HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 08122003 - C.17 TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Contra
FROM: MAUR.ICE M. SHIU, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR Costa
DATE: AUGUST 12,2003 ,Rr�I County
41
SUBJECT: APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Public Warks Director, or designee, to execute a
Memorandum of Agreement with the Federal Aviation Administration to install and conduct a
test using the Ground Marker Systems at Buchanan Field Airport.
SPECIFIC REQUEST(S)OR RECOMMENDATION(S)&BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
L Recommended Action:
APPROVE the installation of approximately six (6) Ground Marker Systems, by the Federal Aviation
Administration(FAA),and AUTHORIZE the Public Works Director or his designee to sign a Memorandum
of Agreement (MOA) with the FAA to conduct a temporary test, using a Ground Marker System, at
Buchanan Field Airport. Pacheco area(District IV).
Continued on Attachment: X SIGNATURE:f'f
'11-
RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTl;i
""APPROVE OTHER
SIC.NATURE S .,,.r, '
ACTION OF B ON AUG. 12, 2003 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED xx OTHER
i
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action
xx UNANIMOUS{ABSENT NONE ) taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on
AYES: NOES: the date shown.
ABSENTS ABSTAIN:
KF:df
C:\Word Files\BO\2003\bo8-12 FAA Ground Marker 2003.doc ATTESTED: AUGUST 12,,-20,03
Brig.Div- Public Works(Airport)
JOHN SWEE'T'EN,Clerk of the Board of Supervisors and County Contact. (Keith Freitas 546-5722) Administrator
W. County Administrator
M.Shiu,Public Works Director
J.Bueren,Deputy Public Works Director B
FAA - — --- r Deputy
SUBJECT: APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Public Works Director, or designee, to execute a
Memorandum of Agreement with the Federal Aviation Administration to install and conduct a
test using the Ground Marker Systems at Buchanan Field Airport.
DATE: AUGUST 12, 2003
PAGE: 2
II. Financiallmnact:
There will be no direct costs to the County's General Fund nor the Airport Enterprise Fund. The installation
and test of the Ground Marker System will be funded fully by the FAA. The only indirect costs will be in
relation to the amount of time,which expected to be minor,that Airport staff spends to monitor and evaluate
the Ground Marker System. All associated staff costs will be bore entirely by the Airport Enterprise Fund.
III. Reasons For Recommendation/Backtiround:
The FAA has been working to reduce the number of runway incursions for the past several years. A runway
incursion is defined as an Operational Error, Pilot Deviation or Vehicle/Pedestrian Deviation. An
Operational Error is an action of an air traffic controller that results in: Less than required minimum
separation between two or more aircraft, between an aircraft and obstacles (obstacles include vehicles,
equipment,personnel on runway)or an aircraft landing or departing on a runway closed to aircraft. A Pilot
Deviation is an action of a pilot that violates any Federal Aviation Regulation. For example,a pilot fails to
obey air traffic control instructions to not cross an active runway when following the authorized route to an
airportgate. A Vehicle/Pedestrian Deviation includes pedestrians,vehicles,or other objects interfering with
aircraft operations by entering or moving on the runway movement area without authorization from air
traffic control.
In an effort to support the FAA's safety mission they are continuously exploring,evaluating and validating
technologies that show potential for increasing runway safety. The FAA evaluates a range of technologies
providing increased pilot and controller awareness of surface aircraft traffic. In May of 2003,the FAA made
a presentation to Contra Costa County Airports asking that they support their request to implement a new
technology test at Buchanan Field Airport(see Attachment A). The FAA selected Buchanan Field Airport
due to its historically high number of Runway Incursions, Surface Incidents, aircraft operations, and its
complex airfield layout.
The FAA asked that Contra Costa County sign a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to complete the
installation and test period, which will expire on or before June 30, 2004 (see Attachment B). Upon
completion of the test the FAA will remove the equipment. If the equipment proves to be successful Contra
Costa County would have an opportunity to purchase the equipment for longterm use.
IV. Consequences of Neizative Action:
The FAA will not install and conduct a test of the new Ground Marker System at Buchanan Field Airport,
The FAA will be required to select an alternate airport site to install and conduct a test of the Ground Marker
System.