Environment and Energy Research & Airport Environmental Research 

To:	REDAC E&E Subcommittee

By: 	Mr. Ryan King, Tech Center & 	Dr. Jim Hileman	Chief Scientific & Technical Advisor for 	Environment and Energy

		Office of Environment and Energy 	

Date:	March 16, 2016

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Outline	

Environment and Energy Research 

Background

Environmental and Energy Strategy

Budget line items supporting environment and energy research

Airport Environment Research

FY16 Projects

Plans for FY17, FY18 and beyond

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             NOISE                        AIR QUALITY             WATER QUALITY               ENERGY                GLOBAL CLIMATE

Aviation impacts community noise, air quality, water quality, energy usage, and climate change

Environmental impacts from aviation could pose a critical constraint on capacity growth

FAA are pursuing aircraft technology, alternative jet fuels, operations, and policy measures to address the environmental challenges facing aviation

Aviation Environmental Challenges

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Vision and Principles

Vision: 

	Environmental protection that allows sustained aviation growth

Guiding Principles:

Limit and reduce future aviation environmental impacts to levels that protect public health and welfare. 

Ensure energy availability and sustainability. 

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Aviation E&E Policy Statement (Federal Register 77-141, 2012): http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/apl/environ_policy_guidance/policy/media/FAA_EE_Policy_Statement.pdf

Want increased mobility with reduced environmental impacts and enhanced energy availability and sustainability

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Environment & Energy Goals
| Aspect      | Goal                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
|-------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Noise       | Reduce the number of people exposed to significant noise around U.S. airports in absolute terms, notwithstanding aviation growth, and provide additional measures to protect public health and welfare and our national resources (population exposed to DNL 65 in 2018 is 300,000 people). |
| Air Quality | Achieve an absolute reduction of significant air quality health and welfare impacts attributable to aviation, notwithstanding aviation growth.                                                                                                                                              |
| Energy      | Improve National Airspace System (NAS) energy efficiency and develop and deploy alternative jet fuels for commercial aviation.                                                                                                                                                              |
| Climate     | Limit the impact of aircraft CO2 emissions on the global climate by achieving carbon neutral growth by 2020 compared to 2005 (2020 CO2 emissions equal to 2005 levels), and net reductions of the climate impact from all aviation emissions over the longer term (by 2050).                |

Aviation E&E Policy Statement (Federal Register 77-141, 2012): http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/apl/environ_policy_guidance/policy/media/FAA_EE_Policy_Statement.pdf

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Technology

Alternative Fuels

Operations

Policy

IMPLEMENT

ADVANCE SCIENCE AND INTEGRATED MODELING

Aviation Environmental Tool Suite

Source characterization

Health and welfare impacts

Propagation and dispersion

IMPROVE

Adapt roadmaps

Fill research pipeline

EVALUATE

Progress toward goals

Mitigation opportunities

PLAN

Environment and energy policy statement 1

U.S. climate action plan 2

Research roadmaps 3

GOALS

Noise

Air Quality

Climate

Energy

FAA VISION

Reach the next level of safety, efficiency, environmental responsibility and global leadership

Environmental & Energy Strategy

Notes:

Aviation E&E Policy Statement (Federal Register 77-141, 2012): http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/apl/ environ_policy_guidance/policy/media/FAA_EE_Policy_Statement.pdf

U.S. Aviation GHG Emissions Reduction Plan: http://www.icao.int/environmental-protection/Pages/ClimateChange_ActionPlan.aspx

Environment and Energy Website: http://www.faa.gov/go/environment

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PILLAR 1: Improved Scientific Knowledge and Integrated Modeling

Decision-making based on solid scientific understanding

Work with research community through the Aviation Sustainability Center (ASCENT)

Understand public health and welfare impacts

Incorporate this knowledge within the Aviation Environmental Tool Suite

Science and Tools

PILLAR 2: New Aircraft Technologies

Offer the greatest opportunity to reduce environmental impacts 

Partner with industry, research community, NASA, and Department of Defense 

Mature new engine and airframe technologies through the Continuous Lower Energy, Emissions and Noise (CLEEN) Program 

Technology

PILLAR 3: Sustainable Alternative Aviation Fuels

Reduce environmental impacts, enhance energy security, and provide economic benefits

Collaborate with stakeholders through the Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative (CAAFI)

