Stakeholder Centered Sustainability Assessment Of Airport Fueling Projects

Airport planning is a complex process due to the number of standards and regulations that must be met, as well as the involvement of different stakeholders in the planning process. Airport construction and operation is on the rise, and consequently, the sustainable development of airports has become a concern in the development of civil aviation. However, there is limited academic research on developing a systematic framework for airport sustainability assessment. To address these research gaps, this thesis aimed to develop a mathematical sustainability assessment model for supporting sustainable development of airport fueling projects from multi-dimensional assessments that incorporates systematic methods for identifying and aggregating sustainability criteria. The research also presents two models that focus on analyzing the sustainability of these airports from emissions and energy consumption perspectives. Using a "Top-Down-Bottom-Up" methodology, the model identifies and assesses relevant sets of sustainability assessment criteria through quantitative and qualitative indicators that are compared against standard of measures. The proposed mathematical model uses Multi-Criteria Analysis to evaluate project alternatives based on a set of economic, environmental, and social sustainability criteria and indicators, as well as an overall sustainability index. The Multi-Attribute Utility Theory is used to aggregate the different indicators and calculate the sustainability index of each project alternative. The other two models present the first detailed initiative of emissions and energy analyses for aircraft fueling project. The models present the emission and energy impacts of each project alternative numerically and graphically with respect to the sustainability measures (economic, environmental and social). The models were evaluated on their merit by a focus group composed of different stakeholders of airport operations. Two case studies incorporated different designs alternatives and operational conditions for two international Gulf Cooperation Council airport fueling projects to illustrate the models and their practical applications. The case studies used the models to analyze the sustainability of the two aircraft fueling projects. Analysis of the results supported that the suggested models were appropriate to assess the sustainability of airport fueling projects. The data indicates that the implementation of the proposed models would aid in collecting information that would assist in the evaluation of airport sustainability, and would provide a comprehensive analysis that would allow airport fueling projects to operate more efficiently.

The study assesses to what extent the production and use of advanced sustainable jet fuel may contribute to GHG reduction and mitigation, and identifies the commercial potential for initiating and scaling up advanced sustainable jet fuel production at a Nordic level. The report explores as well on how to most efficiently use the available Nordic know-how, feedstock and production facilities. The report draws on the latest available reports and statistics, as well as interviews with stakeholders and experts across the Nordic countries, concludes on identifying the most matured technologies, the Nordic opportunities and challenges, and ideas to mitigate the barriers within the Nordic private and public sectors.

ACRP Report 60: Guidelines for Integrating Alternative Jet Fuel into the Airport Setting is a handbook for airport operators and others associated with drop in alternative jet fuel production and delivery that summarizes issues and opportunities associated with locating (on or off airport) an alternative jet fuel production facility, and its fuel storage and distribution requirements. The handbook identifies the types and characteristics of alternative fuels; summarizes potential benefits; addresses legal, financial, environmental, and logistical considerations and opportunities; and aids in evaluating the feasibility of alternative jet fuel production facilities.

International air and marine travel have been left to one side in past negotiations to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, but unless something is done, emissions from this segment of the world economy will form a progressively larger percentage of the total, especially as emissions fall in other activities. Will Sustainability Fly? broadens and contextualizes the knowledge resource available to academics, policy makers, air industry leaders and stakeholders, and interested members of the public. The book focuses on fuel, providing background in technical and policy terms, from the broadest reliable sources of information available, for the necessary discourse on society's reaction to the evolving aviation emissions profile.

In 2003, Congress established a program to reduce airport ground emissions at airports in areas failing to meet or maintain air quality standards. The FAA administers the Voluntary Airport Low Emissions (VALE) Program and oversees the program's two sources of funding. Participating airports also receive credits for the emission reductions achieved through VALE projects in accordance with the law and guidance. Airports can use these credits to offset emissions resulting from development projects to comply with federal requirements. This report determines: (1) how the VALE program has been implemented, incl. airport participation levels, types of projects, and program expenditures; and (2) the outcomes attributable to the VALE program. Illus.