility to determine how they will achieve performance through these activities and others. Infrastructure Operations Management Design and upgrade buildings with energy eï¬cient features, including lighting and HVAC systems. Take greater advantage of daylight in terminal design and upgrading. Install more eï¬cient or alternative sources of energy, such as combined heat and power, ground-source heat pumps, or solar thermal. Utilize thermal energy storage systems to optimize energy use of air conditioning systems. Purchase and install ENERGY STAR rated appliances and computers. Enhance escalators with energy eï¬cient technology. Install, upgrade, or improve building automation systems. Optimize thermal performance of data center spaces with cold/hot air containment. Prioritize use of energy- eï¬cient equipment within procurement policy. Use aggressive temperature setbacks, lighting controls, and building automation. Optimize occupancy and use of buildings and equipment. Perform energy audit to identify and evaluate âenergy hot spotsâ. Commission existing buildings to improve their operations and maintenance for optimal performance. Provide âreal-timeâ building energy performance dashboards to promote occupant behavioral changes. Implement an Energy Management Plan to outline airport-wide goals and strategies for reducing energy consumption. Develop an employee education campaign for energy and electricity eï¬ciency. Incorporate lifecycle energy consumption and cost analyses into asset management, construction, and operations decision- making, in addition to infrastructure upgrades. Utilize alternative ï¬nancing options for large-scale energy upgradesâe.g., Energy Savings Performance Contract (ESPC) and Utility Energy Service Contracts (UESC). Designate a dedicated Energy Manager responsible for managing airport energy projects and tracking performance.
D-14 Prototype Airport Sustainability Rating SystemâCharacteristics, Viability, and Implementation Options 3 EC 1 â Terminal Building Energy Use DOCUMENTATION Calculating total terminal building energy use intensity requires both the total quantity of electricity consumed and the total quantity of purchased building fuels. Establishing an appropriate baseline requires a least one full year of consecutive energy consumption data and the gross square footage of all terminal and administrative building space for that year. Energy consumption from other airport featuresâsuch as runway lights, hangar facilities, and traï¬c control towersâare not included in this calculation. An airport should choose a year in which it is conï¬dent in the energy and square footage data in order to compare energy eï¬ciency measures. Airports already employing signiï¬cant energy reduction strategies may use a recent past year to recognize previous achievement from their respective baseline. The most basic method of collecting energy data is through electricity utility and building fuel invoices that track purchases of energy. However, utility meters that measure electricity consumption and may often cover large and non-uniform areas, capturing consumption of more than (or less than) the target terminal building space. If this is the case, a correction calculation must be used to estimate the fraction of electricity consumption that can be assigned to just terminal or administrative building space. To avoid such estimation, a better approach is to sub- meter individual buildings and spaces to get a more accurate measurement of electricity consumption. Building fuel energyâe.g., fuel oil, natural gas, dieselâcan also be estimated through the purchasing invoices, under the assumption that all fuel purchased in a given year was consumed. Consumption data must be converted to the common unit of British Thermal Units (Btu, which can be done using the table of conversion factors in million Btu (MMBtu) below for both electricity and building fuels. The associated energy content of diï¬erent types of building fuels can be found in Appendix XX. Energy Unit MMBtu Equivalent 1 kWh 0.003412 1 MWh 3.412 1 Therm 0.1 1 kBtu 0.001 1 ton-hour 0.012 1 MJ 0.000948 The following calculation should be used to determine the percent change in terminal building energy use intensity from the baseline year. â( ) = Where: Baseline energy intensity value = the baseline energy consumption value divided by the square footage from the baseline year. Compare the calculated percent reduction to the thresholds in the Performance Target sections. Points are earned for the highest level where the calculated reduction exceeds the percentage threshold.