Test alternative jet fuels to ensure they are safe for use through ASCENT and CLEEN

Analyze their potential for reducing the environmental impacts of aviation

Alternative Fuels

PILLAR 4: Air Traffic Management Modernization and Operational Improvements

Increase efficiency of aircraft operations through the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen)

Engage with industry, research community, NASA, and Department of Defense 

Develop advanced operational procedures to optimize gate-to-gate operations

Integrate infrastructure enhancements to the National Airspace System (NAS), improving environmental performance

Calculate the environmental benefits of air traffic management modernization and operational improvements,

Operations

PILLAR 5: Policies, Environmental Standards, and Market Based Measures

Implement domestic policies, programs, and mechanisms to support technology and operational innovation

Develop and implement aircraft emissions and noise standards

Work within the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to pursue a basket of measures to address emissions that affect climate, including a global market based measure as a gap filler

Seek international partners to further our environmental and energy strategy

Policy

http://www.faa.gov/nextgen 

http://www.caafi.org

http://www.faa.gov/go/cleen 

http://ascent.aero

The Five Pillar Approach

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Environment & Energy PortfolioR&D within Office of Environment and Energy

Core RE&D (A13.a) Environment & Energy

Improve scientific understanding of environment & energy constraints 

Incorporate scientific knowledge into an integrated analytical tool suite

Analyze mitigation options for reducing environmental impacts including policy measures and environmental standards

NextGen RE&D (A13.b) Environmental Research

Mature airframe and engine technologies

Advance sustainable alternative jet fuels

NextGen F&E (1A08D) Environment Portfolio

Environmental analysis support to NextGen

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Aviation E&E Policy Statement (Federal Register 77-141, 2012): http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/apl/environ_policy_guidance/policy/media/FAA_EE_Policy_Statement.pdf

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Airport Environmental Research

Extending model of airport technology research programs on pavement and airport safety to improve the performance of airports in reducing their environmental impacts while responding to community needs for transportation services

Following collaborative model used for community noise survey - coordinated effort among Office of Airports, Tech Center, and Office of Environment and Energy

Initiated with five projects using FY16 funding 

Lead: Ryan King (Tech Center)

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Draft Airport Environmental Research Objectives

Identify improved methods for reducing aviation noise and air quality impacts of airport operations on nearby communities.

Advance sustainability of airport operations and development by reducing the utilization of resources by all activities associated with airport operations. This also includes understanding the impact of climate change on airport facilities, airport operations, and developing strategies for achieving resiliency with minimum resource impacts.

Improve the efficiency and effectiveness of meeting agency NEPA responsibilities.

Improve the effectiveness of compatible land use planning and related controls through better integration of plans, design criteria, and databases of local agencies and airports.

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Airport Environmental Research FY16 Projects

Evaluating Fixed dB Values used in Determining Noise Level Reduction Requirements [with sound insulation programs]

Noise Dispersion with ELSO PBN departures

Develop air quality screening criteria for airport actions

Review of Airport Guidance for Climate Adaptation and Resiliency

Research on Airport Environmental Concerns and Mitigation Measures

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Airport Environmental Research Topic Areas FY17+

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1. Reduce Aviation Noise & Air Quality Impacts

Aircraft Flight Operations

2. Sustainability

4. Enhance Analytical Abilities

Public participation / community involvement technologies

3. Land Use Planning

Ground Operations

Solid Waste / Recycling

Digital coordination

3-D airspace maps

Existing / planned land use

Zoning controls

Sound exposure maps

Water and Energy Use

Climate Adaptation and Resilience

Auxiliary Power Unit Operations

Ground Support Equipment

Sound Insulation Program

Improving airport planning & environmental review through GIS data exchange

Airport Access

Analytical modeling improvements

Databases

Summary

Airport Environmental Research 

Collaborative effort among ARP, AEE and Tech Center

Starting five projects this year with FY16 funds

Developing long term research plan

Important funding source to develop environmental solutions to help airports and surrounding communities

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|                                               | FY16   | FY17   | FY18           |
|-----------------------------------------------|--------|--------|----------------|
| Airport Environmental Research                | $1.0M  | $1.0M  | $1.0M to $1.5M |
| Aircraft Noise Annoyance & Sleep Research | $0.75M | $0.75M | $1.0M          |

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Backup – FY16 AER Research Projects

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Evaluating Fixed Decibel Values used in Determining Noise Level Reduction Requirements

Issue:   ASTM E966, Standard Guide for Field Measurements of Airborne Sound Insulation of Building Facades and Facade Elements, is used to evaluate a structure’s sound insulation needs by analyzing how much noise penetrates the building envelope. This is called the Noise Level Reduction or NLR. ASTM E966 has fixed decibel adjustment values for testing residential sound insulation.  The values are an approximation in many cases; i.e., in road traffic noise reduction, a facade to be measured is often surrounded by other rooms or other structures.  The values are essentially oriented to these non aviation noise types of environments.

