At U.S. airports, aircraft parking aprons are complex and challenging areas from both operational and safety perspectives. An array of stakeholders and vehicle types need to access these areas making aircraft parking aprons busy and complex places. Because operational and safety roles, and individual responsibilities, vary from airport to airport most airports have a unique ramp safety program.

The objective of this synthesis is to collect current airport practices for coordinated ramp safety programs.

Information to be described in a concise report includes (but is not limited to):

• How roles, responsibilities, and oversight of apron safety are divided among the airport operator and key stakeholders (airlines, ground service providers, and others that have access to aprons); 
• How airports engage key stakeholders in safety risk assessment, safety assurance, and safety promotion in apron areas; 
• Rules, regulations, agreements, training programs, and guidance that are in place to address apron safety issues; 
• Data and key performance indicators that airports and their key stakeholders use to assess apron safety and safety trends. 

Information will be collected through literature review, a survey of airports if applicable, and interviews with selected airports for the development of case examples. Knowledge gaps and suggestions for future research to address those gaps will also be identified.

Partial Information Sources

ACRP Report 62, Airport Apron Management and Control Programs, 2012 https://www.trb.org/Publications/Blurbs/167097.aspx

ACRP Synthesis 29, Ramp Safety Practices, 2011 https://www.trb.org/Publications/Blurbs/166314.aspx

TRB Staff: Jordan Christensen, jchristensen@nas.edu

STATUS First panel meeting to select the contractor is in June 2024