Mission

For the past 28 years, the Aviation Capacity Group at the Technical Center has developed, tested, and applied simulations models in response to the FAA Airports Capacity Program.

Recognizing the problems posed by congestion and delay within the National Airspace System, the FAA, airport operators, and aviation industry groups have initiated joint Airport Capacity Design Teams at various major air carrier airports throughout the U.S. Each Capacity Design Team identifies and evaluates alternative means to enhance existing airport capacity, to handle future demand, to decrease delays, and to improve airport efficiency.

The program started in 1976 with a prototype study of Chicago O'Hare. Also in 1976, the Airfield Delay Simulation Model (ADSIM) was acquired and validated. By 1981, twelve initial studies were completed. In 1981, the controllers strike delayed the studies. During that time, the group developed the Runway Delay Simulation Model (RDSIM). The study of the top 40 delayed airports restarted in 1985. In 1987, the Airport and Airspace Simulation Model (SIMMOD) was acquired for airspace studies. The group continues to improve the models to meet the needs of future capacity issues.

With the use of these models, the capacity of almost every major and medium airport in the United States has been investigated by applying fast time computer simulation models, either validated, improved, or developed by the Aviation Capacity Group in the Capacity Modeling and Analysis Group. To date, the Airport Capacity Enhancement Design Teams have made over 500 capacity producing recommendations. Many of the airports studied have already begun or completed construction of recommended improvements. Since the start of the program, over 50 Airport Capacity Design Teams have either completed their studies or have work in progress.

In addition to Design Team studies, the group has also participated in nearly 40 tactical initiative studies and specifically requested projects. These studies may require the use of the models and/or additional work from the analyst involved in the study.

The need for this program continues. In 1995, 25 airports each exceeded 20,000 hours of airline flight delays. If no improvements in capacity are made, the number of airports that could exceed 20,000 hours of annual airline flight delays is projected to increase 16% (to 29 airports) by 2004.

The challenge for the air transportation industry in the future is to enhance existing airport and airspace capacity and to develop new facilities to handle future demand. As environmental, financial, and other constraints to restrict the development of new airport facilities in the US, an increased emphasis has been placed on the redevelopment and expansion of existing airport facilities.