Airfield Design for Large Unmanned Aircraft Systems—A Guide (2022)

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2022 A I R P O R T C O O P E R A T I V E R E S E A R C H P R O G R A M ACRP RESEARCH REPORT 238 Research sponsored by the Federal Aviation Administration Subscriber Categories Aviation • Operations and Trafc Management • Terminals and Facilities Aireld Design for Large Unmanned Aircraft Systems A GUIDE omas Mackie Woolpert, Inc. Dayton, OH

AIRPORT COOPERATIVE RESEARCH PROGRAM Airports are vital national resources. They serve a key role in transpor- tation of people and goods and in regional, national, and international commerce. They are where the nation’s aviation system connects with other modes of transportation and where federal responsibility for man- aging and regulating air traffic operations intersects with the role of state and local governments that own and operate most airports. Research is necessary to solve common operating problems, to adapt appropriate new technologies from other industries, and to introduce innovations into the airport industry. The Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP) serves as one of the principal means by which the airport industry can develop innovative near-term solutions to meet demands placed on it. The need for ACRP was identified in TRB Special Report 272: Airport Research Needs: Cooperative Solutions in 2003, based on a study spon- sored by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). ACRP carries out applied research on problems that are shared by airport operating agen- cies and not being adequately addressed by existing federal research pro- grams. ACRP is modeled after the successful National Cooperative High- way Research Program (NCHRP) and Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP). ACRP undertakes research and other technical activi- ties in various airport subject areas, including design, construction, legal, maintenance, operations, safety, policy, planning, human resources, and administration. ACRP provides a forum where airport operators can cooperatively address common operational problems. ACRP was authorized in December 2003 as part of the Vision 100— Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act. The primary participants in the ACRP are (1) an independent governing board, the ACRP Oversight Committee (AOC), appointed by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation with representation from airport operating agencies, other stakeholders, and relevant industry organizations such as the Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA), the American Associa- tion of Airport Executives (AAAE), the National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO), Airlines for America (A4A), and the Airport Consultants Council (ACC) as vital links to the airport community; (2) TRB as program manager and secretariat for the governing board; and (3) the FAA as program sponsor. In October 2005, the FAA executed a contract with the National Academy of Sciences formally initiating the program. ACRP benefits from the cooperation and participation of airport professionals, air carriers, shippers, state and local government officials, equipment and service suppliers, other airport users, and research organi- zations. Each of these participants has different interests and responsibili- ties, and each is an integral part of this cooperative research effort. Research problem statements for ACRP are solicited periodically but may be submitted to TRB by anyone at any time. It is the responsibility of the AOC to formulate the research program by identifying the highest priority projects and defining funding levels and expected products. Once selected, each ACRP project is assigned to an expert panel appointed by TRB. Panels include experienced practitioners and research specialists; heavy emphasis is placed on including airport professionals, the intended users of the research products. The panels prepare project statements (requests for proposals), select contractors, and provide technical guidance and counsel throughout the life of the project. The process for developing research problem statements and selecting research agencies has been used by TRB in managing coop- erative research programs since 1962. As in other TRB activities, ACRP project panels serve voluntarily without compensation. Primary emphasis is placed on disseminating ACRP results to the intended users of the research: airport operating agencies, service pro- viders, and academic institutions. ACRP produces a series of research reports for use by airport operators, local agencies, the FAA, and other interested parties; industry associations may arrange for workshops, training aids, field visits, webinars, and other activities to ensure that results are implemented by airport industry practitioners. ACRP RESEARCH REPORT 238 Project 07-18 ISSN 2572-3731 (Print) ISSN 2572-374X (Online) ISBN 978-0-309-68741-6 Library of Congress Control Number 2022946396 © 2022 by the National Academy of Sciences. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine and the graphical logo are trade- marks of the National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved. COPYRIGHT INFORMATION Authors herein are responsible for the authenticity of their materials and for obtaining written permissions from publishers or persons who own the copyright to any previously published or copyrighted material used herein. Cooperative Research Programs (CRP) grants permission to reproduce material in this publication for classroom and not-for-profit purposes. Permission is given with the understanding that none of the material will be used to imply TRB, AASHTO, APTA, FAA, FHWA, FTA, GHSA, or NHTSA endorsement of a particular product, method, or practice. It is expected that those reproducing the material in this document for educational and not-for-profit uses will give appropriate acknowledgment of the source of any reprinted or reproduced material. For other uses of the material, request permission from CRP. NOTICE The research report was reviewed by the technical panel and accepted for publication according to procedures established and overseen by the Transportation Research Board and approved by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. The opinions and conclusions expressed or implied in this report are those of the researchers who performed the research and are not necessarily those of the Transporta- tion Research Board; the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; or the program sponsors. The Transportation Research Board does not develop, issue, or publish standards or speci- fications. The Transportation Research Board manages applied research projects which provide the scientific foundation that may be used by Transportation Research Board sponsors, industry associations, or other organizations as the basis for revised practices, procedures, or specifications. The Transportation Research Board; the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; and the sponsors of the Airport Cooperative Research Program do not endorse products or manufacturers. Trade or manufacturers’ names or logos appear herein solely because they are considered essential to the object of the report. Published research reports of the AIRPORT COOPERATIVE RESEARCH PROGRAM are available from Transportation Research Board Business Office 500 Fifth Street, NW Washington, DC 20001 and can be ordered through the Internet by going to https://www.mytrb.org/MyTRB/Store/default.aspx Printed in the United States of America

