The mission of the aviation sustainability subcommittee is to further understanding and research into ways to advance the sustainability of the aviation industry.
The aviation sustainability subcommittee work program seeks to (1) learn about the current state of the art and practice of sustainability as applied to aviation, (2) educate its members and TRB as a whole about opportunities and challenges of aviation sustainability, and (3) to identify gaps in knowledge and research needed to effectively advance aviation sustainability.
TRB subcommittees do not have a formal membership roster, but are intended to attract participation from individuals who will form the membership group in the event that sufficient interest is generated in the topic that the subcommittee is elevated in the future to a task force or a full committee. We encourage participation in the subcommittee from all segments of the aviation industry including educators, researchers, regulators and NGO’s with associated interests.
The following are some initial ideas for evaluating and prioritizing aviation sustainability research needs:
Subject area
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In common use
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Under development
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Monitoring
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Energy conservation
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“Fuel-saver” ATC procedures, building management systems
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Tenant incentive programs
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Advanced electrical metering systems
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Renewable energy supplies
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Passive and active solar architecture
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“Green” energy purchases, on-site renewable energy generation
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Alternative fuels
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Ground service equipment vehicles
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Synthetic kerosene, bio-jet fuels
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Greenhouse gas reduction programs
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Voluntary offset websites & Chicago Climate Exchange
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“Kyoto”-like programs in US cities
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European regulatory schemes
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Efficient use of built assets
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Master plans
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Capital asset management
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GIS-Based EMS and operations research
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Distributive economic impacts of aviation
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Innovative modeling and analysis methods
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Strategic planning
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Cross-functional teams
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Metrics and graphics
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Automated collaboration tools
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Benchmarking
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ACI/ACRP tools
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“Lean” and green manufacturing
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LEAN manufacturing
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“Green” airplane programs
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Stakeholder transparency
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Corporate CSR reporting
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Interactive websites
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Social equity
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M/W/S business initiatives
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Environmental justice studies
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Solid waste reduction and recycling
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Recycling receptacles
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Paperless functions, food waste composting
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Cross-industry horizontal materials integration
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Water discharges
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NPDES process
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Air emissions
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emission metrics added to capital program spreadsheets
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Hazardous Air Pollutants research
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Regional approaches to modeling and regulation
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Innovative financing
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“Intergenerational” renewable energy bonds
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Regulatory streamlining
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NEPA/Master Plan integration
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Environmental Management Systems
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ISO 14000
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Annual environmental reporting
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Web-based GIS tools
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“Green” buildings
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USGBC “LEED” process
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“LEED” v2, ACI sustainability work group
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“Green” fleet management
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“Flex-car” programs, bio-diesel retrofits
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“Green” purchasing
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Life Cycle Analysis “upstream impact” calculators
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“green” purchasing card programs
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Collaborative research
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ACRP, FAA R&D
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Centers of Excellence
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