I
am writing to share the attached 2015 - 2016 Guidelines for the Airport
Cooperative Research Program (ACRP) University Design Competition for
Addressing Airport Needs. The Competition is managed for the ACRP by the Virginia Space
Grant Consortium.
The
Competition challenges both individuals and teams of undergraduate and
graduate students working under the guidance of a faculty advisor to
address issues currently facing airports and the National Airspace
System. The Competition offers open-ended, real-world issues in four
broad challenge areas: Airport Operation and Maintenance; Runway
Safety, Runway Incursions and Runway Excursions; Airport Environmental
Interactions, and Airport Management and Planning.
The Competition website is the participant’s source for complete and up-to-date information: vsgc.odu.edu/ACRPDesignCompetition
The following new challenges have been added in each of the four challenge areas:
- Approaches to addressing cybersecurity issues with respect to integrity of aircraft and airport systems
- Safety considerations for drones operating in or near the airport environment?issues and constraints as well as benefits and costs
- Integration of alternative energy-producing and energy-saving technology into the airport environment
- Innovations to accommodate the aging passenger demographic at airports.
Student
winners earn cash prizes and, for first place design submissions, the
opportunity to present at a professional venue and to receive their
award at a Ceremony at the National Academies in Washington, DC.
Feedback
from Faculty and student evaluations on the educational value of the
Competition has been extremely positive. They consistently cite the
value of the open-ended challenges, real-world problems and access to
airport operators and industry experts. The Competition is often used
in capstone design courses, but has also been used by student chapters
of professional societies and as an independent study topic. Airport
issues cross a wide range of disciplines relating to the management,
safety, capacity and efficiency of the nation?s airports.
Questions can be addressed to ACRP@odu.edu.