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C O O P E R A T I V E R E S E A R C H P R O G R A M S AUTHOR ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The research reported herein was performed under ACRP Project 07-18 by Woolpert, Inc.; Ricondo & Associates, Inc.; and Faith Group, LLC. Woolpert, Inc., was the contractor and fiscal administrator for this work. Thomas E. Mackie, PS, Vice President and Program Director at Woolpert was the Project Manager and Principal Investigator. The authors of this report are Thomas E. Mackie, PS, Vice President and Program Director, Woolpert, Inc.; Maria Muia, PhD, Senior Airport Planner, Woolpert, Inc.; Sheldon C. Menezes, CM, Project Manager, Woolpert, Inc.; Drishti Valecha, Research Analyst, Woolpert, Inc.; David Fleet, Director of Consulting, Faith Group, LLC; Robert Varani, PMP, CM; David Ramacorti, CM; and Stephen Smith, Directors, Ricondo & Associates, Inc. CRP STAFF FOR ACRP RESEARCH REPORT 238 Christopher J. Hedges, Director, Cooperative Research Programs Lori L. Sundstrom, Deputy Director, Cooperative Research Programs Marci A. Greenberger, Manager, Airport Cooperative Research Program Theresia H. Schatz, Senior Program Officer (retired) Demisha Williams, Senior Program Assistant Natalie Barnes, Director of Publications Heather DiAngelis, Associate Director of Publications ACRP PROJECT 07-18 PANEL Field of Design Michael R. Scott, Reno, NV (Chair) Matthew Dowell, Golden Triangle Regional Airport, Columbus, MS Jennifer Eckman, Minot International Airport, Minot, ND Andrew Y. Ndolo, Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, Washington, DC Samuel Burk Siewert, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Prescott, AZ Basil Yap, Hovecon, Winston-Salem, NC James Schroeder, FAA Liaison Christopher J. Oswald, Airports Council International–North America Liaison Christine L. Gerencher, TRB Liaison

ACRP Research Report 238: Airfield Design for Large Unmanned Aircraft Systems—A Guide provides insight into airfield design issues, considerations, and challenges for the unique operational needs of large unmanned aircraft systems (L-UAS; weighing 55 lbs or more), considering safety and capacity at existing airfields of different types and sizes. The guide addresses integration vs. segregation of operational areas at airfields as well as considerations for different L-UAS categories and capabilities, integration of technology (e.g., command and control systems, detect and avoid systems, cybersecurity, and infra- structure and utilities). It also addresses airport master planning, including economic and cost considerations, L-UAS support infrastructure (e.g., maintenance facilities, hangars, terminal, and fueling), environmental impacts (e.g., hazmat, noise, and battery storage), and approach surfaces and terminal airspace. The project did not address accommodations for space vehicles and spaceports. L-UAS activity for civilian purposes continues to grow and expand as operators use L-UAS not only for surveillance, aerial photography, and infrastructure inspection, but also for disaster relief and commercial operations. As airports consider introduction of L-UAS that need to use airports, a number of questions arise. It is unknown whether current airfield surfaces are adequate for use by L-UAS; whether there is a design impact on capacity and safety; whether airports should seek to integrate them with or segregate them from traditional aircraft operations; and, in communities with multiple airports, whether communities should integrate L-UAS at the primary commercial service airport or design another airport for L-UAS. As indicated in ACRP Research Report 212: UAS and Airports, Volume 2, Incorporating UAS into Airport Infrastructure Planning, airport planners and engineers are considering whether and how to update master plans/airport layout plans for UAS. As technologies advance, UAS operators will find airfield design guidelines useful to their business and operational decisions. Many L-UAS operate in a manner similar to traditionally piloted aircraft and, therefore, need airfield facilities for their safe and efficient operation, but airfield facility planning guidance specifically tailored to address the unique needs of L-UAS is limited. ACRP Project 07-18 was led by Woolpert, in association with Ricondo & Associates, and Faith Group, LLC. The research was conducted over a period of 18 months to address the challenges, issues, and concerns associated with introducing new L-UAS into the airport environment. The primary audience for this research consists of airport managers, planners, UAS operators, and other stakeholders. F O R E W O R D By Theresia H. Schatz Staff Officer Transportation Research Board

In addition to the research and technology studies, the research team collaborated with facilities and UAS industry experts in the United States who are actively operating L-UAS operations at airports. Interviews with a selected group of airports, organizations, UAS operators, and various subject matter experts from across the UAS and aviation industries were conducted. With the limited number of existing L-UAS operations at U. S. airports, and the number of uniquely designed L-UAS, it was crucial to call on those stake- holders who have experience within the L-UAS industry.

Note: Photographs, figures, and tables in this report may have been converted from color to grayscale for printing. The electronic version of the report (posted on the web at nap.nationalacademies.org) retains the color versions. 1 Summary 6 Chapter 1 Introduction 6 Research Goals and Objectives 7 UAS Industry—Current State 8 Focus of the Guide—L-UAS 8 Roles of Airports and Stakeholders in Integration of L-UAS 9 Guide Structure 11 Chapter 2 L-UAS Technology Review 11 Introduction 11 L-UAS Categories and Capabilities 17 Launch and Recovery Mechanisms 21 Propulsion Mechanisms 22 Comparison with Aircraft Design Standards 27 Chapter 3 Airfield Component Impact Analysis 27 Design Criteria Impact Summary 27 Airfield Components 48 Chapter 4 Determining Airport Compatibility 48 Key Considerations 49 Segregation Versus Integration 49 Guide to Airport Considerations for Segregation Versus Integration 53 References and Selected Bibliography A-1 Appendix A Technology Review Inventory B-1 Appendix B Stakeholder Interviews and Notes C-1 Appendix C Abbreviations D-1 Appendix D Glossary C O N T E N T S