In the Spotlight

Dr. David R. Brill of the Airport Technology Research & Development Branch was awarded Government Engineer of the Year by the New Jersey Section, American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). 

The Government Engineer of the Year Award is presented to an outstanding civil engineer in government service who has made substantial contributions to the profession.  The award was presented to Dr. Brill at the 46^th Annual ASCE New Jersey Section Awards Dinner on May 26, 2022.

On May 14, a team from the FAA’s Airport Technology Research and Development Branch (ATR) worked with Atlantic City International Airport to integrate small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) into the airport’s triennial full-scale emergency response exercise. This exercise provided an opportunity to demonstrate the capability of sUAS to provide an “eye in the sky” view to enhance overall situational awareness for the incident commander and other aircraft rescue firefighting (ARFF) personnel during an incident. The exercise included a simulated accident involving a Boeing 757 aircraft, with dozens of local volunteers playing the role of injured passengers. Several local fire and emergency medical services departments also took part in the exercise.

Leading up to the event, the ATR team coordinated extensively with local stakeholders, including the South Jersey Transportation Authority (SJTA), the local air traffic control facility, and the 177th Fighter Wing of the New Jersey Air National Guard. Although inclement weather prevented sUAS from being flown during the exercise, the ATR team successfully demonstrated the ability to stream live video from multiple sUAS platforms on the ground to the incident commander and the airport’s emergency operations center. These platforms were situated on the roof of ACY’s ARFF facility and the FAA’s sprinter van, both of which were adjacent to the simulated accident scene.

Dr. David R. Brill of the Airport Technology R&D Branch, Airport Pavements Section, ANG-E262, along with Jeff Crislip and Harold Honey of the Airport Engineering Division, AAS-110, attended the 6^th meeting of the ICAO Aerodrome Design and Operations Panel (ADOP) Airport Pavement Expert Group (APEG-6) in Washington, DC, May 2-5. The group – comprised of international aviation agencies and industry partners – was tasked with updating the airport pavement guidance in ICAO Aerodrome Design Manual (ADM) Part 3 and developing the new Aircraft Classification Rating-Pavement Classification Rating (ACR-PCR) standard.

The implementation of the new ACR-PCR standard worldwide was a key topic at the meeting. ANG-E262 and AAS-110 contributed directly to the effort by developing the ACR computational library accepted by ICAO. Other meeting topics included: development of common training materials for ACR-PCR in conjunction with Airports Council International (ACI); final editing and release of the ICAO ADM Part 3; and development of State practices for PCR reporting consistent with the guidance in ADM Part 3.

An article, “FAA Tests Solar-Power Airfield Lighting at Smaller Airport,” was recently published by FAA. This article takes a look at ATR research on how solar-powered lighting and signs along runways and taxiways could improve airfield visibility at night and during bad weather at smaller and general aviation airports. Read more about the benefits of solar lighting at airports here.

Dr. Navneet Garg of the Airport Technology Research & Development Branch was selected as Fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). 

Selection as an ASCE Fellow is a recognition of achievements, accomplishments, scholarship, and responsibility for engineering work of significant importance. Fellows comprise less than 3 percent of ASCE’s professional membership, requiring nomination and a rigorous review process.

ASCE Fellows have developed innovative solutions that positively impact lives around the world. Their contributions exemplify a dedication to advancing civil engineering and serving the public.