ACRP OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE*

CHAIR

Marianne Csaky

LanzaJet

VICE CHAIR

Kimberly A. Kenville

University of North Dakota

MEMBERS

Balram “B” Bheodari

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

Darryl Daniels

Jacobsen Daniels Associates

John Dermody

Federal Aviation Administration

Rhonda Hamm-Niebruegge

St. Louis Lambert International Airport

Lance Lyttle

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport

Chad Makovsky

City of Phoenix (AZ)

Scott McMahon

Morristown Municipal Airport

Frank R. Miller

Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority

Ramon Ricondo

Ricondo and Associates, Inc.

Steve Sisneros

Southwest Airlines

Cathryn Stephens

Eugene Airport

EX OFFICIO MEMBERS

Justin Barkowski

American Association of Airport Executives

Sabrina Johnson

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Laura Rinaldi McKee

Airlines for America

Christopher J. Oswald

Airports Council International–North America

Gregory Pecoraro

National Association of State Aviation Officials

T.J. Schulz

Airport Consultants Council

Victoria Sheehan

Transportation Research Board

SECRETARY

Monique R. Evans

Transportation Research Board

__________________

TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH BOARD 2024 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE*

OFFICERS

CHAIR: Carol A. Lewis, Professor, Transportation Studies, Texas Southern University, Houston

VICE CHAIR: Leslie S. Richards, General Manager, Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA), Philadelphia

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Victoria Sheehan, Transportation Research Board, Washington, DC

MEMBERS

Michael F. Ableson, CEO, Arrival Automotive–North America, Detroit, MI

James F. Albaugh, President and CEO, The Boeing Company (retired), Scottsdale, AZ

Carlos M. Braceras, Executive Director, Utah Department of Transportation, Salt Lake City

Douglas C. Ceva, Vice President, Customer Lead Solutions, Prologis, Inc., Jupiter, FL

Nancy Daubenberger, Commissioner of Transportation, Minnesota Department of Transportation, St. Paul

Marie Therese Dominguez, Commissioner, New York State Department of Transportation, Albany

Garrett Eucalitto, Commissioner, Connecticut Department of Transportation, Newington

Chris T. Hendrickson, Hamerschlag University Professor of Engineering Emeritus, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA

Randell Iwasaki, President and CEO, Iwasaki Consulting Services, Walnut Creek, CA

Ashby Johnson, Executive Director, Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO), Austin, TX

Joel M. Jundt, Secretary of Transportation, South Dakota Department of Transportation, Pierre

Hani S. Mahmassani, W.A. Patterson Distinguished Chair in Transportation; Director, Transportation Center, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL

Scott C. Marler, Director, Iowa Department of Transportation, Ames

Ricardo Martinez, Adjunct Professor of Emergency Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Decatur, GA

Michael R. McClellan, Vice President, Strategic Planning, Norfolk Southern Corporation, Atlanta, GA

Russell McMurry, Commissioner, Georgia Department of Transportation, Atlanta

Craig E. Philip, Research Professor and Director, VECTOR, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN

Steward T.A. Pickett, Distinguished Senior Scientist, Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Millbrook, NY

Susan A. Shaheen, Professor and Co-director, Transportation Sustainability Research Center, University of California, Berkeley

Marc Williams, Executive Director, Texas Department of Transportation, Austin

EX OFFICIO MEMBERS

Michael R. Berube, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Sustainable Transportation, U.S. Department of Energy, Washington, DC

Amit Bose, Administrator, Federal Railroad Administration, Washington, DC

Tristan Brown, Deputy Administrator, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation, Washington, DC

Steven Cliff, Executive Officer, California Air Resources Board, Sacramento

Rand Ghayad, Senior Vice President, Association of American Railroads, Washington, DC

LeRoy Gishi, Chief, Division of Transportation, Bureau of Indian Affairs, U.S. Department of the Interior, Germantown, MD

Robert C. Hampshire, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology, U.S. Department of Transportation, Washington, DC

Jason Kelly, Deputy Commanding General for Civil Works and Emergency Operations, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Washington, DC

Zahra “Niloo” Parvinashtiani, Engineer, Mobility Consultant Solutions, Iteris Inc., Fairfax, VA, and Chair, TRB Young Members Coordinating Council

