The Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP) is an industry-driven, applied research program that develops practical solutions to problems faced by airport operators. Funding more than 20 projects a year, ACRP focuses on issues that other Federal research programs do not address. So far, ACRP has produced more than 400 practical resources and tools for airport practitioners and makes them available for free.

ACRP is managed by the Transportation Research Board (TRB) of the National Academies and sponsored by the FAA.

On this page …

• ACRP Webinars
• Recently Released Publications
• Does the FAA Use ACRP Publications and Tools?
• Notice About Links on This Page

ACRP Webinars

ACRP regularly hosts free webinars for airport practitioners that present the results of ACRP projects. Moderated by industry experts, ACRP’s webinars are organized by theme and cover a wide range of topics of value to the industry. Many webinars offer continuing education or certification maintenance credits. Advanced registration is required.

• Upcoming ACRP Webinars
• Archived ACRP Webinars

Recently Released Publications

• ACRP 2020 Annual Report of Progress

  Published: January 8, 2021 12:59 PM

  ACRP’s 2020 Annual Report of Progress describes the TRB Airport Cooperative Research Program’s activities and accomplishments and how they encourage collaboration to address emerging challenges and foster professional networking across miles and generations. By presenting program metrics and practitioner feedback, the report describes ACRP’s highlights and accomplishments.
  
  Since its establishment in 2005, the Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP) has helped foster and sustain these benefits by conducting applied research to help the airport industry address day-to-day challenges. In 2020, ACRP continued conducting high-quality, industry-driven research, disseminating the research to airport practitioners and other stakeholders, and engaging industry members in new and meaningful ways.

• Introduction to Blockchain and Airport Operations in a COVID-19 Environment

  Published: December 18, 2020 12:58 PM

  In the airport industry, potential applications for blockchain include security and identification, flight data management, safety and maintenance, baggage and cargo tracking, regulatory compliance, and more. Promising blockchain applications specific to COVID-19 include passenger health verification and contact tracing, facilitating a contactless passenger experience, and tracking the movement of healthcare supplies and pharmaceuticals (including vaccines) from origin to final destination. …

• Compilation of DOT and FAA Airport Legal Determinations and Opinion Letters as of December 31, 2018

  Published: December 14, 2020 12:03 PM

  U.S. airports that receive assistance from the federal government are required to comply with a number of obligations imposed by federal law. …

View all ACRP Publications

Does the FAA Use ACRP Publications and Tools?

The FAA does not just fund ACRP projects, we also use the results! ACRP findings have helped shape successful initiatives, such our Engineered Material Arresting System (EMAS) program, and recent guidance, including AC 150/5360-12F, Airport Signing and Graphics, which incorporates the recommendations and guidelines from ACRP Report 52, Wayfinding and Signing Guidelines for Airport Terminals and Landside. Many other FAA ACs and Orders cite ACRP reports as useful references, and on many of our web pages, you will find links to related ACRP materials.