Airport Sustainability ActivitiesâUser Guide Excerpts D-15 4 EC 1 â Terminal Building Energy Use FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS Energy conservation and eï¬ciency practices in existing buildings provide airports with low/no-cost options for reducing the energy use intensity of airport buildings. Energy conservationâsuch as turning lights oï¬ in favor of natural lightingâis the most cost-eï¬ective means for reducing energy consumption because the action typically requires no capital cost. Energy eï¬ciency measuresâsuch as using more eï¬cient lighting or heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) equipmentâtypically pay for themselves as the dollars saved through reduced energy consumption oï¬set the capital and maintenance costs associated with installing and maintain the equipment. The payback period for energy eï¬ciency measures may vary from a few months to several years depending on the capital costs of purchasing the equipment as well as the labor and material costs associated with its maintenance and upkeep. Reducing energy use intensity has also shown to produce less tangible beneï¬ts, such as improved worker performance and reduced environmental pollution, as energy eï¬ciency drives emission and pollution reductions that reduce an airportâs environmental impacts footprint. Estimating payback periods of an energy eï¬ciency project is a simple way airports can evaluate and prioritize implementation of projects. The payback periodâthe length of time required for an investment to recover its costs in terms of proï¬ts or savingsâcan be calculated by the initial cost of the project and resulting net savings per year. Eï¬ciency measures have varying payback periods and lifetime savings, making them cost-eï¬ective in the short and medium term. Example Table to Demonstrate Concept EE Practice Initial Investment Est. Net Annual Savings Est. Payback Est. Lifetime Savings HVAC Systems $#,### $#,### ## Years $#,### Building Automation $#,### $#,### ## Years $#,### Employee Campaign $#,### $#,### ## Years $#,### SAMPLE
D-16 Prototype Airport Sustainability Rating SystemâCharacteristics, Viability, and Implementation Options 1 Human Well-Being Airport Noise Compatibility METRIC: Performance is gauged by the number of Performance Actions achieved PURPOSE Airport Noise Compatibility promotes compatibility between airports and surrounding communities by minimizing noise from aircraft operations and construction activities. DEFINITION Airport Noise Compatibility is deï¬ned as airport noise exposure on surrounding communities and the effort to reduce noise exposure on incompatible land uses. Thresholds for noise compatibility around airports have been deï¬ned by the FAR Part 150 Airport Noise Compatibility Planning Program. For example, the FAA currently deï¬nes Day Night Average Sound Level (DNL) 65 dB as the threshold of noise incompatibility with residential land uses. Airport-related noise is typically a great concern to surrounding communities. It largely derives from aircraft operations, but it can also come from non-aircraft sources, such as airport construction. This activity includes the development of acoustical control measures to reduce ambient noise levels for nearby aï¬ected communities. Through FAR Part 150, the FAA provides ï¬nancial assistance to airports that develop noise exposure maps and noise compatibility programs. This documentation is submitted to the FAA for review and approval. Financial assistance supports the assessment of noise impacts as well as the implementation of noise- reduction measures. For landside development, including construction-related noise, acoustical controls should be planned for in the early phases of project development. These measures are typically outlined in construction noise abatement plans. This activity also includes noise monitoring, which generally involves the installation of listening stations at sensitive sites and a mechanism to log, track, and respond to community noise complaints. Data acquired through a noise- monitoring program allows an airport to better understand how its aircraft operations are aï¬ecting surrounding communities. RELATED ACTIVITIES EL 2 â PUBLIC OUTREACH PERFORMANCE LEVELS A total of 4 points are available based on the number of Performance Actions taken to address the sustainability activity objective. The actions are designed to help airports meet FAA requirements for land use compatibility and encourage best practices implementation to address common community concerns. Performance Level Basic Improved Enhanced Superior Threshold 2 Actions 4 Actions 6 Actions 8 Actions Points 1 2 3 4 See the DOCUMENTATION section to determine how to document actions related to airport noise. HW 1 Level Take Off Ascend Cruise Soar Points 1 2 3 4 SAMPLE O E S N SAMPLE
Airport Sustainability ActivitiesâUser Guide Excerpts D-17 2 HW 1 â Airport Noise Compatibility PERFORMANCE RECOMMENDATIONS The table below includes recommended actions from across airport infrastructure, operations, and management that can assist in improving airport noise and achieving higher performance thresholds. The list is suggestive and not exhaustive, and airports have the ï¬exibility to determine how they will achieve performance through these activities and others. Infrastructure Operations Management Install physical noise barriers between the airport property and adjacent properties, such as berms and walls. Install run-up areas to shield start-up ground noise from aircraft. Utilize noise soundprooï¬ng and building design features for existing eligible residential properties and provide new construction design recommendations for new developments. Evaluate noise impacts in the planning for airside infrastructure, including runway adjustments, taxing lanes, hangars, etc. Develop a noise exposure map and identify incompatible land use areas, and publish maps available on public website. (Basic Prerequisite) Identify and utilize ï¬ight paths during oï¬-peak hours, and over landscape features, to minimize noise impacts. Adapt landside planning to evaluate noise impacts for the design, construction, and operation of landside (non- aircraft) mobile and stationary sources. Implement a noise abatement plan that includes best practices for lowering noise levels such as a âFly Quietâ program. Establish a noise complaint resolution process that actively engages neighboring properties and airport visitors, tracks reported complaints with airport responses, and provide this info publically. Establish a noise working group that includes airlines and meets at least on quarterly basis. Regularly review and update noise maps and plans at least every 5 years (Superior Prerequisite). Implement a rebate incentive program for low-sound- classiï¬ed Stage 4 designated aircraft and usage of alternatives to aircraft engine powered taxing. Assess the indirect economic impacts due to airport noise from, for example, residential and commercial displacement.
