Airport Planning in the New England Region

1. Airport Planning in the
New England Region
Southern New England APA–Annual Conference
October 18, 2013

2. Presenters
Carol Lurie
Introduction to Airport Planning
Brenda Enos
Climate Adaptation Planning/Resiliency
Stewart Dalzell
Worcester Regional Airport
Susan Nichols
T.F. Green Airport Improvement Program
Alyssa Sandoval
Boston-Logan Environmental Status Report

3. New England Airport System
 Boston-Logan International
hub/primary commercial
service
 Secondary airports
 Other regional airports
 General aviation (GA)
airports

4. Aviation Industry Trends






Larger planes
Higher load factors
Airline consolidation
Legacy/Low cost carriers
Focus on efficiency
Quieter planes

5. Aviation Industry Trends






Larger planes
Higher load factors
Airline consolidation
Legacy/Low cost carriers
Focus on efficiency
Quieter planes

6. Aviation Industry Trends






Larger planes
Higher load factors
Airline consolidation
Legacy/Low cost carriers
Focus on efficiency
Quieter planes

7. Aviation Industry Trends






Larger planes
Higher load factors
Airline consolidation
Legacy/Low cost carriers
Focus on efficiency
Quieter planes

8. Aviation Industry Trends






Larger planes
Higher load factors
Airline consolidation
Legacy/Low cost carriers
Focus on efficiency
Quieter planes

9. Aviation Development Trends
 Efficient and flexible facilities
 Focus on intermodal access
 Sustainable facilities – energy,
waste management
 Climate adaptation
planning/infrastructure resiliency
 Enhanced community engagement
 Non-aeronautical revenue
 Land use compatibility

10. Aviation Development Trends
 Efficient and flexible facilities
 Focus on intermodal access
 Sustainable facilities – energy,
waste management
 Climate adaptation
planning/infrastructure resiliency
 Enhanced community engagement
 Non-aeronautical revenue
 Land use compatibility

11. Aviation Development Trends
 Efficient and flexible facilities
 Focus on intermodal access
 Sustainable facilities – energy,
waste management
 Climate adaptation
planning/infrastructure resiliency
 Enhanced community engagement
 Non-aeronautical revenue
 Land use compatibility

12. Aviation Development Trends
 Efficient and flexible facilities
 Focus on intermodal access
 Sustainable facilities – energy,
waste management
 Climate adaptation
planning/infrastructure resiliency
 Enhanced community engagement
 Non-aeronautical revenue
 Land use compatibility

13. Aviation Development Trends
 Efficient and flexible facilities
 Focus on intermodal access
 Sustainable facilities – energy,
waste management
 Climate adaptation
planning/infrastructure resiliency
 Enhanced community engagement
 Non-aeronautical revenue
 Land use compatibility

14. Airport Development Trends
 Efficient and flexible facilities
 Focus on intermodal access
 Sustainable facilities – energy,
waste management
 Climate adaptation
planning/infrastructure
resiliency
 Enhanced community
engagement
 Non-aeronautical revenue
 Land use compatibility

15. What’s Going on in this Region
 Logan Rental Car Center
(RCC)
 Worcester—JetBlue service
 T.F. Green Improvement
Program
 Terminal redevelopment
at Bradley
 GA airports—RSA
enhancements

16. What’s Going on in this Region
 Logan Rental Car Center
(RCC)
 Worcester—JetBlue service
 T.F. Green Improvement
Program
 Terminal redevelopment
at Bradley
 GA airports—RSA
enhancements

17. What’s Going on in this Region
 Logan Rental Car Center
(RCC)
 Worcester—JetBlue service
 T.F. Green Improvement
Program
 Terminal redevelopment
at Bradley
 GA airports—RSA
enhancements

18. What’s Going on in this Region
 Logan Rental Car Center
(RCC)
 Worcester—JetBlue service
 T.F. Green Improvement
Program
 Terminal redevelopment
at Bradley
 GA airports—RSA
enhancements

19. What’s Going on in this Region
 Logan Rental Car Center
(RCC)
 Worcester—JetBlue service
 T.F. Green Improvement
Program
 Terminal redevelopment
at Bradley
 GA airports—RSA
enhancements
© Matti Paavonen

20. Alyssa Sandoval
Boston-Logan International Airport

21. Logan Airport: The Facts
 In 2010, Logan supported over
94,000 jobs in Massachusetts1
 Estimated total economic impact is
$8.9 billion per year1
 Uses Land Efficiently
– Surrounded on 3 sides by Boston
Harbor with no room to grow
 Very accessible
– 20 minutes by public transit from
Downtown Boston
1. Aeronautics Division of the Massachusetts Department of
Transportation (MassDOT) Statewide Airport Economic Impact Study.
December 20, 2011.

