– VISION2040 –
PLANNING RDU'S FUTURE
Called Vision2040, the study is being led by Ricondo & Associates, a consultant specializing in master plan development. The Federal Aviation Administration requires airports to develop a master plan to qualify for federal funding.
The Vision2040 goals are:
- Encompass improvements that will ensure the airport’s safety, efficiency and capability to serve the community’s aviation needs
- Optimize infrastructure and resources in an operationally, financially and environmentally sustainable manner
- Enhance the passenger and customer experience through long range development actions
- Define development plans that are scalable to respond to variations in demand over the planning horizon
- Preserve flexibility to adapt to emerging and future technologies
- Accommodate connectivity to various modes of transportation as a components of airport development plans
In 2015, the plan focused on the first two phases of the study. Those included a detailed assessment of airport facilities and infrastructure and detailed passenger, economic and cargo forecasts.
The 2016 public workshops center on forecasts and airport capacity, development alternatives and public review of the preferred alternative.
A key component of Vision2040 is the establishment of two advisory committees comprised of community and business leaders.
The Policy Advisory Committee provides input on the Master Plan from the community’s point of view and provides guidance on how the community may react to or be impacted by various Vision2040 recommendations.
The Technical Advisory Committee provides input and insight into technical aspects of the Vision2040 plan. Each of its members has a strong background in some aspect of aviation or airport operations or planning is comprised of representatives from the Airport Authority, FAA, tenants and community planners and brings experience airport operating experience into the planning process.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
A critical part of the Vision2040 Master Plan Study is community engagement. The Airport Authority is committed to providing information to the public in a timely manner and receiving feedback throughout the community, as well as from on-site tenants, business partners and employees.
In June, the Airport Authority held the first two of eight planned public workshops. Sessions were held at locations in Durham and Raleigh on consecutive nights. The purpose was two-fold: provide an overview of the study to the public and receive comments and suggestions from the public before the study began in earnest.
Website
In May 2015, the Airport Authority launched a dedicated master planning website, vision2040.rdu.com, which features an overview of the study, as well as documents and resources that will be updated throughout the study process. The site also contains a way for the public to provide feedback on the study with the Airport Authority.
Social Media
As part of its commitment to community engagement, the Airport Authority was active via its social media channels as an additional way to share about the study with the public. Hundreds of posts were shared with the community regarding Vision2040.