D-18 Prototype Airport Sustainability Rating SystemâCharacteristics, Viability, and Implementation Options 3 HW 1 â Airport Noise Compatibility FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS Reducing airport-related noise impacts can enhance the quality of life for airport patrons and nearby residents, and increase community receptivity to future airport projects. Certain noise abatement practices for aircraft can reduce fuel burn and related emissions, shorten ï¬ight durations, and improve ground management of aircraft. However, variation in ï¬ight paths may increase noise complaints with operational changes. Changes in airspace management with air trafï¬c control modernization may exacerbate community relations in the short run as residents see aircraft over diï¬erent areas with increased traï¬c volumes. In addition, airports should consider the capital investments required for changes to aircraft operations and the related runway usages changes or noise abatement infrastructure necessary. DOCUMENTATION Airports should fully document all actions taken to address airport noise compatibility and be able to provide descriptions for the following: Assessment reports and maps Infrastructure upgrades Written policies Updated planning documents Web resources for communities and other stakeholders References to adopt best practices for airport noise compatibility include: The Federal Code of Regulations Title 14: Aeronautics and Space, Part 150: Airport Noise Compatibility Planning provides guidance on the proper method for developing and submitting a noise exposure map, identifying incompatible land use areas, and planning to reduce the eï¬ects of noise. The Los Angeles World Airports- Sustainable Airport Planning, Design, and Construction Guidelines 5.0 and the Chicago Department of Aviation Sustainable Airport Manual 2.1 provide guidance on suitable noise levels for diï¬erent areas of the airport terminal and property . The Los Angeles World Airports- Sustainable Airport Planning, Design, and Construction Guidelines 5.0 and the Chicago Department of Aviation Sustainable Airport Manual 2.1 suggest infrastructure improvements for addressing airport noise. The San Francisco International Airport Fly Quiet Program http://f lysfo.prooï¬c.net.s3.amazonaws.com/pdf/about/SFOFlyQuietProgram.pdf NoiseQuest Project guidance sponsored by the FAA, NASA and Transport Canada http://www.noisequest.psu.edu/
Airport Sustainability ActivitiesâUser Guide Excerpts D-19 1 Human Well-Being Labor Relations METRIC: Average percent annual employee retention rate across all labor categories. PURPOSE Labor Relations promotes the retention of airport personnel through reasonable compensation and beneï¬ts, along with their fair treatment. DEFINITION Labor Relations is deï¬ned as the constructive interaction between airport management and personnel that establishes mutually agreed upon productivity goals while maintaining a reasonable quality of life for workers. Reasonable compensation includes the provision of fair/living wages. Fair/living wages allow employees to maintain a decent standard of living that meets the basic needs of themselves and their families. Fair/living wages exceed national legislated requirements, such as the minimum wage and workerâs comp. Beneï¬ts are compensations an organization provides to its employees that are in addition to normal wages. Beneï¬ts include regular contributions (e.g., retirement funding, health insurance) or other forms of support (e.g., daycare, wellness programs, transportation assistance, onsite amenities). Fair treatment of employees includes the incorporation of anti-discrimination and equal opportunity policies. It also includes the open and transparent interaction between airport management and personnel for the purposes of inclusivity and accountability. This activity increases the likelihood of employee retention and minimizes the risk of labor unrest that can disrupt airport operations and threaten airport security. Employee retention protects the investments an airport has made in the collective knowledge base and skill sets of its employees. RELATED ACTIVITIES EP 1 â SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE FINANCIAL INVESTMENT HW 6 â EMPLOYEE DEVELOPMENT HW 8 â DIVERSITY & OPPORTUNITY HW 9 â OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH & SAFETY EL 1 â AIRPORT-WIDE STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT PERFORMANCE LEVELS Four points are available based on the level of performance. Performance Level Take Off Ascend Cruise Soar Threshold 30% 45% 60% 75% Points 1 2 3 4 See the DOCUMENTATION section to determine how to calculate average percent annual employee retention rate. HW 7 Level Take Off Ascend Cruise SoarPoints 1 2 3 4 SAMPLE SAMPLE O E S N