22. Annual Passengers per Acre
1,538
3,257
12,005
8,420
Chicago O’Hare
Logan Airport
Source: FAA 2013, BTS 2013
6,433
Dallas/
Fort Worth
Detroit
Denver

23. Logan EDR/ESPR
 Environmental data report
(EDR) – completed annually:
environmental snapshot
 Environmental Status &
Planning Reports (ESPR) –
approx. every 5 years: provides
big picture of past, present,
and future

24. How is the EDR used?
 To publicly disclose the
environmental impacts
of the Airport to the
broader community
 For use as a planning
document for Massport
planners
 To provide an environmental
baseline for the evaluation of
potential projects
 No other airport in the country
does this
[
Traffic?
Air Quality?
Noise?
Community?
Water Quality?

25. What does EDR Cover?







Flights/passengers/activity levels
Current and future planning projects
Regional transportation trends
Ground transportation
Noise abatement
Air quality/emissions reduction
Water quality/environmental
management
 Annual project mitigation tracking

26. 2011 ESPR Activity Levels Highlights
 More passengers are flying
 Each flight is carrying more
passengers per operation.
– Fewer noise and air quality
impacts from airplanes
 More efficient – larger planes
with higher capacity
Average
Air
Aircraft
Year
Passenger/
Passengers Operations
Operation
2000
27,726,833
487,966
56.8
2011
28,907,933
368,987
78.3
2030
39,831,471
474,734
84.0
Load factors are
projected to
continue improving

27. 2011 ESPR Planning Highlights
 Reports on current and future
transportation, airfield, and
building projects at Logan
 New Car Rental Facility
(completed this Fall)
– Consolidated car rental facilities
into one central location
– Minimizes traffic flow around airport
– Positive air quality benefits
– LEED-Certified
 Network of landscape buffers
– Provides passive recreational
opportunities and shields neighbors

28. Telling the Story of Noise at the Airport
 Noise comes from planes flying in
and out of Logan
 DNL 65 dB is FAA standard metric
for noise
 Measures to reduce noise:
– Minimize flights of noisier aircraft at
night
– Flight paths over Boston Harbor
 Massport’s noise insulation
program highly successful
– Over 11,000 homes have received
sound insulation

29. Telling the Story of Noise at the Airport
 Noise levels from
airplanes has decreased
since 1980 (Orange Line)
– Quieter planes
– Flight paths
 Lowest noise levels in
2010
 Slight increase predicted
in 2030 due to increase in
number of flights

30. Ground Transportation:
How do people get to
the Airport?


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
Car (park or drop-off)
Limousine
Taxi
Silver Line and Blue Line
Water transportation
Logan Express (employees and
passengers)

31. Ground Transportation
Highlights
 One of highest HOV mode shares
of all US airports
 HOV is up - 30% HOV mode share
in 2011 (27.8% in 2010)
 Pilot program since 2012—
Free Silver Line service
from Airport

32. Silver Line Riders
1,000,000
900,359
900,000
831,323
800,000
789,324
709,905
700,000
677,212
642,177
600,000
500,000
HOV up, up, and UP!
400,000
 Silver Line use up by 8% (2010 to 2011)
300,000
254,608
200,000
100,000
0
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011

33. Current and Emerging Issues at Logan


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Climate change
Sustainability
Changing aircraft fleet mix
Planning for flexibility
and efficiency

34. Massachusetts Port Authority
Disaster and Infrastructure Resiliency Planning Study
Brenda L. Enos, CHMM, REM
SNEAPA
October 18, 2013

35. Goals of Study
 Understand Massport’s vulnerability to
climate impacts
 Develop short-term and long-term
resiliency strategies

