Reducing Runway Incursions at the Nation's Five Busiest Airports, 2009â??2011

Reducing Runway Incursions at the Nation’s Five Busiest Airports, 2009–2011 by Theodore Patrick Byrne LLM, Loyola Law School, 2004 JD, Pepperdine University, 1992 MBA, Pepperdine University, 1991 BABA, Seattle University, 1988 BA, Seattle University, 1988 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Public Policy and Administration Walden University May 2017 Abstract During the last decade, the number of runway incursions at airports in the United States and worldwide has increased. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has developed the Runway Safety Program (RSP) to address these concerns and improve the safety of the National Airspace System (NAS). The purpose of this study was to determine whether the FAA 2009–2011 RSP has effectively reduced runway incursions at the nation’s 5 busiest airports using data from 3 years before and 3 years after the RSP. A comparison group interrupted time-series design was used to determine the impact of the RSP. A public policy framework served as the theoretical foundation for this study. Data were collected from the FAA on runway incursions occurring from October 1, 2005 through September 30, 2014 and assessed for appropriate inclusion criteria. An analysis of the dataset using chi-square and Mann-Whitney U tests established that though the RSP has made progress, it has not effectively reduced runway incursions at the nation’s 5 busiest airports. The RSP has decreased the number of runway incursion caused by air traffic controllers, reduced the overall severity of runway incursions, as well as positively influenced when, during the phase of flight, most runway incursions happen. An increase in pilot deviations suggests finding better ways to reduce these type of runway incursions is critical, especially with the forecasted growth in air travel. Continued deployment of runway safety technology is also important. With increased aviation safety, positive social change will occur through enhanced public safety while traveling, safer working environments at airports, as well as economic stimulus resulting from increased aviation activities benefiting individuals and developing countries throughout the world.During the last decade, the number of runway incursions at airports in the United States and worldwide has increased. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has developed the Runway Safety Program (RSP) to address these concerns and improve the safety of the National Airspace System (NAS). The purpose of this study was to determine whether the FAA 2009–2011 RSP has effectively reduced runway incursions at the nation’s 5 busiest airports using data from 3 years before and 3 years after the RSP. A comparison group interrupted time-series design was used to determine the impact of the RSP. A public policy framework served as the theoretical foundation for this study. Data were collected from the FAA on runway incursions occurring from October 1, 2005 through September 30, 2014 and assessed for appropriate inclusion criteria. An analysis of the dataset using chi-square and Mann-Whitney U tests established that though the RSP has made progress, it has not effectively reduced runway incursions at the nation’s 5 busiest airports. The RSP has decreased the number of runway incursion caused by air traffic controllers, reduced the overall severity of runway incursions, as well as positively influenced when, during the phase of flight, most runway incursions happen. An increase in pilot deviations suggests finding better ways to reduce these type of runway incursions is critical, especially with the forecasted growth in air travel. Continued deployment of runway safety technology is also important. With increased aviation safety, positive social change will occur through enhanced public safety while traveling, safer working environments at airports, as well as economic stimulus resulting from increased aviation activities benefiting individuals and developing countries throughout the world. Reducing Runway Incursions at the Nation’s Five Busiest Airports, 2009-2011 by Theodore Patrick Byrne LLM, Loyola Law School, 2004 JD, Pepperdine University, 1992 MBA, Pepperdine University, 1991 BABA, Seattle University, 1988 BA, Seattle University, 1988 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Public Policy and Administration Walden University May 2017 Dedication I hereby dedicate this dissertation to my son, Kyle-David Byrne, who missed spending time with his father while this dissertation was completed, but who always encouraged its completion. I further dedicate this dissertation to my youngest brother, Timothy Roy Byrne, who passed away unexpectedly during its completion. May God hold him in the palm of His hand until we meet again. I also wish to thank my parents, Patrick and Diane Byrne, who always instilled in me the value of an education. Finally, I thank the many others who provided me guidance, support and encouragement throughout this arduous adventure. Acknowledgments I wish to thank my dissertation committee members, Dr. Ernesto Escobedo, Dr. Mi Young Lee, and Dr. Kristie Roberts, as well as the many other faculty members at Walden University and elsewhere who encouraged and supported me in the completion of this dissertation. Without their collective encouragement and motivation, this dissertation would never have come to fruition.