<p>Runway and taxiway configuration could affect airport capacity and safety, and airline taxiing time and fuel consumption. In this study, a discrete-event stochastic simulation model is created to explore the impact of four different runway and taxiway choices on a fictional airport with parallel runways that have End-Around Taxiways (EAT) at each end. Scenario 1 represent the conventional runway and taxiway choices used in parallel runway systems, while Scenarios 2, 3, and 4 mimic three new choices that become possible because of the usage of the EAT. Three designed experiments are used to explore the influence of the four scenarios in terms of taxi time, fuel consumption, and number of runway crossings during high traffic periods, as well as the ability to cope with increases in the load level. </p> <p>Some main findings are: 1) using the outboard runway to land and the EAT as the taxi-in path would yield the shortest average taxi-out time, while the average taxi-in time is similar or longer than that in the conventional choice; 2) if arrival aircraft are allowed to land over an active EAT, using the outboard runway to take off and the EAT as the taxi-out path would show advantages in both the average taxi-in time and the average taxi-out time; 3) if the EAT is operated under current FAA regulation, using the outboard runway to take off and the EAT as the taxi-out path could still show advantages in the average taxi-in time, while the average taxi-out time is the longest during high arrival period; 4) the results of the average fuel consumption indicate similar trends with the results of the average taxi time; 5) using the EATs could either eliminate the number of runway crossings or reduce it significantly; 6) the taxi times with the use of EATs are more stable against the increases in the load level in comparison with the conventional choice.</p> <p>Safety and human factor issues related to allowing arrival aircraft to land over an active EAT are discussed, as well as some future research topics. This study may encourage airport operators and researchers to explore how to make full use of existing EATs. This study, along with future cost-benefit analyses based on the results of this research, would be a valuable reference for airports that consider constructing EATs in the future. </p>

<p>A runway incursion occurs when an aircraft, ground vehicle, or a pedestrian is present on a runway when they were not supposed to be there. Runway incursions are a decades-old and continuing problem. The runway incursion between two Boeing 747s at Tenerife airport in 1977 is still the worst accident in aviation history. Despite the aviation community’s efforts to mitigate runway incursions, the number of incursions has not decreased. Though most of the runway incursions that occur today are near-misses or incidents, and do not result in injuries or aircraft damage, we cannot count on fortune to prevent another deadly accident.</p><p>While the COVID-19 crisis has slowed air traffic, the industry is optimistic about recovery and return to the growth in air traffic we have seen over the past decade. With this growth comes the potential for more runway incursions. Therefore, we must develop better ways of preventing incursions. Runway incursion incidents are one way to learn more about how we can prevent similar incidents in the future and reduce the probability of serious accidents. Unfortunately, most incident reports lack detailed information on the causes of runway incursions. In the United States, trained investigators at the National Transportation Safety Board investigate aviation accidents, but not most incidents, including incursions. Air traffic controllers on duty at the time of incursion report the incident to the FAA. While most controller reports explain what happened, they often do not explain why the incident happened. We need deeper insight into why incidents occur so that we can develop more effective measures to reduce incursions.</p><p>After controllers submit their incident reports, reviewers at the FAA go through the controller-generated reports and determine the need for further investigation. They may contact the controllers for more information or talk to the pilots involved. This research considers one aspect of the reporting process — the reporting form. The research hypothesis is that an alternative reporting form that asks detailed questions and guides the controller to look deeper into an incident can provide more details on human error and causes of these errors than the current form, which does not necessarily prompt controllers to gather all the details of the incident.</p><p>The design of the alternative reporting form is based on the theoretical framework of expert systems. Expert systems, which provide tailored questions and guidance to medical doctors and others, have proven useful in other fields. The resulting alternative tool aims to guide controllers into answering three major questions: what happened (which aircraft were where, and when), how it happened (e.g., controller gave the wrong instruction), and why it happened (e.g., controller was fatigued).</p><p>To investigate how controllers interact with different reporting formats and what helps them or detracts them from creating useful reports, the research experiment involved controllers reporting two hypothetical runway incursions either using the alternative reporting tool or an online survey based on the current FAA form. The experiment used surveys, think-aloud protocols, observations, and interviews to collect data on what controllers included in their reports and how controllers generated these reports. The findings helped compare the type of information we get from the two reporting formats, and how the reporting formats affected the quality of the incident reports.</p><p>Overall, the alternative tool-generated reports provided more information than the online survey based on the current FAA form. Each controller who participated in the experiment approached preparing an incident report differently and different factors motivated them to specify details of the incident. While the format of the alternative reporting form helped one controller talk to the pilot and learn more about why the pilot made an error, the format did not have the same impact on another controller.</p><p>This research identifies ways of helping controllers prepare more useful reports. This research may help the FAA improve data collection. More useful reports in the future can help the aviation community identify the cause of human errors leading to incursions, and develop more effective mitigation strategies, ultimately saving lives.</p><p><br></p>