Approximations aircraft noise are challenging for single family homes which are typically in sound insulation programs.  The acoustic baffle effect is often week due to a variety of technical and contextual factors.  As a result,  decibel adjustment values can become significantly lower, particularly at low frequencies. 

There is a need for analysis to evaluate and improve the accuracy of noise level reduction testing. This issue was identified during ongoing Sound Insulation AC update Noise Level Reduction (NLR) research funded by ARP and managed by AEE.  

Note:  Existing sound insulation (eligibility) work on NLR research and 65db noise level research are sufficient, progressing nicely, and are not in funding jeopardy.  However, as noted above, fixed decibel adjustment values in the current testing standard came into question during NLR research.

Deliverable:  

Research, analysis, and validation of fixed decibel adjustment values for testing residential sound insulation around airports. 

Benefits to Airports:  Additional information of the fixed decibel adjustment values at airports will enhance the effectiveness of residential sound insulation, the public’s confidence in the testing program, and can be used as a basis to revise ASTM standards.

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Evaluating Fixed dB Values used in Determining Noise Level Reduction Requirements

The current research being completed is funded through ARP Admin Funds {from Jim Byers} secured last  year to examine two aspects used to determine noise level reduction how much noise penetrates the building envelope), one being the spectral class used and the other being the modeling methodology.  

This research would analyze and validate an appropriate fixed decibel adjustment used for noise level reduction for aircraft as the current values are oriented to non-aviation noise types.

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Noise Dispersion with Equivalent Lateral Spacing Operations (ELSO) PBN Departures

Issue: PBN implementation at airports can result in heightened community noise concerns, as aircraft overflights are concentrated along specific points on the ground.  Prior to PBN, there was more dispersion about the flight track.  With increased conformance of headings coming into the NAS due to PBN, research is needed to better inform conceptual procedure layout.  Instead of dispersion around one heading, multiple PBN tracks can be used to ameliorate noise focusing from departures.

Deliverable:

Identify the minimum divergent heading needed between two PBN departure tracks, at a given distance from the runway end, that can provide a quantifiable reduction in community noise perceptions on the ground.  Evaluate using applicable noise metrics.  Quantify using multiple headings (1-15 degrees) and variable distances from the airport out to 15 nautical miles. Evaluate changes in fuel burn and emissions to quantify tradeoffs of these considerations with noise.  

Provide results for use by airports and FAA staff during ELSO implementation activities with updated planning guidance.  Phase 2 of the ELSO effort is evaluating the safety and efficiency of divergent headings between 1-degree and 9-degrees.  Results would inform conceptual procedure layout at locations with noise sensitive areas, including during the conduct of PBN work groups and airport Part 150 studies.

Benefits to Airports:  The noise data will provide an additional tool for airport operators to evaluate  acceptable headings/tracks during the conceptual procedure layout in PBN work groups.  The goal would be to select an applicable divergent heading that is preferred for community noise purposes, while maintaining efficiency of the flight procedure.  For example, a preferred divergent heading could be selected to avoid a noise sensitive area instead of an alternative heading available through ELSO.  Or for a runway with departure noise issues, a single PBN track could be replaced with two PBN tracks in order to reduce noise focusing.

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Noise Dispersion with Equivalent Lateral Spacing Operations (ELSO) PBN Departures

AEE research focuses on metrics

This research would use applicable metrics to identify the minimum divergent heading needed between two PBN departure tracks that can provide a quantifiable reduction in community noise perceptions on the ground.  It would also evaluate the safety and efficiency of divergent headings.

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Develop air quality screening criteria for airport actions

Issue:   Air quality analyses for airport projects can take many forms depending on the geographic region, scale of project, applicable regulations, type of construction, etc.  With a new air quality assessment tool coming online, and changes to the FAA Air Quality Handbook, the institutional knowledge regarding how to scope and implement air quality analyses to adequately comply with the Clean Air Act and NEPA is obsolete. There is an immediate need for new methods and procedures to screen, scope, and conduct air quality analyses for airport actions. 

