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Airport Cooperative Research Program The Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP) was authorized in December 2003 as part of the Vision 100-Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act. In October 2005, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) executed a contract with the National Academi es, acting through its Transportation Research Board (TRB), to serve as manager of the ACRP. Program oversight and governance are provided by representatives of airport operating agencies.
(Updated 9/29/08)
NEED AND PURPOSE
PROJECT PANELS Each project is assigned to a panel, appointed by the Transportation Research Board, which provides technical guidance and counsel throughout the life of the project. Panels include experienced practitioners and research specialists; heavy emphasis is placed on including members representing the intended users of the research products. The panels prepare project statements and select contractors based on evaluation of the proposals received; they guide the projects and review the reports. As in other TRB activities, ACRP project panel members serve voluntarily without compensation. SELECTION OF CONTRACTORS The process for selecting ACRP researchers has been used by TRB in managing cooperative research programs for more than 40 years. This open process allows all potential research agencies to compete on the basis of technical merit, and ensures that all proposers are treated fairly and that the program has access to the best talent available for each project. Proposals from potential research contractors are evaluated by the project panels. The evaluation considers the following: (1) the proposer's demonstrated understanding of the problem; (2) the merit of the proposed research approach and experiment design; (3) experience, qualifications, and objectivity of the research team in the same or closely related areas; (4) the plan for promoting application of results; (5) the proposer's plan for participation of Disadvantaged Business Enterprises--small firms owned and controlled by minorities or women; and (6) the adequacy of the facilities. Selected agencies perform research under contract to the National Academies, guided by a Procedural Manual for Agencies Conducting Research in the Airport Cooperative Research Program. FUNDING The Vision 100-Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act authorized $10 million per year for the ACRP in Fiscal Years 2004 through 2007. Given the timing of the approval of the Act vis-à-vis the Fiscal Year 2004 appropriation process, no funds were appropriated for the program in Fiscal Year 2004. ACRP funding is determined by the annual federal appropriation process. The FAA provided a total of $13 million to carry out research in fiscal years 2005 and 2006; $10 million for fiscal year 2007; and $10 million for fiscal year 2008. PRODUCTS Primary emphasis is placed on disseminating ACRP results to the intended end-users of the research: airport operating agencies, service providers, and suppliers. The relevant industry associations will play key roles in making research information available through their committee structures. The ACRP will produce a series of research reports for use by airport operators, local agencies, FAA, and other interested parties; industry associations may arrange for workshops, training aids, field visits, and other activities to ensure that results are implemented by airport-industry practitioners. STATUS The ACRP started in October 2005, when a Memorandum of Agreement was executed by the cooperating parties, and FAA provided funds to begin the program. The ACRP Oversight Committee (AOC) was appointed by Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta and held its first meeting in January to establish operating procedures for the ACRP and to prioritize research needs. The AOC met again in July 2006, January 2007, July 2007, and January 2008. As of February 1, 2008, 96 ACRP studies have been authorized. RESEARCH NEEDS Problem statements, describing research needs, may be submitted to ACRP by anyone at any time. The deadline for problem statements that will be considered for inclusion in the fiscal 2009 program was April 30, 2008. Any Problem Statements received after that date will be included in the next available project selection process. It should be understood that problem statements are not proposals to conduct the research but are used to identify potential research needs only. Problem statements selected by the ACRP Oversight Committee will be the basis for Requests for Proposals that will be issued by TRB and used to select contractors based on competitive proposals. If you have a research need that you would like to submit for consideration, we request that you describe it in accordance with the Problem Statement Outline and submit it electronically by e-mail to ACRP@NAS.EDU. If sent electronically, our preference is for you to include the statement in Microsoft Word format as an attachment to an e-mail message. The problem statement may also be submitted in the text of an e-mail message. Please note that problem statements need not be lengthy; 1-2 pages should be sufficient to describe the research topic in the requested format. Paper copies of problem statements also may be submitted by US Mail to Christopher W. Jenks at the address below or by facsimile to his attention at (202) 334-2006. CONTACT To submit a research problem statement or to request further information on ACRP, write or call:
Cooperative Research Programs Transportation Research Board 500 Fifth Street NW Washington, DC 20001 (202) 334-3089 (202) 334-2006 FAX cjenks@nas.edu |
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