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This thesis investigates two main aspects of air transportation system, demand and capacity. The first study aims to estimate the potential market for Zip Vehicles, an advanced commuter type of aircraft equipped with automation and electric propulsion technologies. A Multinomial Logit Model was developed to estimate the mode choice behavior of commuters between Zip vehicle, auto and transit in seven metropolitan areas in the United States. The results showed that the Out-of-Vehicle travel time plays an important role in the decision process of commuters. Zip Vehicle is predicted to achieve residual demand with the current technologies and could become more competitive if it was equipped with Vertical Take-Off Technology. The second study developed a hybrid airport runway capacity model that blends both deterministic and simulation techniques. The model includes a graphic user interface that allows high degree of freedom to modify input parameters, such as airport information, weather conditions, minimum separation distances and aircraft grouping system. The model is widely validated and it appears to be a consistent solution for estimating airport capacity at different levels and with various degree of extensibility. / Master of Science

The research described herein is composed of four major areas of practice. It examines the overall performance of runways and provides tools designed to improve current runway operations and management with particular emphasis on contaminated surfaces. Presented in this thesis is an overview of how to design airport pavements in order to achieve optimal friction by specifically focusing on material selection and construction techniques for rigid and flexible pavements. Rubber buildup and the impact rubber accumulation has on decreasing runway friction, particularly in a range of climatic conditions, is discussed. Four commonly used rubber removal techniques are presented and evaluated. Through this research, an analytical hierarchy process (AHP) decision making protocol was developed for incorporation into airport pavement management systems (APMS). Runway surface condition reporting practices used at the Region of Waterloo International Airport are evaluated and recommendations for improving current practices are identified. Runway surface condition reporting can be improved by removing subjectivity, reporting conditions to pilots in real time, standardizing terminology and measurement techniques, and including runway pictures or sketches to identify contaminant locations where possible. Reports should be incorporated and stored in the APMS. Aircraft braking systems and their effects on landing distances under contaminated conditions are discussed. This thesis presents a proposed solution for monitoring and measuring contaminated runway surfaces and identifying the risks associated with aircraft landing through using the Braking Availability Tester (BAT). Also proposed in this thesis is a testing framework for validating the Braking Availability Tester. The proposed BAT measures interaction between aircraft antiskid braking systems and runway contaminants to determine landing distances more accurately. Finally, this thesis includes a discussion explaining how pavement design, contaminant removal, results from friction tests, and results from the BAT can be incorporated into airport pavement management systems. APMS data can be analyzed to economically optimize and prioritize scheduling of pavement maintenance, preservation and rehabilitation treatments to maintain a high level of service, thereby contributing to runway safety and optimization.