Deliverable:  

Identify the spectrum of potential airport air quality analyses, from common projects at small GA airports up to capacity expansions at major hubs. 

Analyze relevant policies, including the FAA ‘presumed to conform’ list, de minimis thresholds, and other applicable regulations that influence the legal requirements and analytical processes of specific projects.  

Recommend new processes and/or methods of air quality analysis for airport projects that will ensure consistency and accuracy nationwide. 

Provide the technical support documents that validate the procedures, and coordinate with EPA as necessary. 

Benefit to Airports:  A new process will help FAA staff and airport sponsors quickly identify the air quality analysis requirements of a proposed project, facilitate project development and review, and streamline costs.

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Airport Air Quality Screening Methods

AEE develops the FAA Air Quality Handbook, which does not include a screening method for airport air quality analysis.

This research would develop a screening method to be used by airports, which could be incorporated into the Handbook and other airport guidance.

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Review of Airport Guidance for Climate Adaptation and Resiliency

Issue:  The 2014 US National Climate Assessment summarizes impacts of climate change on United States now and in the future, including impacts (e.g. temperature change, sea level rise, precipitation, extreme weather events ) by region. The assessment also acknowledges that climate change will impact airport infrastructure in the future.   Executive Orders on impacts of climate change underscore that resiliency is a priority that should be integrated into federal programs.

Using research synthesized in the National Climate Assessment, regional climate assessments need to be compared with airports locations to enable FAA to accurately assess possible impacts to airports and future needs to ensure resiliency.

After possible effects are known, research is needed to determine if FAA airport guidance and orders account for resiliency, to accommodate changing climatic conditions at a regional level. 

Deliverables  

An assessment of climate change impacts to airports at a regional level

Assessment of existing Advisory Circulars, Orders, Design Standards/Criteria, etc. to determine if they account for resiliency to accommodate changing climatic conditions

List of Advisory Circulars/Orders, Standards, Design Criteria, etc. that may require update when considering the adverse effects of climate change

Benefit to Airports:   Understanding of climate change impacts on existing infrastructure and how to update advisory circulars/Orders, standards, design criteria, etc. to ensure that an adequate level of resiliency is built into future standards.  Standards that include resiliency will provide for better continuity of operations and enable system efficiency by adapting to the changing climate.

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Review of Airport Standards, AC/Orders, Design Criteria for Climate Adaptation and Resiliency

AEE research focuses on scientific understanding of climate change and aviation impacts to inform adaptation and resiliency decisions by FAA (e.g., ATO Tech Ops decisions regarding navigational infrastructure) and airports.

This research would use scientific understanding to identify climate change impacts on existing infrastructure and how to update advisory circulars/Orders, standards, design criteria, etc. to ensure that an adequate level of resiliency is built into future standards.  

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Research on Airport Environmental Concerns and Mitigation Measures

Issue: Community environmental issues, particularly noise complaints, are on the rise. ARP and AEE will perform synthesis project to systematically analyze available information to better understand specific issues, identify trends, and formulate prioritized solutions to help airports become better neighbors to the community.

Deliverable:

Synthesis and analysis of environmental issues and community concerns regarding airport actions.  Synthesis will identify issues and activities at airports, and key airports of concern, by gathering information from ARP HQ and district office specialists, and other resources.  

Analysis will identify FAA actions, both ARP and ATO, that have been implemented at key airports of concern, and evaluate any correlation between actions and concerns. 

Research project will identify opportunities for future environmental research projects by evaluating what is being done or could be done to address these issues.

Research project will deliver a list of prioritized solutions to help airports become a better neighbor to the community.

Benefits to Airports:  Draw from the collective experience of ARP specialists and others to deliver a synthesis and analysis of the environmental issues associated with FAA actions and a prioritized list of solutions that can help airports and the FAA to engage with the community to address their concerns.

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Research on Airport Environmental Concerns and Mitigation Measures

AEE research focuses on aircraft technology, operational and policy measures to mitigate environmental impacts.

This research would be a focused synthesis and analysis of environmental issues and community concerns regarding airport actions and a prioritized list of solutions that can help airports and the FAA to engage with the community to address their concerns.

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