D-20 Prototype Airport Sustainability Rating SystemâCharacteristics, Viability, and Implementation Options 2 HW 7 â Labor Relations PERFORMANCE RECOMMENDATIONS The table below includes recommended actions from across airport infrastructure, operations, and management that can enhance labor relations and achieve higher performance thresholds. The list is suggestive and not exhaustive, and airports have the ï¬exibility to determine how they achieve performance through these activities and others. Infrastructure Provide an on-site child care facility for employees, partner with a local facility, and/or provide subsidies or ï¬nancial support to help meet the child care needs of employees. Support transportation assistance programs for commuting employees such as airport sponsored vanpools. Establish on-site private nursing and pumping spaces for mothers of infants and toddlers. Create a plan to maximize employee and tenant access to daylight and day-lit spaces. Operations Establish an airport volunteer âgreen teamâ with an annual budget and oï¬cial standing. Maintain a publically available and updated list of chemicals utilized at the airport, locations of usage, and their material safety data sheets (MSDS) information. Establish an airport stakeholder written policy on the usage of products with volatile organic compounds including paints, perfumes, colognes and other potential impact sources for chemically sensitive individuals. Oï¬er employees the opportunity to donate their home materials to a local non-proï¬t, school or government agency. Management Guarantee a living wage across all labor categories based on local costs of living, in addition to a meaningful raise system. Provide health insurance for some portion of employees who work less than the state or federal threshold whereby insurance is mandatory, or provide live support for individuals to navigate new healthcare exchange options. Conduct regular employee satisfaction surveys and implement a mechanism to resolve prevalent or severe issues raised by the evaluation. Facilitate collective bargaining representation for all unionized airport employees aimed at reaching agreements on labor issuesâe.g., beneï¬ts, wages, hours, training, health and safety, overtime, and grievances. Provide an employee assistance or wellness program that oï¬ers counseling, referral, well-being and ï¬nancial services to employees. Coordinate with programs linking welfare-to-work recipients and unemployed and underemployed city residents to airport jobs. Assess the economic return (resulting from fewer days of sick leave, less truancy and turn-over) of employee beneï¬ts and engagement programs, such as alternative work schedules, leave transfer programs, on-site child care, educational program, etc.
Airport Sustainability ActivitiesâUser Guide Excerpts D-21 3 HW 7 â Labor Relations DOCUMENTATION Tracking Airport Employee Retention Rate requires a yearly audit across all labor categories of the percent of airport employees that remain employed with the airport. The following calculation should be used to determine the airport employee retention rate for the performance year. Where: A = Total number of airport employees at the beginning of the performance year . B = Number of employees that leave employment during the performance year. The following data is required for the performance year: Total number of airport employees across all labor categories Number of employees that leave employment, either through employ er or self-termination. Additional documentation should be collected for internal and external veriï¬cation, if applicable, including: A summary narrative outlining the employee retention rate. A brief description programs and policies in place to address employee retention. Copies of employee contracts or other documentation of collective bargaining, promotion and wage schedules, beneï¬t packages, and other employee incentives . = â
D-22 Prototype Airport Sustainability Rating SystemâCharacteristics, Viability, and Implementation Options 4 HW 7 â Labor Relations FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS Airports should evaluate the risks and beneï¬ts of providing tools and resources for increasing employee engagement. Studies ï¬nd disengaged employees take more sick days, produce lower quality work, are less productive, and generate poor sales. Moreover, disengaged employees are more likely to quit, causing the airport to incur costs from recruiting, hiring, training, loss of company knowledge, disruption of customer service, lost sales, and negative company-wide morale. All impacts combined, it may cost up to 40-50% of the salary for each employee lost. Investing in employee engagement tools can mitigate these negative impacts by enhancing quality of life during and outside of work. Studies ï¬nd ï¬rms with high employee satisfaction also exhibit greater levels of productivity and eï¬ciency. Companies with satisï¬ed, engaged employees can often yield 10% higher productivity rate than those who are disengaged. In addition, optimizing labor relations enables airports to attract and recruit talented candidates. Understanding how much turnover costs can help an airport decide how much to invest into programs that reduce turnover. Airports can estimate these costs by tracking the annual turnover rate of employees (by labor class and average salary) while considering an average cost of turnover as a percent of salary (e.g. 40%). Example Table to Demonstrate Concept Labor Class # of Employees Average Salary Annual Turnover Rate Turnover Cost as a percent of salary Total Cost of Turnover 1 ### $#,### ##% ##% $#,### 2 ### $#,### ##% ##% $#,### Estimating the cost of turnover, and in turn the savings from reduced turnover, can help an airport gauge the return of investment of various employee beneï¬t and engagement programs. Fair and responsible compensation also creates an indirect regional economic beneï¬t by increasing money available to spend on the regional economy. SAMPLE