The research described herein is composed of four major areas of practice. It examines the overall performance of runways and provides tools designed to improve current runway operations and management with particular emphasis on contaminated surfaces. Presented in this thesis is an overview of how to design airport pavements in order to achieve optimal friction by specifically focusing on material selection and construction techniques for rigid and flexible pavements. Rubber buildup and the impact rubber accumulation has on decreasing runway friction, particularly in a range of climatic conditions, is discussed. Four commonly used rubber removal techniques are presented and evaluated. Through this research, an analytical hierarchy process (AHP) decision making protocol was developed for incorporation into airport pavement management systems (APMS). Runway surface condition reporting practices used at the Region of Waterloo International Airport are evaluated and recommendations for improving current practices are identified. Runway surface condition reporting can be improved by removing subjectivity, reporting conditions to pilots in real time, standardizing terminology and measurement techniques, and including runway pictures or sketches to identify contaminant locations where possible. Reports should be incorporated and stored in the APMS. Aircraft braking systems and their effects on landing distances under contaminated conditions are discussed. This thesis presents a proposed solution for monitoring and measuring contaminated runway surfaces and identifying the risks associated with aircraft landing through using the Braking Availability Tester (BAT). Also proposed in this thesis is a testing framework for validating the Braking Availability Tester. The proposed BAT measures interaction between aircraft antiskid braking systems and runway contaminants to determine landing distances more accurately. Finally, this thesis includes a discussion explaining how pavement design, contaminant removal, results from friction tests, and results from the BAT can be incorporated into airport pavement management systems. APMS data can be analyzed to economically optimize and prioritize scheduling of pavement maintenance, preservation and rehabilitation treatments to maintain a high level of service, thereby contributing to runway safety and optimization.

The main purpose of this study is to examine how the media representation of the war in Ukraine is portrayed in Balenciaga’s runway for "Summer 23" collection in Paris Fashion Week 2022. To reach the objective of this study I used an approach based on a qualitative method with support from theories concerning socio-semiotics, Pierre Bourdieu’s theory of capital, provocation and taste. The material, based on video sequences and screenshots from the runway-show, are analyzed in correlation to the contemporary social and cultural context of a westernized perspective. The outcome of this study indicates that Balenciaga, as a luxurious brand with high levels of all forms of capital, alludes to the media’s representation of war as a means of provocation, which makes the "good taste" that they possess change. / The primary aim with my Media Production is to create a visual material whose purpose is to emotionally touch the intended target group to click on the Action for Happiness website and to learn more about how one can live to achieve a happier life. My animated introductory video is meant to be an entry to the "10 Key Words for a Happier Life" page on the website.

<p dir="ltr">Runway incursions remain a persistent safety risk affecting both towered and nontowered airports. While new technologies and initiatives are continuously discussed and developed, high costs and complexities of implementation remain barriers to adoption. Low-cost runway status lights, enabled by new surveillance methods and simplified lighting systems, may bring an effective method of providing direct-to-pilot warnings of runway conflicts to the nontowered and general aviation airports that need them most. Using a flight simulator in a virtual reality environment, the author presented three different scenarios with and without simplified runway entrance lights to pilots, comparing performance within subjects, while assessing the effect of providing system information to participants between subjects. An adapted NASA Task Load Index and post-participation survey were used to answer additional questions regarding pilot perceptions of the runway entrance lights. This study found that simplified runway entrance lights reduce the risk of runway incursions in nontowered, no-traffic environments when a conflicting aircraft is difficult to see. These findings were consistent with participants’ general opinion on the benefit of runway entrance lights. Furthermore, the provision of system information was found to be important but not critical to system effectiveness. Studies on pilot trust and other components of the runway status light system are recommended, as are real-world trials.</p>