36. Importance of Air Transportation Facilities
 In any disaster, airports are the first to
receive methods of relief efforts
 Airport has to remain open
 Obligation is to make sure national aid
can be received

37. Importance of Maritime Facilities
 Maritime facilities essential for cargo
import and export
 Cruise ship terminal (Black Falcon) only
one for Boston

38. Airport Study Boundaries
Logan Airport
Maritime Facilities

39. Methodology: 3 Step Approach
Step 1
Hazard Analysis


Climate projections
Scenario development
Step 2
Vulnerability and
Risk Assessment
Step 3
Adaptation
Action Plan

40. Step 1: Choosing the Storm Events
90
Recurrence Interval of Tropical Storms and Hurricanes
80
Recurrence interval (years)
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Tropical
(32)
Cat 1
(9)
Cat 2
(5)
Cat 3
(2)

41. Step 2: Vulnerability and Risk Assessment
Critical Infrastructure

42. Step 3: Adaptation Action Plan
The plan will outline three options:
 Eliminating the hazard or vulnerability
 Minimizing the vulnerability (resiliency)
 Development of redundancy to
minimize the impacts
Two time horizons:
 Short-term (immediate)
 Long-term (2033)

43. What’s New at the
Worcester Regional Airport?
Emerging Issues in Airport Planning in the New England Region
PRESENTED BY
Stewart Dalzell
Deputy Director, Environmental Planning & Permitting
Southern New England APA Conference
Friday, October 18, 2013

44. Massachusetts Port Authority
 State authority created in 1956
 Board appointed by Governor
– Thomas Glynn, CEO
 Self-financing
 Line departments & facilities
– Aviation Department
 Boston-Logan International Airport (BOS)
 Hanscom Field (BED)
 Worcester Regional Airport (ORH)
– Maritime Department
 Port of Boston terminals
 Commercial waterfront development
– Real Estate Assets
 South Boston, East Boston, Charlestown

45. Massport’s Mission

Operate an integrated world-class
transportation network.

Promote economic growth
and opportunity

Enhance the quality of life of
New England residents

Protect the freedom to travel
safely, securely, efficiently
and cost-effectively

Respect customers and colleagues

Embrace diversity

Minimize environmental impact
on neighbors

46. Worcester Regional Airport Overview
 Massport owns, operates and
manages ORH
 Commercial airport with
corporate/GA activity
 Area: 1,300 acre
 Two Runways
– RW 11/29 = 7,000 FT
– RW 15/33 = 5,000 FT
 Passenger Terminal: 68,000 SF
– 4 Jet Bridge capable gates
– 2 additional gates

47. Recent Aviation Activity
2011 Corporate/General Aviation Operations:

45,000 operations

1,222 business jet operations
2011 Commercial Service Aviation Operations:

831 operations

107,400 passengers
Demonstrated success of air service to leisure
destination markets (Punta Gorda, Myrtle
Beach, Sanford, West Palm Beach)

2011: 107,400 PAX (up 51%)

2010: 71,100 PAX (up 55%)

2011: Average PAX load factor was 80%

48. Worcester Regional Airport What’s Happening Now

Commercial operations resuming November
2013
–

New fixed base operator (FBO) facilities/
fuel farm
–

JetBlue flights to Orlando and Fort Lauderdale
Rectrix Aviation broke ground August 2013
All-weather reliability study underway
to evaluate:
–
–

Upgraded ILS (Instrument Landing System)
Partial parallel taxiway
Upgraded wayfinding signage
–

New/larger signs on all major routes
Vegetation Management Plan
–
Maintain clear approach/ departure zones

49. ORH CAT III/TW Project Environmental Permitting
Challenges

Significantly different weather than other
comparable NE airports
– 1 of highest airports east of the Mississippi
– 6x more CAT I & above conditions

New Project Designed to improve
all-weather reliability
– Upgraded Instrument Landing System (ILS)
– Taxiway upgrades
– Complicated permitting process
 Combined State and federal review
 Wetlands, endangered species, construction and
mitigation challenges
Source: Jacobs/VHB Team

50. ORH CAT III/TW Project Environmental Constraints
• Significant resources identified
• Evaluate alternatives to avoid & minimize impacts
Key Environmental
Considerations
• Wetlands
• Rare Species Habitat
• Stormwater Management
• Public Water Supply
Watershed
• Construction Impacts

