This project involved the resurfacing of Airport Rd. pavements, installation of bike lanes and pedestrian sidewalk improvement, undergrounding of utilities to enhance reliability, installation of native landscaping, and the beautification of tenant entrances. Also included in this project were various drainage and storm-water system upgrades to enhance reliability in heavy rain events. Funding for this project was provided by FDOT grants at an 80% level with BRAA providing the remaining 20%.

The Boca Raton Airport Authority (BRAA) completed a SMS GAP Analysis in 2017. Based on the results of the analysis, the BRAA implemented aspects of Safety Policy, Safety Risk Management, Safety Assurance, and Safety Promotion. The SMS implementation project provides the appropriate programs, reports, policies, and software to implement the recommendations of the GAP analysis.

The project is AIP eligible since it meets the following objectives: safety and airport planning. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued Advisory Circular (AC) 150/5200-37, Introduction to Safety Management Systems (SMS) for Airport Operators, and a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on Safety Management Systems for Certificated Airports. The NPRM proposes that every certificated airport would be required to establish an SMS for its entire airfield environment (including movement and non-movement areas). As written, the NPRM would bring U.S. airports into compliance with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standard requiring SMSs for airport operators.

This project serves as a follow-up phase to an initial Geographic Information System (GIS) projects aimed to assist in the collection and maintenance of airport and aeronautical data for BCT. These initial phases of this multi-year project would consist in the collection of data and installation of required hardware and software. Once the datasets are added, the Airport Layout Plan (ALP) and other CAD drawings for utilities and floor plans would be converted into a GIS format and added to the geodatabase. As changes are made to these of documents, they will be updated in the geodatabase, allowing the map application to always maintain the most up-to-date airport information. The implementation of GIS serves not only as a centralized location for updated spatial information about the Airport and surrounding properties, but also as a means of conducting workflow processes such as tracking maintenance repairs and building reports.

The implementation of a GIS system allows the Airport to disseminate maps to other local government agencies and the system would serve as a standardized database for updated spatial information about the airport and surrounding properties. The system allows the Authority to easily visualize the characteristics of airport facilities and features, helps find historic and current lease information, research as-built drawings, and coordinate airport changes in a timely manner.

The project entailed a continuation of the Airport Authority’s ongoing security enhancements for the Boca Raton Airport. These security enhancements began with Phase 1, undertaken in 2007, which involved upgrades to the existing security cameras and supporting infrastructure, including the primary monitoring room systems, as well as the conversion of two perimeter gates to controlled access gates. In 2009 and 2010, Phase 2 was implemented which includes the installation of two new access control gates – one along the south side of the Airport, and the other along the northeast perimeter. Support infrastructure and fiber optic cabling is also provided. Phase 3 upgrades to the previously installed systems needed due to old and antiquated technology are being implemented in FY2015. Phase 4 involves the addition or conversion of up to 14 cameras and the installation of new mounting systems, fiber optic cabling, and supporting infrastructure, hardware, and other appurtenances needed to have these systems operational and integrated with the airport’s current security systems. Phase 4 also included the design and construction of new or upgraded cameras (up to 16) and the installation of new mounting systems, fiber optic cabling, and supporting infrastructure, hardware, and other appurtenances needed to have these systems operational and integrated with the airport’s current security systems. This project  also included upgrades to the perimeter fencing, including sub-surface wildlife fencing as needed based upon a comprehensive fence inspection, to be conducted during the programming phase of this project.

The additional security cameras have improved surveillance and security monitoring along the perimeter of the Airport and provide unobstructed monitoring of each of the access gates located throughout this perimeter. Restricting access to the AOA and preserving security at the Airport is one of the Authority’s primary priorities. This Security Enhancements program helps fulfill this key priority, which is also a key FAA and AIP objective.

