Page 170 - Planning and Design of Airports

Airport Planning Studies 137

6. Definition of airport roles and policy strategies
7. Recommendation of system changes, funding strategies, and
airport development
8. Preparation of an implementation plan

Although the process involves many varied elements, the final
product will result in the identification, preservation, and enhance-
ment of the aviation system to meet current and future demand. The
ultimate result of the process will be the establishment of a viable,
balanced, and integrated system of airports.

Airport Site Selection
The emphasis in airport planning is normally on the expansion and
improvement of existing airports. However if an existing airport
cannot be expanded to meet the future demand or the need for a
new airport is identified in an airport system plan, a process to
select a new airport site may be required. The scope of the site selec-
tion process will vary with size, complexity, and role of the new
airport, but there are basically three steps—identification, screen-
ing, and selection.
Identification—criteria is developed that will be used to evaluate
different sites and determine if a site can function as an airport and
meets the needs of the community and users. One criterion will be
to identify the land area and basic facility requirements for the new
airport. Part of this analysis will be a definition of airport roles if
more than two airports serve the region. Other criteria might be
that sites are within a certain radius or distance from the existing
airport or community, or that sites should be relatively flat. Several
potential sites that meet the criteria are identified.

Screening—once sites are identified, a screening process can be
applied to each site. An evaluation of all potential sites that meet
the initial criteria should be conducted, screening out those with
the most obvious shortcomings. Screening factors might include
topography, natural and man-made obstructions, airspace, access,
environmental impacts, and development costs. If any sites are
eliminated from further consideration, thorough documentation
of the reasons for that decision is recommended. The remaining
potential sites should then undergo a detailed comparison using
comprehensive evaluation criteria. While the criteria will vary, the
following is typically considered:
Operational capability—airspace considerations, obstructions,
weather
Capacity potential—available land, suitability for construction,
weather