The Aspen Institute
Wye River Conference Center
Queenstown, MD
June 6–2007
Sponsors NEXTOR, the National Center of Excellence for Aviation Operations Administrative assistance courtesy of the Institute for Systems Research, University of Maryland |
Organizers Michael Ball, University of Maryland |
Background
Air transportation demand decreases starting in late 2001 relieved the earlier pressure on the world-wide airspace system and there seemed to be some reduction in the urgency for taking action to solve the “aviation problem”. Recent demand increases have provided a strong reminder that air transportation demand is rapidly approaching the capacity of the systems on which it is based. The Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act of December 2003 created a public/private partnership to carry out a broad range of activities whose ultimate goal is the development of a U.S. Next Generation Air Transportation System. NextGen is intended to meet the air transportation needs of the U.S. in the 21st century – in particular, to accommodate growth in demand for air traffic services that may result in traffic volumes as large as two or three times today’s levels. In response, the Joint Planning and Development Office (JPDO) was established to lead and coordinate the development of NextGen concepts and plans. The Europeans feel a similar urgency to drastically reform ATM systems and have established the Single European Sky initiative with goals similar to the JPDO.
This workshop will focus specifically on scarce airport capacity. Most would agree that overall runway capacity is the principal factor constraining future U.S. air transportation demand growth. Thus, it is important that this resource be put to its best use. Historically, runway capacity has been formally allocated in only four U.S. airports (Chicago’s O’Hare – ORD, Washington’s Reagan National – DCA and two New York airports: LaGuardia – LGA and Kennedy – JFK) through the so-called “High-Density Rule” (HDR). In fact, this rule was rescinded in 2002 for ORD and for LGA in January of 2007. In anticipation of the expiration of the HDR at LGA, NEXTOR carried out a research project that investigated a variety of measures for controlling congestion in place of the HDR. Among those considered were market-based approaches. In August of 2006, the FAA issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that addressed congestion management at LGA. Among other measures, it stipulated that the HDR slots be replaced with finite lifetime operating authorizations (OA’s) and also expressed the desire to explore the use of market mechanisms to reallocate OA’s after their expiration. This workshop will consider future congestion management alternatives in light of the NPRM, the reaction of the aviation community to it as well as recent research on this problem.
Program
Note: PowerPoint and PDF presentations are available for topics highlighted in red.
June 6, 2007 Afternoon Congestion and Congestion Management in the U.S. Air Transportation System: Current Status and Historical Perspectives Capacity Constraints and the Dynamics of Transition in the US Air Transportation System Airports: A Historic and Prospective View Managing Congestion Using Slots and Slot Exchange Markets Airport Slot Management in Europe History of the Slot Exchange Market in the US and Some Implications Discussion: The Secondary Markets for Slots in the U.S.: Is it working or Not? |
June 7, 2007 Morning Congestion Management Options and NAS Performance Optimum Fleet Utilization under Congestion Management at NY LaGuardia Airport How Over-Scheduling Affects Scheduled Block Times in Different Hub Airports Airport Operator Perspectives and Experiences Afternoon Congestion Management in Highway Systems Political Dimensions of Congestion Pricing: the Case of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge Expectations and Results from Congestion Pricing of Highways The Design of Secondary Markets for Slots The Design of Secondary Markets Discussion: How can the secondary market for slots in the U.S. be made more effective? |
June 8, 2007 Morning Recent Research on Congestion Management Issues at LaGuardia Airport Fleet Mix under Alternative Capacity Allocation Regimes: Recent Evidence LaGuardia Airport Systems Operations Study: Impact of Airport System Operations in the Presence of Airline Aircraft Upgauging Practical Alternatives for Congestion Management Congestion Management Options: A Toolbox Approach Discussion: If you had to fix the congestion problem, which option would you choose and why? |