Evaluation of the Relationship of Service Levels, Functional Categories, and Design Standards for General Aviation Airports (7-1988-S)

This study examines certain airport design standards in an effort to understand the rationale behind their development. Researchers studied the standards to identify potential standards for relaxing. The focus is on smaller, less active airports where revised standards may make certain needs and projects affordable without compromising safety and operational capabilities. Accident records were reviewed to determine what role, if any, the accidents were caused by insufficient design standards. Existing standards were reviewed and revised standards were recommended based on the role and functional category of particular airports. Finally, the impacts of these revised standards for smaller, less active airports were examined by reviewing the potential for cost saving on projects included in two separate capital improvement programs.