51. ORH CAT III/TW Project Environmental Permitting
Issues
 Define key project ―purpose & need‖
 Purpose & need sets context for design
and mitigation planning
 Look at steps to:
– Avoid key environmental impacts
– Minimize unavoidable adverse impact
– Mitigate what’s unavoidable
 Mitigation constraints
– FAA wildlife hazards guidance
– Options for offsite mitigation
Source: Jacobs/VHB Team

52. ORH CAT III/TW Project Outreach
 Community and agency outreach is key
part of permitting process
 Early involvement with environmental
agency stakeholders
– MA DEP
– MA NHESP
– US Army Corps
– Local conservation commissions
– MEPA
– NEPA/FAA
Source: Jacobs/VHB Team

53. ORH CAT III/TW Project Outreach
On behalf of Massport and ORH
Thank you!

54. Susan Nichols
T.F. Green Airport Improvement Program

55. T.F. Green Airport Improvement Program

56. Providence
Warwick
T. F. Green Airport
Greenwich
Bay

57. Airport Improvement Program Purpose
The T.F. Green Airport
improvement program will:
 Enhance airport safety
 Enhance efficiency of the airport
and the New England Regional
airport system to more fully meet
the current and anticipated
demand for aviation services

58. Airport Improvement Program Purpose
Efficiency Projects
Safety Projects
 Improve runway 16-34 Runway
Safety Areas (RSAs)
 Relocate Taxiway C
 Demolish Hangar No. 1




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Extend Runway 5-23
Construct new integrated
cargo facility
Expand passenger terminal
Construct new ground support
equipment facility
Construct new belly cargo facility
Construct new fuel farm
Expand automobile parking facilities
Reconfigure terminal access
roadways

59. Intermodal
Facility
Warwick
Pond

60. Agency Coordination and Public Outreach
 Agency coordination
– Inter-agency/tribal agreement
– Consensus points
 Peer advisors
 Public outreach
–
–
–
–
Large public information meetings
Small group meetings
Technical meetings
Public hearing

61. The Alternative Process
 Comprehensive six-level
screening process
 Prepared conceptual
design and analyzed nine
improvement programs
(all projects)
 Narrowed final alternatives
to no-action alternative
and two build alternatives

62. Environmental Impact Assessment
NEPA requires evaluation of:
Community Resources



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
Noise
Compatible land use
Social/Socioeconomic
Surface transportation
Air quality
Historic, architectural,
archaeological, & cultural
resources
Recreational resources
Section 4 (f)
Other Resources
Natural Resources








Community resources
Wetlands & waterways
Water quality
Fish, wildlife, & plants
Federal threatened &
Endangered species
Floodplains
Coastal resources
Wild and Scenic Rivers






Environmental justice,
Children’s health,
& Safety
Farmlands
Hazardous materials,
pollution prevention,
& solid waste
Light emissions & visual
Energy supply, natural
resources, & sustainable
design
Construction

63. Significant Impacts
According to NEPA thresholds




Noise
Compatible land use
Historic resources
Section 4(f) resources
(historic/recreation)
 Wetlands
 Floodplains

64. Mitigation
 Voluntary land acquisition
 Sound insulation
 Documentation and display for
the proposed historic district
and Hangar
 Winslow Park relocation
 Incorporate bicycle and
pedestrian accommodations
into roadway projects

65. Mitigation
 Replace functions
and values of impacted
wetlands
 Provide compensatory
flood storage
 Stream restoration
 Replace off-airport culvert

66. Mid-Flight Corrections
 Reduced forecast
activity levels
– In 2009, FAA revised
national future forecasts for
aircraft activity
 New noise and air
quality models
 Revised economic
impacts

67. Planning and Development in Warwick
InterLink and Warwick Station District

68. For more information, please contact:





Brenda Enos | benos@massport.com
Stewart Dalzell | sdalzell@massport.com
Carol Lurie | clurie@vhb.com
Susan Nichols | snichols@vhb.com
Alyssa Sandoval | asandoval@vhb.com
Photo Credits:
Massport
VisitingDC.com
VHB