The use of geographical information systems for airport engineering and management

The use of geographical information systems (GIS) for transportation has been dominated by the highway transportation sector. The author proposes that airports develop a multi-user GIS for multiple applications to maximize use while minimizing development costs. In late 1993, the author surveyed 172 of the nation's busiest certificated airports concerning their present and planned use of GIS. With a 48 percent response rate to the survey, 58 percent of the airports indicated that they actually use or plan to use a GIS within 36 months. The survey listed 18 potential applications of GIS for airports that can be grouped into infrastructure management, environmental analysis and management, and basic GIS information management functions. Detailed explanations for the potential application of GIS for pavement management; infrastructure management; noise analysis, mitigation, and management; storm water management; and project management are presented. A small GIS to demonstrate the feasibility of using GIS for pavement management, noise analysis, and storm water pollution prevention plans is developed and described. Suggested specifications for airports to consider when developing a GIS are also developed for several applications. The author concludes that GIS will rapidly gain in use at our nation's airports; that airports will begin developing multiple GIS applications; and that the most development will occur at busier airports.