Master of Science / Department of Civil Engineering / Mustaque A. Hossain / The objective of this research project was to assess the condition of general aviation airport pavements in Kansas. The study was also intended to form the basis for a pavement management system (PMS). A total of 137 runways from 107 airports across the state were surveyed. MicroPAVER, a PMS system developed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, was selected as the platform for the PMS. An inventory database was developed for all runways in the network. Information about the construction and maintenance history was entered into the MicroPAVER database. On-site surveys were conducted between the months of May and July of 2008 to assess pavement conditions in terms of the Pavement Condition Index (PCI), following the methodology outlined by ASTM D 5340-04 and adopted by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Approximately 68% of the sections surveyed were in “good” to “satisfactory” condition. Almost one-third of the network can be rated as “good.” About 21% of the sections studied were in “fair” condition. Overall, the condition of the network can be rated as “satisfactory.” A condition prediction curve was developed for each of the two different types of surfaces. From the prediction curves created using MicroPAVER, it was estimated that the number of branches rated as “good” could decrease by 50% by 2010. As much as 44% of the network could have a rating of “fair” by 2013 if the sections receive only routine maintenance. Two budget scenario comparison reports developed show that the 108 runways of the 78 general aviation airports eligible for FAA funding in Kansas could be brought to a “satisfactory” rating or above (i.e. average PCI ≥ 70) by spending approximately $15 million on average per year for the next five years.

Este trabalho apresenta um estudo focado na implementação de metas de manutenção funcional de pavimentos flexíveis aeroportuários de pistas de pouso e decolagem. Os aeroportos além de terem que desempenhar sua função conforme especificado pela Agência Nacional de Aviação Civil (ANAC), devem também preservar os pavimentos existentes em boas condições e promover segurança e conforto ao usuário. Ainda que haja critérios para definição de estratégias de manutenção dos pavimentos para as pistas de pouso e decolagem em outros países, é recomendado para o caso de aeroportos no Brasil a consideração de outros parâmetros relacionados a patologias e bacias transversais na superfície do pavimento. O objetivo desse trabalho é propor metas para uma manutenção efetiva para avaliação funcional de pavimentos aeroportuários flexíveis e com esse intuito, foram feitos levantamentos bibliográficos referentes a avaliação funcional, principais patologias encontradas em pavimentos flexíveis, avaliação de segurança em pavimentos aeroportuários, levantamento do índice de irregularidade internacional (IRI), principais índices de avaliação funcional e sistemas de gerenciamento de pavimentos utilizados no Brasil e em alguns países, e um estudo de caso para definição de parâmetros importantes adaptados à realidade brasileira para a criação de metas de manutenção. Para o estudo de campo foram realizados levantamentos nas pistas de pouso e decolagem de quatro aeroportos regionais no Estado de São Paulo. Os levantamentos realizados foram defeitos/patologias existentes na pista, irregularidade longitudinal e bacias transversais da pista. Para o levantamento da irregularidade longitudinal e bacias transversais na pista foi utilizado o equipamento Planógrafo AX 02, enquanto os defeitos foram levantados de acordo com a regulamentação americana do FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) para determinação do PCI (Pavement Condition Index) de acordo com o procedimento da norma ASTM D5340 (2012). / This paper presents a study focused on the implementation of functional maintenance targets for airport runway flexible pavement. Airports besides performing its function specified by the Brazilian National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC), should also preserve existing pavements in good condition and promote safety and comfort to the passenger. Although there are already criteria to define pavement maintenance strategies for runways in other countries, it is recommended for the Brazilian airports to consider other parameters related to pathologies and transversal basins on the pavement surface. This research consists on establishing an effective maintenance for functional evaluation of flexible runway pavement. Once established the purpose a literature review aiming to study the functional evaluation in flexible pavements was performed. The references also include main distresses found in asphalt pavements, safety evaluation on runway pavements, the International Roughness Index (IRI), the main functional evaluation indexes and Airport Pavement Management Systems in Brazil and in worldwide, and a case study to define important maintenance parameters adapted to Brazilian runways. The survey in loco was carried out to collect information about the runway state of four regional airports. This inspection detected irregularities along the runway and failure in the cross-section profile by the Planograph AX 02 equipament, and also revealed pavement defects pathologies according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations to determine the Pavement Condition Index (PCI), ASTM D5340 (2012).