BACKGROUND
ACRP Report 132: The Role of U.S. Airports in the National Economy (2015) demonstrated that the nation’s airport system provides essential transportation services for millions of travelers and shippers of goods. Public use airports in the United States create and sustain 11.5 million jobs and contribute $1.6 trillion to the economy annually when direct, indirect, and induced economic effects are considered. However, aviation results in both benefits and disbenefits (e.g., as described in ACRP Research Report 221: Measuring Quality of Life in Communities Surrounding Airports). As communities become more socially and environmentally conscious, increased concerns focused on some of the adverse impacts of aviation activity, including its contribution to climate change. This has most recently appeared as social pressure to discourage air travel. Airport practitioners need resources to effectively communicate the industry's benefits and impacts, including economic impacts, environmental impacts, and sustainability efforts, to multiple audiences in a balanced, evidence-based manner.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this research is to provide resources and guidelines to help airports present a balanced and objective look at the benefits and disbenefits of air travel and local airport activity. The resources and guidelines should include:
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Primer summarizing current understanding of the impacts of aviation on climate change; international, regional, and local efforts to discourage aviation activity; and the risks of reduced activity (e.g., adverse impacts to air service and the economy);
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Guidebook that includes:
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Guidelines and resources to help airports:
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Respond to community climate change concerns using information from evidence-based research about benefits and impacts;
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Build partnerships with local communities, key influencers, and other stakeholders;
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Anticipate and prepare for relevant emerging issues that could affect attitudes toward air travel; and
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Develop messaging/communication strategies that allow airports to translate evidence-based research findings to:
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Communicate positive actions and benefits made by airports (e.g., new technologies, environmental sustainability efforts, economic impact, and other quality of life benefits); and
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Respond to misinformation;
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A minimum of four case studies (non-U.S. examples may be considered) of airports of various sizes and locations that have provided a balanced and objective look at the benefits and disbenefits of air travel activity; and
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A list of resources.
The guidelines and techniques should be scalable and adaptable to the unique conditions of the airport, including airport type, size, governance, and resource availability.
STATUS: Research is complete. Publication expected in 3rd quarter 2024.
