LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA
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LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA
Project Formulation/Definition—
Why, When, and How?
John van Woensel
Director of Airport Planning
CH2M HILL
john.vanwoensel@ch2m.com
Mark R. Clark
Sr. Aviation Planner
Buffalo Niagara International Airport
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EXTRA –EXTRA
read all about it
“Airport tries twice to build Air Cargo
Hanger, both murdered by poor
project formulation”
Air Cargo Development
Murder Scene #1
Air Cargo Development
Murder Scene #2
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Option 1
Option 2
Tax. “C” OFA
68’ from edge
Tower line of site
Tax. “C” RSA
34’ from edge
Option 1 issues
- Creek relocation - Impossible
- Creek bridging – too expensive
- Major Army Corps. permit issues
Option 2 issues
- Line of Site
- Obstructs GA aircraft movement
- Require closure of 10R/28L
- Land-locks Army hanger
- Truck access/egress roadway
- Expansion could require GA relocation
- Relocation of Taxiway C necessary for access to 6/24
- North/South Taxiway C requires 75’ width to use
- Group V aircraft needs 160’ of separation to Taxiway C centerline
- Group VI aircraft needs 193’ of separation to Taxiway C centerline
- OFA and RSA encroachment to (N/S)Taxiway C
Air Traffic
Control Tower
Agenda
In this session, we will:
• Define project formulation/definition
• Explain why it is a needed step in the project implementation
process
• Assess when it should occur and how it can be packaged
• Discuss what is typically contained in a project formulation
• Recognize the challenges to overcome
• Summarize key message
Project formulation is called out as a separate step
in ACC/FAA Best Practices, 2008
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Project Formulation in the
Project Implementation
Lifecycle
Ready..
Set…
Go!
NEPA
Airport
Master
Plan
Project Engineering
FormulationDesign
Financial
Justification
Construction
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What is Project Formulation,
a Basic Definition
Defining Project formulation:
• An early project implementation phase that describes specific
projects to be implemented in sufficient detail for subsequent
implementation phases
• Takes place before engineering design and NEPA, but can be
packaged different ways
• Must include explanation of why the project is needed and why it
was selected over other options
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Why is Project Formulation
Needed?
Reasons Project Formulation is needed:
• Needed to avoid surprises or delays due to dated project drivers,
insufficient detail, or incomplete information for the next step in the
implementation process
• MPU serves to reserve space/airspace by making decisions about
what may be needed, where and when, and what should move
forward in the near term; typical MPU is not part of project
implementation
• MPU plans many projects that might be needed over a 20-year
horizon, typical MPU does not look at every project in detail
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Why is Project Formulation
Needed?-cntd
More reasons:
• The MPU preserves flexibility by assuming projects will undergo
change prior to implementation, considers general cost for
comparison purposes; typical MPU does not include preliminary
engineering detail or detailed cost estimates (AACE Class 3)
• The MPU does identify known environmental resources; typical
MPU does not consider all resource categories
Common misconception: having a recent MPU or
ALP means the that airport is ready to start NEPA or
Design
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What is Project Formulation,
an Expanded Definition
Typical contents of project formulation effort:
• Most important: describe the justification of the project (include what
happens if the project does not happen)
– Example: taxiway exit location ( engineers: “Let’s move it 200
feet to avoid the underground utilities”)
• Describe Project in Sufficient Detail for subsequent phase-- exhibits,
preliminary engineering-level of detail, including cost estimate
• List dependencies: enabling or subsequent projects
• Update dated information, such as the forecast, or tenant needs
• For NEPA: include disturbed area, major drainage changes,
required actions by others
• For engineering design: include site context (operational, security,
environmental restrictions), what can and cannot change, applicable
regulations and codes
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Project Formulation
Challenges
The need for this session-- Project Formulation:
•
•
•
•
Is the industry’s best kept secret
Falls between several disciplines (silos)
Planners assume it will occur later
Environmental planners and Engineers assume it exists and will be
provided to them
• Sponsors do not generally see it as a separate step, assume it will
be included in planning, environmental planning or engineering
• Sponsors may suffer from “planning fatigue” causing focus shift to
implementation/action rather than “MORE planning?@#!!”
Skipping Project Formulation as a sponsor-controlled
deliberate step, is a common reason for delays in
NEPA
Next To Last Slide
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Take away from today’s
Discussion
Key points:
• Recognize formulation as a needed step SOMEWHERE in the
implementation process
• Include formulation step in CIP, schedule, scope, next steps
• Consider bolstering MPU scope to minimize need for formulation
– Environmental inventory
– Requirements/capacity analysis that supports P&N
– Alternatives analysis that can withstand scrutiny
– ALP chapter that describes individual projects
Consultants: can it be added to your MPU scope?
FAA/Sponsor: is a formulation step included
SOMEWHERE in the overall implementation strategy?
Last Slide 12
CASE SOLVED !!!
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