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NAHSP Blog Post #4

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NAHSP Blog Post #4

The project team is excited to announce that the Nevada Airport and Heliport System Plan (NAHSP) is approaching completion! With the help of the NAHSP Project Advisory Committee (PAC), two chapters have been finalized since our last update in October and two additional chapters are well underway. Highlights of those chapters are provided as well as the next steps to bring the NAHSP to the finish line. Please visit our project website to review all of the chapters completed to date.

Chapter 6. Forecast of Aviation Demand: This chapter provides an overview of socioeconomic trends, such as population, employment, and gross regional product (GRP), that may impact aviation activity over a 20-year planning horizon. The socioeconomic data sets the context for the forecasts. The chapter presents the results of multiple methodologies that were employed to identify the most appropriate aviation activity forecast for a number of activity indicators including based aircraft, general aviation (GA) operations, commercial service operations, and enplanements. The project team and NDOT worked closely to review the results of each methodology to identify the methodology that most accurately represents the anticipated forecast for each activity indicator. PAC members were given an opportunity to provide input on preliminary findings during the PAC meeting held in November 2021, prior to receiving the full draft chapter for their review. While the findings of Chapter 6 are not intended to be used for future facility planning at the airport level, they do provide a high-level overview of anticipated aviation demand changes. The information gathered from this chapter is considered in developing project recommendations and policy considerations. Click here to read Chapter 6 of the NAHSP.

Chapter 7. Existing and Future Performance: This chapter is a critical link between establishing existing conditions and identifying project recommendations and policy considerations for airports individually and at the system level. The chapter opens by presenting results of the Value Rating Variable (VRV) and Facility and Service Objectives (FSO) analyses at the airport role and systemwide level. The VRV analysis included NPIAS airports only and the FSOs focused solely on non-NPIAS facilities. More information on the VRV and FSO analysis is presented in Chapter 5. Airport Regional Value (ARV) Methodology. Chapter 7 also presents the results of the Performance Measure (PM) analyses that are tied to the six overarching project goals. The results of the PM analyses indicate how well the system is currently meeting its goals. During the development of this chapter the project team met with the PAC, who assisted in setting future performance targets for the PMs. The future performance targets were critical in identifying preliminary project and policy considerations for the PMs. The information presented in Chapter 7 provides a baseline for the recommendations and considerations presented in Chapter 8. Summary of Recommendations and System Costs. Click here to read Chapter 7 of the NAHSP.

Chapter 8. Summary of Recommendations and System Costs: This chapter serves as the conclusion to all of the data collection, airport classification, activity forecast, and system performance analyses conducted throughout the lifespan of the NAHSP. The chapter, still in final development, will provide an overview of potential future impacts to aviation demands and needs such as large ground transportation projects, significant population growth, and changes to the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS) classifications that may affect system airports. It will also provide project recommendations and policy considerations related to the VRV/FSO analyses and PM analyses presented in Chapter 7. Project recommendations are identified for PMs by evaluating the delta between existing performance and future performance targets, or between existing performance and the objectives identified in the VRV and FSO methodology. The project recommendations will also include identification of cost estimates for the projects that, when summed with provided Airport Capital Improvement Plans (ACIPs), provide an overall understanding of the financial need required to maintain and develop Nevada’s aviation system over the 20-year planning horizon. The policy considerations presented in this chapter focus on areas specific to PMs and other analyses that can help NDOT, and airport managers identify action items that can enhance system performance over time. This chapter will conclude with a discussion of available funding sources and considerations for project prioritization. We look forward to sharing this chapter with you soon!

Chapter 9. Airport Economic Impact Analysis: This chapter presents the methodology and findings of the Nevada Airport Economic Impact Study (AEIS). Using data provided by airport representatives and industry sources, an estimate of the annual economic contribution of Nevada airports is presented. Aviation economic impact is presented in three categories: employment, labor income, and total output at the airport level and statewide. This chapter also presents the tax impacts of the Nevada system airports and highlights three important special events supported by aviation: Burning Man, the High Sierra Fly-in, and the Reno Air Races. This chapter is currently undergoing a review by the PAC and will be posted to the project website soon!

Next Steps:

The project team will be meeting with the PAC in mid-February. This meeting will be used to obtain input prior to finalizing Chapter 8. Summer of Recommendations and System Costs. The PAC will be given an opportunity to provide their thoughts and ideas on the recommendations and considerations that should be included. This final PAC meeting will also include a presentation on the final economic impact findings, results of the airport replacement value analysis, and preview of the individual airport brochures that are being developed for each airport in the system.
After the PAC meeting, the project team will continue working hard to finalize the technical report, produce the NAHSP executive summary, NAHSP study brochure, and individual airport brochures! The project team updates the project website routinely, so check back in to see what’s new! Please note that all chapters are considered draft until the study’s completion in late March.

NAHSP Blog Post #3

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NAHSP Blog Post #3

The project team continues to make progress on several NAHSP and AEIS tasks and is excited to share some project updates.

