Technical Support and Research

Discover how TTI researchers provide technical support and conduct research to advance Texas aviation.

Airport 101 Guides for
Sponsors and Management

TTI and the Texas Department of Transportation’s Aviation Division are developing an Airport 101 Guide that addresses common topics and guidance for airport sponsors and managers. The Airport 101 Guide covers planning, available funding, the grant and contract process, as well as construction administration and closeout. It also addresses compliance topics, such as grant assurances and lease agreements. This guide is intended to provide new airport managers with a reference as they learn the ins and outs of their new role.

A small red and white aircraft is taxiing on a runway at an airport. In the background, another small plane is landing. Three airport towers are visible against a clear blue sky.

Airport Pavement Inspection and Analysis Program

Every three years, researchers inspect pavement conditions at over 260 public airports in Texas, including runways, taxiways and aprons. These inspections assess surface distress, roughness and structural deflection using advanced tools and 360° imagery. The resulting Pavement Condition Index (PCI) scores are uploaded to an interactive GIS platform, giving decision-makers real-time insight into airfield infrastructure health.

Previous research has developed a decision-making tool to support general aviation airports in selecting the appropriate pavement preservation treatment for their airport.

Airport Cooperative Research Program Projects

TTI Researchers are actively involved in the Transportation Research Board’s Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP) through serving as subject matter experts on project panels to conducting ACRP synthesis and research projects. Recent ACRP projects include:

(No. ACRP Project 11-03, Topic S02-23)

Electric Vehicle Charging Stations at Airport Passenger Parking Facilities

(No. Project 11-03, Topic S01-17)

Attracting Investment at General Aviation Airports Through Public–Private Partnerships

(ACRP Research Report 191)

A Primer to Prepare for the Connected Airport and the Internet of Things

(ACRP Report 159)

Pavement Maintenance Guidelines for General Aviation Airport Management

Airport System Planning

The cornerstone of TTI’s statewide airport activities is participation in TxDOT’s Regional Planning Meeting Program to develop and continuously improve the Texas Airport System Plan. TTI helps conduct public regional airport planning meetings across the state with elected and appointed city and county officials, airport businesses, tenants, users and other interested parties. This continuous airport planning process helps ensure that airports are meeting the needs of the communities they serve, and that the communities are utilizing their airport as an economic generator. Participation in this program has provided TTI researchers with a keen understanding of and familiarity with the operations and challenges associated with the state’s 292 airports.

An airplane is taking off from a runway, surrounded by green fields and trees. The view is aerial, showing the airport layout and surrounding landscape.

Airport System Research and Technical Analysis

TTI’s familiarity with the structure and function of the Texas Airport System and the issues it faces makes the Institute a clear choice in conducting research and technical analysis required to support aviation leadership and staff in planning and programming functions. Recent research and analysis projects undertaken by TTI staff include:

Development of an economic impact estimator tool that allows airports across the state to understand the potential benefits associated with new tenants or construction.
An airport rates and charges web-based portal that provides airport sponsors with tools to establish rates that match local conditions and fair market pricing.
Assessing the impact and potential collaboration opportunities between the commercial space industry and the Texas aviation system.
Evaluating the risk perceptions of the agricultural aircraft operations workforce.

Air Cargo

TTI research on air cargo activities dates back to the 1970s, but more recently has focused on the level and types of air cargo activities found at airports in Texas. Researchers have focused attention on the landside access issues related to moving freight to and from airports throughout the state. For example, researchers supported a 2012 project that examined air cargo activity in the 10-state Mississippi Valley Freight Coalition Region in a joint project with researchers at the University of Wisconsin, Madison.