Airport Safety Management Systems

Problem Statement and Objectives

ARA was the prime contractor for the development of a guidebook for airport safety management systems (ASMS) to help 14 CFR Part 139 certificated airport operators implement a systematic, proactive and reactive, and well-defined safety management program that will help reaching the next level in the aviation industry. This work provides the framework for make technological advances in airport safety management and ultimately can be used by FAA to:

• Modify policy
  
• Assess regulatory and policy compliance
  
• Improve safety management at FAA-governed airports
  
• Improve system-wide safety management

An airport safety management system (SMS) provides a systematic, proactive approach to manage risks at the airport. The SMS will provide a systematic, proactive approach that includes (a) documenting identified hazards and their mitigation; (b) monitoring and measuring the ongoing safety experience of the airport; (c) establishing a voluntary non-punitive safety reporting system that can be used by employees of the airport operator, airlines, and tenants; and (d) improving the entire airport's safety culture. A key component of an SMS is safety risk management that considers the probabilities of occurrence of an accident/incident and the severity or consequences of that accident/incident.

ICAO recently adopted a standard for SMS that has been applicable to international airports since November 2005. The FAA has developed guidance on SMS implementation in the United States and is planning to issue a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) in the near future. Moreover, the FAA has established an SMS Pilot Program and selected 20 airports to implement SMS.

Results and Benefits

ARA's work produced a useful guidebook for airports to use in developing and implementing their safety management systems consistent with guidance provided by the FAA. The SMS guidebook describes the associated concepts, methodologies, processes, tools, and safety performance measurements that can be applied by airports based on their level of operations and complexity.

As a result of the ACRP 04-05 Study, airports will have documented guidelines for developing and implementing airport safety management systems. Many airports are proceeding with the implementation of safety management systems as part of the FAA Pilot Program on SMS and ARA is in various stage of completing SMS programs for Dallas/Fort Worth International, Jacksonville (FL) International, and Lexington Blue-Grass (KY) airports. As part of these efforts, ARA is helping conduct gap analyses, develop SMS documentation, and prepare implementation plans. Moreover, ARA can provide technical support during SMS implementation, audits for safety management systems, and SMS training program. ARA's solutions are fully compatible with FAA Advisory Circular 150/5200-37 and 14 CFR Part 139.