Sustainable Master PlanningCharlie McDermott, LEED APCourtney Armbruster, LEED APC&S Companies

AgendaGrowth of sustainability Sustainable planning processCase studyIthaca Tompkins County Regional AirportCommunity outreachHigher education involvementLessons learnedQ&A

Growth of sustainability in aviation Industry efforts:Sustainable Aviation Guidance Alliance (SAGA)FAA, ACC/ACI, AAAE initiatives and committeesAirport efforts:LAWA SustainabilitySustainable Airport Manual (SAM)Sustainability plansDenverSan DiegoSeattlePortland

Airport planning and sustainability What does it mean?Why is it important?How is it different ?What are the benefits?

The sustainable master plan process

Sustainability baseline assessmentsSpecialized data collectionCan involve many different types of specialistsConduct baseline assessments in each sustainability categoryIdentify weak points and make recommendations

Sustainability categoriesHazardous materials, waste management and remediationSurface transportation managementSocioeconomic benefits and community outreach/involvementLand useBuildings and facilitiesDesign and constructionAir quality enhancement and climate changeEnergy conservation and renewable energyNoise abatement Water quality protection and water conservationLand and natural resources managementMaterials use and solid waste reduction/recycling

Setting goals and targetsNeed to establish tangible and measurable goals in each sustainability categoryWork with stakeholders and sponsor to identify goals in alignment with overall mission for sustainable master plan

Options evaluationIdentify facility requirementsEvaluate each project option against a number of criteria:Airport design standardsBest planning practicesContribution to sustainability goals and targetsDevelopment costFacility requirementsImplementation feasibilityPotential environmental impactsStrategic vision of airport

Alternatives evaluationHighest-ranked project options are developed into alternativesConsider sustainability throughout by using two-step decision process 1) Maximize existing facilities first2) Build as a last resort and as sustainably as possibleBest alternative scenario becomes the airport layout planIdentify additional independent sustainability measures

Case Study: Ithaca Tompkins Regional AirportIthaca, NYLocated in Finger Lakes region of upstate New York Home to Cornell University and Ithaca CollegePrimary, non-hub commercial service airport with approximately 100,000 enplanementsSingle runway configuration6,601 x 150 feetCarriers = Delta, Continental/United, US AirwaysRegional jets and turboprop aircraft Destinations are four large northeast hubsCurrent master plan is 15 years old

Ithaca is a very progressive and environmentally focused communityTompkins County has established emissions reduction goalLessons learned can be scaled up or downSynergy exists between sponsor, community, and other stakeholdersSupportive, forward-thinking airport managerFAA approved use of entitlement fundsThe right community for a green airport project

Planned projectsTerminal building TSA space needsAdditional de-icing padsT-hangarsApron lighting layoutCFR/airport admin space needsFuel facility additional capacity Reserve land west of terminal apronAdditional vehicle parking for peak periodsSidewalks

Recommended sustainability initiativesElectric vehicle charge pointsCompressed natural gas fueling stationGround power for GA aircraftPhotovoltaic panelsEnhanced recycling programGreen procurement guidelinesEnergy efficiency improvementsLow/no mow areasGreen vehicles and equipmentWater conservation Enhance pedestrian access to airport

Finding greener ways to meet facility requirementsTerminal expansionFound way to maintain existing footprint for short-termEnsure future addition is built to LEED standardsIncreased vehicle parkingReconfigure existing lots to add more spaces with minimal additional pavementDevelop shared parking agreement for overflow spaces for peak demand periods

Community outreachDeveloped advisory committee at outset of projectDiverse makeup of groupSponsorAirlinesTenantsUsersAcademicsLocal sustainability expertsBenefited from combination of unique perspectives

Community outreachDeveloped custom website www.Sustainable-ITH.comProject updatesDownloadable documentsMeeting recapsOnline passenger, business, and pilot surveysUsed not-for-profit donation funded by C&S as incentive for participationDisplay and handouts set up in terminal during peak periodGiveaways in terminal to increase awareness of project

Higher education involvementCornell University and Ithaca College are world leaders in sustainability and boast several LEED Platinum buildingsBoth campuses have signed American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment, pledging to mitigate their negative impact on climate changeThe campuses are significant contributors to passenger traffic at the airport

College connectionFour classes involved in projectEnvironmental StewardshipEcological LiteracySustainable Practices in Operations & Technology (MBA course)Social & Non-Profit MarketingConsultant team and airport manager made presentations to each classThroughout semester, team fielded questions and facilitated site visits

Student researchStudents researched variety of sustainability initiatives and options for airport and developed reports and presentationsTopics included:LEED EB certificationLandscaping optionsRecyclingVoluntary carbon offsetsGreen roofsSolar photovoltaics and renewable energyTaxiway lightingCompostingCommunity involvement and outreachTransportation demand management

Benefits of student involvementOpportunity for students to engage in groundbreaking projectGet young adults involved in the aviation industryGenerated innovative and creative ideasAccess to unique expertise and resourcesHope to establish long-term relationship with colleges

Lessons learnedso far!Sustainability must be integratedconsider it in every decisionComplete inventory/baseline assessments before goals are establishedCentralize data collectionKeep advisory committee small but diverseElectronic surveys/community-based incentives worked wellLeverage higher education and local sustainability resources

Thank you for coming!Questions?www.Sustainable-ITH.com

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