The project team was able to share several chapters of the NAHSP with the Project Advisory Committee (PAC) for their review. After addressing PAC feedback, these chapters, that are summarized below, are posted to the project website and available here for review. Please note that all chapters are considered draft until the study’s completion.

Chapter 2. Inventory of Aviation System Conditions: This chapter introduces the airports and heliports that make up the Nevada aviation system, discusses the data collection process for the project, and presents information on the existing system’s facilities, activities, and services. The data presented in this chapter is used in subsequent existing system adequacy analyses.

Chapter 3. Airport Roles and Classification Analysis: This chapter reviews existing federal classifications for airports in the state system, including those in the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS) and others included in the system, and outlines the methodology that was developed to identify the NAHSP-specific classifications and the unique roles aviation facilities serve in Nevada. The analysis addresses airports and heliports in the system and suggests facility and service objectives specific to the role that airports play in the system. This information facilitates informed decision-making about resource allocation and identifying needs across the system.

Chapter 4. State, Regional, and Local Airport Issues: This chapter provides important context related to the aviation industry at the national, state, regional, and local level. The chapter identifies the issues or challenges that impact the Nevada aviation system as a whole, as well as at the regional and local level. Some of the issues discussed include COVID-19, funding and increasing costs, new technologies, and more. The information presented in this chapter provides important context for better understanding the system and making informed recommendations.

In addition to producing these chapters, the project team has finalized the Airport Regional Value (ARV) methodology and is currently conducting the analysis associated with that assessment. The ARV assessment is designed to provide an understanding of the value that an airport brings to its community and region. The project team is completing ARV test cases with multiple airports to ensure the methodology is sound and is documenting findings for an upcoming chapter that will be distributed to the PAC for their review in the future. Additionally, the project team is currently conducting the existing system adequacy analysis, which is a crucial component of the project that indicates how well the system is performing in terms of the goals and performance measures established at the onset of the project. Determining system adequacy helps identify where the system is excelling and where there are opportunities to improve, which informs policy and project recommendations made at the end of the project. Findings from these analyses will be included in an upcoming chapter that will be shared with the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) and the PAC for their review and feedback.

The project team has completed data collection efforts for the Nevada Aviation Economic Impact Study (AEIS), which included collecting data directly from airports and on-airport business tenants, reviewing recently published studies relating to visitor spending impacts, and consulting other supplemental resources. The direct data were distributed to airports for validation prior to initiating the economic modelling process in order to estimate the total economic impact of Nevada’s aviation system.

There is a third PAC meeting scheduled for October 21st. This PAC meeting will be a great opportunity for the project team to review the completed work at a high level and discuss next steps with NDOT and members of the committee.

NAHSP Blog Post #2

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NAHSP Blog Post #2

The project team is continuing to make progress on several NAHSP and AEIS tasks.  

Our team developed a series of performance measures which was documented in Chapter 1 which was reviewed by the Project Advisory Committee (PAC). The performance measures are intended to complement the One Nevada Transportation Plan and will allow NDOT a way to track and analyze performance toward achieving the goals.

The project team is wrapping up the intensive data collection effort for both the NAHSP and AEIS. Our team conducted virtual visits with more than 50 airport representatives as well with key aviation stakeholders to learn more about aerial emergency services, tourism support, and governance issues and concerns.

Our team will be documenting the information we’ve collected into an Inventory Chapter and Issues Chapter for PAC review in the coming months. The data collected on the individual facilities will allow our team to classify the 160+ aviation facilities into state-specific system roles, helping define the aviation needs and how airports contribute to the system.

Our team has also been working hard to refine the Airport Regional Value (ARV) concept and process to meet the specific needs and desires of Nevada’s aviation system. The information collected in the inventory will directly feed into the ARV analysis to determine the system’s adequacy.

Travel restrictions and social distancing guidelines with respect to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic are still impacting the team’s ability to safely conduct in-person site visits. We hope sometime during the summer we can hold in-person meetings to personally visit several Nevada airports and even potentially hold an in-person PAC meeting. 

Please keep checking the website for draft chapters and more information on the study’s progress.

NAHSP Blog Post #1

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NAHSP Blog Post #1

The project team is well underway on the 2021 NAHSP and AEIS. The first Project Advisory Committee (PAC) Meeting was held in January 2021 to introduce the study and gain a better understanding of the trends affecting the aviation industry in the State of Nevada. When asked “What does Aviation in Nevada Mean to You?” responses were in the theme of opportunity and development.

The project team recently launched the data collection effort for both the NAHSP and AEIS. Travel restrictions and social distancing guidelines with respect to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic are impacting the team’s ability to safely conduct in-person site visits. Instead our team is conducting virtual video visits with more than 50 airport representatives. The information obtained through the visits and completion of the Data Collection Forms is invaluable to the NAHSP and AEIS. We appreciate the airports’ input and assistance with the data necessary to conduct the analysis.

Beyond Data Collection Forms, the AEIS requires additional information from businesses and organizations that are located on and/or rely on airports. If your business or organization is located on an airport and/or relies on one or more of Nevada’s airports, and you have not yet received a survey, please click here and complete the survey! 

Please keep checking the website for draft chapters and more information on the study’s progress.