Ann Phillips (Rear Admiral, U.S. Navy, retired), Maritime Administrator, Maritime Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation, Washington, DC

Sophie Shulman, Deputy Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington, DC

Karl Simon, Director, Transportation and Climate Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC

Paul P. Skoutelas, President and CEO, American Public Transportation Association, Washington, DC

Polly Trottenberg, Deputy Secretary of Transportation, U.S. Department of Transportation, Washington, DC

Jim Tymon, Executive Director, American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, Washington, DC

Veronica Vanterpool, Acting Administrator, Federal Transit Administration, Washington, DC

Michael Whitaker, Administrator, Federal Aviation Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation, Washington, DC

Kristin White, Acting Administrator, Federal Highway Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation, Washington, DC

Vinn White, Deputy Administrator, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Washington, DC

___________________

AIRPORT COOPERATIVE RESEARCH PROGRAM

Airports are vital national resources. They serve a key role in transportation of people and goods and in regional, national, and international commerce. They are where the nation’s aviation system connects with other modes of transportation and where federal responsibility for managing and regulating air traffic operations intersects with the role of state and local governments that own and operate most airports. Research is necessary to solve common operating problems, to adapt appropriate new technologies from other industries, and to introduce innovations into the airport industry. The Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP) serves as one of the principal means by which the airport industry can develop innovative near-term solutions to meet demands placed on it.

The need for ACRP was identified in TRB Special Report 272: Airport Research Needs: Cooperative Solutions in 2003, based on a study sponsored by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). ACRP carries out applied research on problems that are shared by airport operating agencies and not being adequately addressed by existing federal research programs. ACRP is modeled after the successful National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) and Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP). ACRP undertakes research and other technical activities in various airport subject areas, including design, construction, legal, maintenance, operations, safety, policy, planning, human resources, and administration. ACRP provides a forum where airport operators can cooperatively address common operational problems.

ACRP was authorized in December 2003 as part of the Vision 100—Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act. The primary participants in the ACRP are (1) an independent governing board, the ACRP Oversight Committee (AOC), appointed by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation with representation from airport operating agencies, other stakeholders, and relevant industry organizations such as the Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA), the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE), the National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO), Airlines for America (A4A), and the Airport Consultants Council (ACC) as vital links to the airport community; (2) TRB as program manager and secretariat for the governing board; and (3) the FAA as program sponsor. In October 2005, the FAA executed a contract with the National Academy of Sciences formally initiating the program.

ACRP benefits from the cooperation and participation of airport professionals, air carriers, shippers, state and local government officials, equipment and service suppliers, other airport users, and research organizations. Each of these participants has different interests and responsibilities, and each is an integral part of this cooperative research effort.

Research problem statements for ACRP are solicited periodically but may be submitted to TRB by anyone at any time. It is the responsibility of the AOC to formulate the research program by identifying the highest priority projects and defining funding levels and expected products.

Once selected, each ACRP project is assigned to an expert panel appointed by TRB. Panels include experienced practitioners and research specialists; heavy emphasis is placed on including airport professionals, the intended users of the research products. The panels prepare project statements (requests for proposals), select contractors, and provide technical guidance and counsel throughout the life of the project. The process for developing research problem statements and selecting research agencies has been used by TRB in managing cooperative research programs since 1962. As in other TRB activities, ACRP project panels serve voluntarily without compensation.

Primary emphasis is placed on disseminating ACRP results to the intended users of the research: airport operating agencies, service providers, and academic institutions. ACRP produces a series of research reports for use by airport operators, local agencies, the FAA, and other interested parties; industry associations may arrange for workshops, training aids, field visits, webinars, and other activities to ensure that results are implemented by airport industry practitioners.

ACRP RESEARCH REPORT 278

Project 01-46
ISSN 2572-3731 (Print)
ISSN 2572-374X (Online)
ISBN 978-0-309-73309-0
Library of Congress Control Number 2024952872
Digital Object Identifier: 10.17226/28857

© 2025 by the National Academy of Sciences. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine and the graphical logo are trademarks of the National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.

COPYRIGHT INFORMATION

Authors herein are responsible for the authenticity of their materials and for obtaining written permissions from publishers or persons who own the copyright to any previously published or copyrighted material used herein.