This project maintained compliance with current FAA regulations required that no direct access from a parking apron to the runway be available. Two taxiways that directly align with an apron exit was relocated with this project. Additionally, two other taxiways were widened to bring them within compliance of the latest taxiway design group standards. Phase I, which included the widening of TWY P4 and relocation of TWY B, and Phase II, which included the relocation of TWY C and widening of TWY F, has been completed. Funding for this project was provided by FAA grants at an 100% level.

This project included replacement and expansion of some of the existing storm drains and drainage infrastructure to allow water to flow unrestricted and improve flow during storm events. The project also included extending the existing culvert that runs south of the Runway 5 approach end by approximately 80 feet. This project included drainage systems and related work to construct the culverts. By extending the culvert the Airport benefited by easing maintenance needs and removing a potential wildlife hazard source off property. Funding for this project was provided by the FDOT at 80% and BRAA funding 20%.

This project involved widening Taxiways P10, P9, C and P5 between Taxiway P and the ramps to meet the required FAA Taxiway Edge Safety Margins in Advisory Circular 150/5300-13A for the largest aircraft currently using the Boca Raton Airport. By enlarging the paved areas, aircraft entering and exiting the apron areas have a larger margin of safety during times of heavy traffic. This project also entailed the replacement of existing PAPI (Precision Approach Path Indicator) lights with LED equipment. The new lights are more efficient in both electricity use and maintenance requirements. Funding for this project was provided by the FDOT at 80% and BRAA funding 20%.

The Boca Raton Airport Authority maintains a pavement management program in accordance with FAA regulations.  The purpose of the program is to maximize the useful life of airfield pavements through periodic inspections and maintenance activities thus saving money on costly full depth replacement of the runways and taxiways.

One such maintenance activity is applying a pavement rejuvenator.  The rejuvenator is an asphalt coating similar to driveway sealant that helps maintain the integrity and friction properties of the surface of airfield pavements.  A rejuvenator is typically applied five to ten years after new pavement installation.  The airport milled and resurfaced Runway 5/23 in 2009.

Rubber removal and new pavement markings will also be completed as part of the project.

The runway rejuvenation project will begin in October 2018 and last for 45 days.  During that time the Airport will be closed nightly from 9p.m. to 7a.m.

In order to maintain a safe operating environment for Airport users and aircraft operators, the Airport has received an FDOT grant to evaluate pavement conditions on the Airport’s apron and landside pavements. The project will include a comprehensive visual inspection of the Airport pavements and an estimated Pavement Condition Index (PCI) range will be determined for purposes of prioritizing and programming future capital investments in pavement rehabilitation.

At the Airport, we take great considerations to minimize our impact on nearby wildlife. Funded by an FAA grant, we conducted a Wildlife Hazard Assessment that will help us understand the nature of wildlife in the vicinity of the Airport, while enhancing safety for Airport users.

The study includes:

• An analysis of the airport’s wildlife strike history
• Identification of the wildlife species observed and their numbers, locations, local movements, and daily and seasonal occurrences
• Identification and location of features on and near the airport that attract wildlife
• A description of wildlife hazards to aircraft operations

The Wildlife Hazard Management Plan will identify any specific actions the Airport may take to mitigate the risk of wildlife strikes on or near the Airport.

At the Boca Raton Airport, the safety of our users and neighbors is of the utmost importance. By constructing an Engineered Materials Arresting System (EMAS) at both ends of the runway, we are able to greatly improve the effectiveness of our runway safety areas (RSA).

If an aircraft undershoots or overruns the runway, it will roll onto the EMAS arrestor bed, which utilizes lightweight, crushable cellular cement to decelerate its speed to a safe stop.

While the FAA’s new standard RSA is 1,000 feet at each end of the runway, property constraints such as Spanish River Blvd and the Utility Services Complex make this length of an overrun unfeasible at the Boca Raton Airport.

In accordance with FAA guidelines, the Airport completed an Operational Needs Assessment and Runway Safety Area (RSA) study in 2012. Due to the property constraints, it was determined that the installation of EMAS is the only practicable alternative to enhancing the RSAs at the Airport.