Ground access to domestic airports : the creation of a federal program to streamline enhancement and modernization projects

Abstract

With few exceptions, airport ground access tends to be an issue that is overlooked by airlines, airport operators, and metropolitan planning organizations. Given the current structure of federal aviation and surface transportation funding, little incentive is provided for these organizations to develop a comprehensive intermodal outlook towards airport access projects. Given the concurrent reauthorization during the next legislative session of several major pieces of authorizing legislation involving domestic transportation projects, including TEA-21 (surface transportation) and AIR-21 (aviation and airports), it would be the ideal time to implement a program for airport ground access projects that bridges these areas. Under such an intermodal system, a solitary federal office, such as the Office of Intermodalism, would become both a central repository for technical guidance, as well as a central source of regulation and interpretation of federal law. In addition, a mixture of local and federal funds should be used to encourage cooperation between the various entities involved with a ground access project, such as the airport owner/operator, regional transit operator, metropolitan planning organization, and the state highway authority. The proposed authorizing legislation would allow an airport operator to levy a Passenger Facility Charge (PFC) beyond current regulatory limits, subject to the approval of the Office of Intermodalism. Further, new categorized surface transportation funds would be authorized, which could be used by the Office of Intermodalism as a match to PFC funding. The remaining funding would be provided by local sources.