ACRP OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE^*

CHAIR

Cathryn Stephens

Eugene Airport

VICE CHAIR

Chad Makovsky

City of Phoenix (Arizona)

MEMBERS

Clara Bennett

Boca Raton Airport Authority

Lee Brown

JetBlue

Melissa Cooper

Kansas City Aviation Department

Marianne Csaky

LanzaJet

Darryl Daniels

Jacobsen Daniels Associates

Kimberly A. Kenville

University of North Dakota

Lance Lyttle

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport

Ramon Ricondo

Ricondo and Associates, Inc.

Atif Saeed

Philadelphia International Airport

Jesus H. Saenz, Jr.

San Antonio Airport System

Jessica Sypniewski

Federal Aviation Administration

EX OFFICIO MEMBERS

Justin Barkowski

American Association of Airport Executives

[Vacant]

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

_________________________

^* Membership as of February 2026.

TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH BOARD 2026 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE^*

OFFICERS

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

Vice Chair:Randell Iwasaki,President and CEO, Iwasaki Consulting Services, Walnut Creek, CA

Executive Director:Victoria Sheehan,Transportation Research Board, Washington, DC

MEMBERS

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

Marsha Anderson Bomar,Strategic Transportation Advisor, GHD, Duluth, GA

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

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

Garrett Eucalitto,Commissioner, Connecticut Department of Transportation, Newington

Andrew Fremier,Executive Director, Metropolitan Transportation Commission, San Francisco, CA

Martha Grabowski,Professor Emerita, Information Systems, Le Moyne College, Madden College of Business and Economics, Cazenovia, NY

Edward Hassinger,Director, Missouri Department of Transportation, Jefferson City

Shante Hastings,Cabinet Secretary, Delaware Department of Transportation, Dover

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

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

Leslie S. Richards,Professor of Practice, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia

Tracy Larkin Thomason,Director, Nevada Department of Transportation, Carson City

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

EX OFFICIO MEMBERS

Derek Barrs,Administrator, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Washington, DC

Steven G. Bradbury,Deputy Secretary, U.S. Department of Transportation, Washington, DC

Stephen Carmel,Administrator, U.S. Maritime Administration, Washington, DC

Tara Cavalline,Professor, University of North Carolina, Charlotte, and Chair, TRB Technical Activities Council

David Fink,Administrator, Federal Railroad Administration, Washington, DC

Firas Ibrahim,Director, Office of Research, Development, and Technology, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology, Washington, DC

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

Sandra Knight,President, WaterWonks, LLC, Washington, DC, and Chair, TRB Marine Board

Sean McMaster,Administrator, Federal Highway Administration, Washington, DC

Marcus J. Molinaro,Administrator, Federal Transit Administration, Washington, DC

Jonathan Morrison,Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington, DC

Seval Oz,Senior Advisor, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology, Washington, DC

Niloo Parvinashtiani,Engineer, Mobility Consultant Solutions, Iteris Inc., Fairfax, VA, and Chair, TRB Young Participants Council

Paul Roberti,Administrator, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, Washington, DC

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

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

_________________________

^* Membership as of February 2026.

AIRPORT COOPERATIVE RESEARCH PROGRAM

ACRP RESEARCH REPORT 282

Exploring Cellular-Based Private Wireless Networks for the U.S. Aviation Industry

Barich, Inc.

Chandler, AZ

Subscriber Categories

Aviation • Data and Information Technology • Transportation, General

Research sponsored by the Federal Aviation Administration

2026

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 nationʼs 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 282

Project 07-21
ISSN 2572-3731 (Print)
ISSN 2572-374X (Online)
ISBN 978-0-309-60604-2
Library of Congress Control Number 2026940450

© 2026 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 originality and accuracy 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.

The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) grants permission to reproduce written material in this publication for classroom and non-commercial purposes subject to the rights of any third parties and appropriate attribution. Permission is given with the understanding that none of the material will be used to imply NAS, TRB, AASHTO, APTA, FAA, FHWA, FTA, GHSA, or NHTSA endorsement of a particular product, method, or practice. For other uses of the written material, users must request permission from the National Academies Press.

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.

Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed or implied in this document 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 manufacturersʼ 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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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. Tsu-Jae Liu is president.