Cooperative Research Programs (CRP) grants permission to reproduce material in this publication for classroom and not-for-profit purposes. Permission is given with the understanding that none of the material will be used to imply TRB, AASHTO, APTA, FAA, FHWA, FTA, GHSA, or NHTSA endorsement of a particular product, method, or practice. It is expected that those reproducing the material in this document for educational and not-for-profit uses will give appropriate acknowledgment of the source of any reprinted or reproduced material. For other uses of the material, request permission from CRP.

NOTICE

The research report was reviewed by the technical panel and accepted for publication according to procedures established and overseen by the Transportation Research Board and approved by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.

The opinions and conclusions expressed or implied in this report are those of the researchers who performed the research and are not necessarily those of the Transportation Research Board; the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; or the program sponsors.

The Transportation Research Board does not develop, issue, or publish standards or specifications. The Transportation Research Board manages applied research projects which provide the scientific foundation that may be used by Transportation Research Board sponsors, industry associations, or other organizations as the basis for revised practices, procedures, or specifications.

The Transportation Research Board; the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; and the sponsors of the Airport Cooperative Research Program do not endorse products or manufacturers. Trade or manufacturers’ names or logos appear herein solely because they are considered essential to the object of the report.

Published research reports of the

AIRPORT COOPERATIVE RESEARCH PROGRAM

are available from

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500 Fifth Street, NW, Keck 360
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(800) 624-6242

and can be ordered through the Internet by going to

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Printed in the United States of America

The National Academy of Sciences was established in 1863 by an Act of Congress, signed by President Lincoln, as a private, nongovernmental institution to advise the nation on issues related to science and technology. Members are elected by their peers for outstanding contributions to research. Dr. Marcia McNutt is president.

The National Academy of Engineering was established in 1964 under the charter of the National Academy of Sciences to bring the practices of engineering to advising the nation. Members are elected by their peers for extraordinary contributions to engineering. Dr. John L. Anderson is president.

The National Academy of Medicine (formerly the Institute of Medicine) was established in 1970 under the charter of the National Academy of Sciences to advise the nation on medical and health issues. Members are elected by their peers for distinguished contributions to medicine and health. Dr. Victor J. Dzau is president.

The three Academies work together as the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to provide independent, objective analysis and advice to the nation and conduct other activities to solve complex problems and inform public policy decisions. The National Academies also encourage education and research, recognize outstanding contributions to knowledge, and increase public understanding in matters of science, engineering, and medicine.

Learn more about the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine at www.nationalacademies.org.

The Transportation Research Board is one of seven major program divisions of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. The mission of the Transportation Research Board is to mobilize expertise, experience, and knowledge to anticipate and solve complex transportation-related challenges. The Board’s varied activities annually engage about 8,500 engineers, scientists, and other transportation researchers and practitioners from the public and private sectors and academia, all of whom contribute their expertise in the public interest. The program is supported by state departments of transportation, federal agencies including the component administrations of the U.S. Department of Transportation, and other organizations and individuals interested in the development of transportation.

Learn more about the Transportation Research Board at www.TRB.org.

COOPERATIVE RESEARCH PROGRAMS

CRP STAFF FOR ACRP RESEARCH REPORT 278

Monique R. Evans, Director, Cooperative Research Programs

Waseem Dekelbab, Deputy Director, Cooperative Research Programs

Marci A. Greenberger, Manager, Airport Cooperative Research Program

Jordan Christensen, Senior Program Officer

Demisha Williams, Senior Program Assistant

Natalie Barnes, Director of Publications

Heather DiAngelis, Associate Director of Publications

ACRP PROJECT 01-46 PANEL
Field of Administration

Mark P. Ricketson, Massport, Boston, MA (Chair)

Jennifer Gora, RS&H, Inc., Atlanta, GA

Mark Hughes, AECOM, Littleton, CO

Majed A. Khater, McCarran International Airport, Las Vegas, NV

Thane M. Seeley, Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport Authority, Bentonville, AR

Charles G. Zuckerman, San Francisco, CA

Christopher Criswell, FAA Liaison

AUTHOR ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The research reported herein was performed under ACRP Project 01-46, “A Guide for Geospatial Data Governance Policies and Procedures,” by the Woolpert, Inc. team based in Dayton, Ohio; Arora; Faith Group; Stantec; and VDCO Tech. Woolpert, Inc. was the contractor and fiscal administrator for this study.

