The Environmental Cost of Expansion: Evaluating Fuel Consumption and Emissions Associated with Airport Capacity Growth
Presentation Type
Short presentation 10-15 minutes
In Person or Zoom Presentation
Virtual via Zoom
Campus
Worldwide
Status
Faculty
Faculty/Staff Department
Management
Presentation Description/Abstract
This research explores how changes in airfield configuration at O’Hare International Airport (ORD) in Chicago have affected taxi times and associated fuel consumption and emissions. ORD is one of the largest airports in the United States and serves as a hub for both American Airlines and United Airlines. Increased taxi times may contribute to greater fuel consumption, emissions, and operational costs, while also affecting surrounding communities through reduced air quality and potential public health impacts. An examination of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Aviation System Performance Metrics (ASPM) data suggests that taxi times have increased over time. Using annual taxi times, aircraft operations, and conservative fuel-consumption assumptions, this study estimates annual aircraft fuel consumption and associated carbon dioxide emissions. The findings highlight potential environmental tradeoffs associated with airport capacity expansion and their implications for sustainable airport planning and development.
Keywords
Airport Capacity Expansion, Aircraft Taxi Times, Fuel Consumption, Carbon Dioxide Emissions, Airport Sustainability, Airfield Configuration, Chicago O’Hare International Airport
The Environmental Cost of Expansion: Evaluating Fuel Consumption and Emissions Associated with Airport Capacity Growth
This research explores how changes in airfield configuration at O’Hare International Airport (ORD) in Chicago have affected taxi times and associated fuel consumption and emissions. ORD is one of the largest airports in the United States and serves as a hub for both American Airlines and United Airlines. Increased taxi times may contribute to greater fuel consumption, emissions, and operational costs, while also affecting surrounding communities through reduced air quality and potential public health impacts. An examination of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Aviation System Performance Metrics (ASPM) data suggests that taxi times have increased over time. Using annual taxi times, aircraft operations, and conservative fuel-consumption assumptions, this study estimates annual aircraft fuel consumption and associated carbon dioxide emissions. The findings highlight potential environmental tradeoffs associated with airport capacity expansion and their implications for sustainable airport planning and development.