[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 100 (Wednesday, May 22, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25731-25732]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-12813]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Airport Capital Improvement Program National Priority System; 
Comment Request

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of Airport Capital Improvement Program (ACIP) National 
Priority System; opportunity to comment.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is clarifying details of the ACIP National Priority 
System. Comments and recommendations for improving the effectiveness of 
the ACIP National Priority System are solicited.

DATES: Comments and/or recommendations must be submitted on or before 
July 22, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be delivered or mailed to the FAA, Airports 
Financial Assistance Division, Programming Branch, APP-520, Room 615, 
800 Independence Ave, SW, Washington, DC 20591.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Stan Lou, Manager, Programming 
Branch, Airports Financial Assistance Division, Office of Airport 
Planning and Programming, APP-520, on (202) 267-8809.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: FAA Order 5100.39, ``Airport Capital 
Improvement Plan'' describes procedures that are intended to guide the 
distribution of Airport Improvement Program (AIP) funds to the highest 
priority projects nationally. In order to implement the ACIP Order, a 
standard database has been established. This database (NPIAS-CIP) 
provides a common data structure to compile and analyze airport 
development needs. A key element of this process is the determination 
of objective priority ratings for items of work.
    The National Priority is a numerical, computer-generated system for 
prioritizing work items in accordance with agency goals. The ACIP is 
used as a vehicle to evaluate requests for AIP funded airport 
development in an airport's five year Capital Improvement Program 
(CIP).
    The ACIP uses a national priority calculation as prescribed by 
Order 5100.39. Priority numbers are calculated based on the size and 
type of airport (service level) and the type of project (as described 
by the NPIAS-CIP project codes). The national priority calculation:
    <bullet> Provides a standard means to sort projects from high to 
low priority.
    <bullet> Is used to measure how well funding plans (the ACIP) 
address the highest priority needs.
    <bullet> Imitates the existing AIP priority system.
    <bullet> Is not intended to be the sole gauge for project approval.
    The national priority calculation is as follows:

(P*(APT+C+1)+T)*10+APT

Where:

P=Purpose Points (0 to 5 pts)
    Safety/Security=0 pt.
    Reconstruction=1 pt.
    Standards=2 pts.
    Environment=1pt.
    Upgade=3 pts.
    Capacity=3 pts.
    New Airport (Community)= 5 pts.
    New Airport (Capacity)=3 pts.
    Planning=1 pt.
C=Component Points (1 to 6 pts)
    Land=3 pts.
    Runway=1 pt.
    Taxiway=3 pts.
    Apron=4 pts.

[[Page 25732]]

    Lighting=3 pts.
    Approach Aids=2 pts.
    Terminal=5 pts.
    Access=5 pts.
    Planning=1 pt.
    Equipment=3 pts.
    Other=3 pts.
T=Type Points (1 to 3 points), and
    Access=2 pts.
    Acquire Airport=2 pts.
    Terminal Building Bond=2 pts.
    Runway Centerline Lights=1 pt.
    Construction=2 pts.
    Land for Development=2 pts.
    Extension/Expansion=2 pts.
    Runway Friction=1 pt.
    Gates=2 pts.
    Grooving=1 pt.
    Helicopter Landing=2 pts.
    High Intensity Runway Lights=1 pt.
    Improvements=1 pt.
    Mass Transit/Master Plan=2 pts.
    Metropolitan Planning=2 pts.
    Medium Intensity Runway Lights=1 pt.
    Miscellaneous=3 pts.
    Noise Barrier=2 pts.
    Landscaping For Noise=2 pts.
    Noise Plan/Suppression=2 pts.
    Soundproofing=2 pts.
    Obstruction Removal=2 pts.
    Parking=3 pts.
    Partial Instrument=2 pts.
    Relocation Assistance (Non-Noise)=2 pts.
    ARFF Vehicle=1 pt.
    Relocation Assistance (Noise)=2 pts.
    Rehab Runway Lights=1 pt.
    Rehab Taxiway Lights=2 pts.
    Saftety Related Building=2 pts.
    Sealcoat=2 pts.
    Security Improvement=1 pt.
    Runway Safety Area=1 pt.
    Service Road Improvement=3 pts.
    Snow Removal Equipment=2 pts.
    Runway Sensors =2 pts.
    Safety Zone=1 pt.
    Terminal=2 pts.
    Visual Approach Aids=2 pts.
    Construct V/TOL Runway/Vertical Plan=2 pts.
    Weather Reporting=2 pts.
    Runway/Taxiway Signs=1 pt.
    Taxiway Sensors/State Planning =2 pts.
    Air Navigation Facilities=2 pts.
    Deicing Facilities=1 pt.
    Fuel Farm Development=3 pts.
    Utility Development=3 pts.
APT=Airport Points (1, 2, 3, or 6 pts). Airport Points are calculated 
as follows:
    Primary and Reliever Airports
      Large and Medium Hub=1 pt.
      Small and Non Hub=2 pts.
    Commercial Service Airports=3 pts.
    General Aviation Airports
      Aircraft/Operations
      100 or 50,000=1 pt.
      50 or 20,000=2 pts.
      20 or 8,000=3 pts.
      <20 of <8,000=6 pts.

    The ACIP is used to help make AIP fund allotment decisions for each 
airport/development type. Funds are allotted to regions through two 
mechanisms: Commitments and Priorities. Commitments are projects that 
are believed to merit funding regardless of their relative priority 
calculation. These projects typically include Letters of Intend (LOI) 
and ``phased'' projects where it is important to complete a development 
program to derive an acceptable level of benefit for both the airport 
and the national system. Funds for Commitment projects are ``set 
aside'' for each airport/development category. The remainder of the 
available discretionary funds are distributed to the highest priority 
projects which remain unfunded in the ACIP. Priority distribution uses 
a priority ``cut-off'' for each airport/development category.

    Issued in Washington, D.C. on May 2, 1996.
Stan Lou,
Manager, Programming Branch.
FR Doc. 96-12813 Filed 5-21-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M