Eric Risner, National Aviation Services Practice Leader at Woolpert, was the Project Manager and Principal Investigator. The other authors of this report are Ryan E. Bowe, Phase Manager at Woolpert; Kevin Shirer, Enterprise GIS Practice Lead at Woolpert; Carol Zuber-Mallison, Visual GIS Communications Expert at Woolpert; Elliot Rosales, Technical Writer at Woolpert; Randy Murphy, Discipline Lead at Arora; Thomas Tiner, Practice Solutions Manager at Arora; Laith Alfaqih, Asset Management Lead at Stantec; Cindy Baldwin, President of VDCO Tech; and Rick Adams, Director of Technology at Faith Group. The work was done under the general supervision of Mr. Risner at Woolpert.

FOREWORD

By Jordan Christensen
Staff Officer
Transportation Research Board

ACRP Research Report 278: Geospatial Data Governance Policies and Procedures: A Guide provides guidance to airport operators on how to create a data governance strategy for airports and stakeholders, including roles and responsibilities, policies, data collection standards, procedures, data exchange, security, and maintenance. The training tools provided with this guide include a sample geospatial data governance policy, best practices, metadata to serve as a template for documentation, and executive-level presentation materials. Airport operators of all sizes will find this guide and associated toolkit useful because it outlines the steps to create a data governance strategy.

Most airports, whether they realize it or not, use geospatial data. Traditionally, spatial data has been documented on paper to identify airport assets; as technology has progressed, information on spatial data has become more accurate. Today, geospatial software systems, such as geographic information systems, computer-aided design, and building information modeling, make acquiring and maintaining geospatial data easier. However, if an airport does not have a data governance policy to support the processes for collecting, updating, and maintaining the data, it can become susceptible to ineffective data management, leading to data quality and reliability issues and ultimately lack of trust in the data.

The research, conducted by Woolpert, Inc., focused on providing guidance to airports on how to create geospatial data governance policies and procedures. It included a literature review and outreach to stakeholders in data governance across industries and focus groups, including airports, a state aviation department, and non-aviation organizations. The objective of this research was to further identify relevant regulations and policies, security concerns and countermeasures, and effective practices. The guide and its accompanying tools provide information on tactics and strategies to guide airports when developing their geospatial data strategy.

In addition to the guide, published as ACRP Research Report 278, the following deliverables are available on the National Academies Press website (nap.nationalacademies.org) by searching for ACRP Research Report 278: Geospatial Data Governance Policies and Procedures: A Guide:

1. An informational poster on geospatial data governance;
2. A toolkit, including three spreadsheets and metadata; and
3. A video presentation of this project.

CONTENTS

Summary

Chapter 1 Introduction

1.1 Important Concepts

1.2 Guide Structure

Chapter 2 Drivers for Data Governance

2.1 Drivers

2.2 Challenges to Data Governance

2.3 Return on Investment

Chapter 3 Organizational Alignment

3.1 Roles and Responsibilities

3.2 Summary

Chapter 4 Policies

4.1 Elements to Address Within Airport Policies

4.2 Suggested Language for Contracts and Agreements

4.3 Sample Policies

Chapter 5 Standards

5.1 Importance of Standards for Data Collection

5.2 Governing Bodies and Data Standards

Chapter 6 Procedures

6.1 Base Maps

6.2 Floor Plans

6.3 Interior Space

6.4 Utilities

6.5 Assets

6.6 Airspace

6.7 Summary

Chapter 7 Data Exchanges

7.1 Interoperability

7.2 Exchange of Data with Third Parties

Chapter 8 Data Security

Chapter 9 Roadmaps

9.1 Collaborator Engagement

9.2 Key Elements of the Roadmap

9.3 Publication and Dissemination

9.4 Change Control

9.5 Version Management

Chapter 10 Data Maintenance Plan

10.1 Data Life Cycle and Development

10.2 Data Management Plan Elements in Relation to Airports

10.3 Samples

References

Abbreviations, Acronyms, and Initialisms

Appendix A Case Studies

Appendix B Sample Geospatial Data Governance Policy

Appendix C Data Maintenance Procedures and Standards

Appendix D GIS Data Maintenance Needs Estimates

Appendix E Best Practices