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

The Transportation Research Board is one of four centers 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 Boardʼs varied activities annually engage more than 5,500 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 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 282

Monique R. Evans,Director, Cooperative Research Programs

Waseem Dekelbab,Deputy Director, Cooperative Research Programs

Marci A. Greenberger,Manager, Airport Cooperative Research Program

Matthew J. Griffin,Senior Program Officer

Brittany Summerlin-Azeez,Program Coordinator

Natalie Barnes,Director of Publications

Brian Haefs,Associate Director of Publications

Jeff Strong,Senior Editor

ACRP PROJECT 07-21 PANEL
Field of Design

Timothy Mitchell,Collinear Group, Seattle, WA (Chair)

Rahul Bangera,Communication Technology Services LLC, Ellicott City, MD

Vanessa Chin,King County International Airport, Seattle, WA

Kyle Andrew Mobley,Port of Oakland, Oakland, CA

Eduardo Valencia,Metropolitan Airports Commission—MSP, Minneapolis, MN

Amiy Varma,AAAJ LLC, Fargo, ND

Bahram Soroosh,FAA Liaison

Aneil Patel,Airports Council International–North America Liaison

Marty Reynolds,Airlines for America Liaison

AUTHOR ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This reference guide was produced under ACRP Project 07-21, “Exploring Cellular-Based Private Wireless Networks for the U.S. Aviation Industry” by the Barich, Inc., team:

• Barich, Inc.—Samuel Ingalls (Principal Investigator, Henderson, NV), Peter Longoria (Lead Researcher, Richmond, TX), Tyler Wilson (Research Analyst), Rob Linstrum (Research and Deliverables Producer, Chandler, AZ), Binh Tran (Administrative Officer, Cypress, TX)
• Imagine Wireless—Norman Fekrat (SME Researcher, Washington, DC), David Dombrowski (SME Researcher, Chicago, IL)
• Christina Coverdell—Technical Writer, St. Louis, MO

FOREWORD

By Matthew J. Griffin
Staff Officer
Transportation Research Board

ACRP Research Report 282: Exploring Cellular-Based Private Wireless Networks for the U.S. Aviation Industry provides airports with a guide for understanding and implementing a cellular-based private wireless network (PWN), via the Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS). CBRS is a tool that can help airports unlock the potential of a PWN, leading to more reliable wireless connectivity. A detailed literature review was conducted, and an interview plan was prepared and executed. The guide is a resource to U.S. airport information technology executives and staff.

Airports typically have a large campus and a complex set of connectivity requirements serving operational and customer service needs. These complex systems, across thousands of acres and millions of square feet of interior and exterior space, must communicate in a robust, high-bandwidth, low-latency, secure fashion. PWNs have the potential to improve and expand connectivity across complex systems and large areas. The FCC has allocated the CBRS, which is the 3.55–3.7 GHz band, for these types of complex environments. The OnGo Alliance, a coalition of companies, has been addressing certification standards and encouraging the adoption of technology that would provide connectivity in this spectrum band, especially as the industry advances into newer standards of wireless access technology.

Under ACRP Project 07-21, “Exploring Cellular-Based Private Wireless Networks for the U.S. Aviation Industry,” Barich, Inc., was asked to develop a guide and explainer video that identifies and discusses opportunities and challenges for deploying cellular-based PWNs at U.S. airports over the CBRS spectrum.

In addition to the research report, the following materials can be found at nationalacademies.org/publications by searching for ACRP Research Report 282: Exploring Cellular-Based Private Wireless Networks for the U.S. Aviation Industry:

• An overview of the technology and possible use cases, published as ACRP Research Results Digest 29: Exploring Cellular-Based Private Wireless Networks: Summary
• Explainer video, titled Understanding Cellular-Based Private Wireless Networks: An Overview of ACRP Research Report 282
• PWN use case spreadsheet

CONTENTS

Chapter 1 Introduction and State of the Industry

The Need for Better Connectivity—Today and Tomorrow

Practical Explanation of PWNs

State of the Industry

Purpose and Overview of the Guide

Chapter 2 Conceptual Considerations—An Executive Overview

How CBRS Can Benefit Airport Operators—A Vision of Possibilities

Technical Explanation of PWNs—A High-Level Understanding

Frequently Asked Questions About PWNs

Chapter 3 Planning Considerations

Network Vision and Scale

Mobile Technology

Spectrum

Use Cases

Private Use or Ownership

Stakeholders and Partnerships

Cost/Financials

Risks

Adoption and Implementation Barriers

Chapter 4 Design Considerations

Transitioning from Planning to Design

PWN Design and Integrations

Chapter 5 Deployment and Management Considerations

Deployment/Installation Operating Models

SLA Parameters

Project Plan Development

Equipment Installation

Network Configuration

Testing and Validation

Management

Wrap-Up

Bibliography

Abbreviations and Acronyms

Glossary

Appendix A Summaries of Key Interviews and Site Visits

Appendix B Checklists