| Questions | Question 1 | Question 2 | Question 3 | Question 4 | Question 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A. Decision to be made (Phrased as a question.): |
What size of land will need to be allocated to the airport? | Which location is ideal based on environmental (animal, chemical, and geological) data? | Is meteorological data appropriate for a region with an airport? | What transportation, power, water, and community developments need to be considered? | Is the community in favor, and if so, what do they think is the ideal location? What is land used for now? What are economic and community gains possible? |
| B. Critical Factors Involved | Type of airport Airport facilities Future development Actual measurements | River Animals Geology Environmental Quality Tests |
How runway is oriented related to wind Wind direction and speed Storm, flood, & earthquake incidence Visibility |
If current power and water supplies are sufficient for airport Plans for future developments (based on airport or community need) Developments based on environmental constraints Cost/Feasibility |
Current land use What residents and companies think Parameters for money loss and profit |
| C. Information known | Size of precision instrument airport for single runway for large and small passenger and cargo airplanes Size for 4 large hangars, terminal, roads, parking garages, 3 20-story hotels, gas station Room for extra runways (5000 feet away from other runway), terminals, highway expansion (optional) 20,000 x 12,900 feet rectangular region for runway |
A lot of animals; frog and owl are endangered Leveling of land, treatment of wetlands, and riverside construction are costly and labor intensive. No high-rises or runways in 20 degree slope, wetland, or landfill region, due to unstable bedrock. Residents concerned about noise pollution (82%), as well as air ad water pollution. Construct airport away from water resources to prevent water pollution. Burrowing owl (endangered) burrows in grasslands, very tolerant of human activity, need less than an acre for several owls Red-Legged Frog (endangered) lives in wetlands, streams. Sensitive to mining, land development, increases in temperature, and decrease in habitat. Soil quality good and relatively uniform. Noise pollution will increase a lot; airport committee should develop limits to times, regions, and frequency of air travel and restrict number of runways and loudness of airplanes serviced. Good air quality; pollution from highway, industrial sources, but primary winds push this east. Only contaminant levels within 1/4 mile of landfill are in violation of standards. By comparison, airlines produce very little air pollution; most pollution comes from industrial and sewage waste. |
Runway oriented parallel to wind; airplanes take off into wind Drought 8 out of 30 years (often) depletes much water resources Temperatures mild; rare freezing and overly hot days. Rains every month (very little to 3.5 inches). No snow. Sky covered every month (2/10 to 8/10). Two major winds: primary in W / WNW direction at average of 18.42 mph; secondary ESE/SE at 10.67 mph. Thunderstorms rare and quick(done in 3 hrs). Low clouds November to April, with most in January and February, from evening to mid-morning. Earthquakes extremely common but small. Rotor winds are a problem for low-flying aircraft passing over mountains. |
Additional lanes (one in each direction) between exits 1 and 2 on Hwy 200; 2 bridge overpasses New roads around the airport structure Increasing schools, hospitals, roads, water, and power, if airport use causes community to grow. Increasing trash pick-up and accident response on highway with more airport traffic. Mass transit options with stations and pedestrian traffic ramps. (optional) 30% increase in power use requires new facility to be built (126 million dollars; environmentally friendly). 20% increase in water needs; will want new well & pump OR water & pipeline, water treatment facilities, water conservation sinks and toilets Construct with earthquake preparedness in mind! Development for containment of pollutants between landfill and river taking place, based on high levels of water pollutants from previous tests. Pollution has occurred within 1/4 mile of landfill perimeter. Pollution from ground traffic will increase dramatically, potentially strongly affecting the "pristine" construction region. Electromagnetic field in SW corner interrupts communication and navigation of aircraft. |
Current use: Cow Grazing Land, hiking (hills), fishing (river) Yes- 70% of residents Yes- Manufacturing industry wants for increasing distribution and receipt; new companies and university may come; will increase tourism Only 20% Keene employed in industry benefiting from airport, although this has been increasing, and 20% businesses want to extend air travel. Airport can provide services to prior LA or San Jose passengers. Airport must be used above 30% capacity to be profitable, but targeting of patrons in order to prevent loss of money is being done. Use above 50% capacity will result in profit that can be used for community development and expansion. Keene residents not wealthy - will travel no more than 2 times per year. Residents want flight path as far from residential area as possible; SW corner(but power lines?) Residents don't want interruption of hiking and fishing, destruction of wetlands, killing of endangered species. Air travel over the city may cause stress to high-rise workers; difficult to discern terrorist activity. |
| D. Information
needed (question) |
How much space with facilities take up (everything except runway)? | What location would be best? | none | Is cost feasible for development? | How high are power lines and how low do airplanes fly? What is the capacity of an airport of this type? |
| E. Resources
for fact-finding |
Virtual Skies tutorial (Airport design) Photos of airports (with scale). Historical blueprints. Physical measurement of buildings. |
The knowledge listed above. | N/A | Historical budgets for other airports. Web search including |
Trigonometry using right triangles and power poles in one's neighborhood. Virtual skies tutorial (Aviation research) Web search |
| F. Answers to each question |
Physical size varies based on layout of terminals and other facilities, which may be very efficiently spaced, with stacking of floors, or spread out. |
Grasslands ideal. Committee should impose regulations to control noise pollution. |
N/A | Keene officials would have to present budget, generate contracts for construction. This would come up locally as the plan was being investigated. Cost would vary. From web site above: 3 million to over 1 billion (based on Dayton airport extension). |
The height of power lines range from 0 (underground) to hundreds of feet. The height relative to sea level will vary, based on construction on slopes. They would be noted hazards on flight charts. At full capacity(and pushing the limits a bit), a single runway airport of this type can handle up to 22,000 people per hour. |
| A. Possible Decisions | B. Negative Consequences |
B. Positive Consequences |
C. Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|
1. Runway running NW to SE, through grassland |
Encroaches on some owl habitat, although, this being a tolerant species, the owls should manage. Direction does not take full advantage of strongest (primary) winds. Approach or take-off over city buildings may be a safety concern (regarding terrorist activity). Rotor winds may provide a risk if airplane not at high altitude. |
Traffic directed over city or not at all (if airport as far west as possible). Close to highway and proposed exit, so road construction is minimal, as are water pipes and electrical lines routing excess power and water supplies to Keene Far from river and much of wetland; appropriate waste water management should prevent water pollution. Sufficient space is available to build a parallel runway or W-E runway 5,000 feet away from first runway. High-rise hotels, gas station, and other facilities can be built below the SE edge of the 20-degree slope, and not be in flight paths Meets most of residents' concerns. |
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2. Runway passing through grassland W-E direction, beginning after slope |
Encroaches on some owl habitat, although, this being a tolerant species, the owls should manage. Landing traffic directed over residential area, which was a major resident concern. |
Direction takes advantage of strongest primary winds. Far from river and much of wetland; appropriate waste water management should prevent water pollution. Close to highway and proposed exit, so road construction is minimal, as are water pipes and electrical lines routing excess power and water supplies to Keene Sufficient space is available to build a parallel runway or NW-SE runway 5,000 feet away from first runway. High-rise hotel construction involves less efficient use of space than top choice, but is still feasible. |
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3. Runway running NW to SE at E end of valley between slopes, still in sloped region |
Cross-winds may result as winds pass over terrain and through valley. Direction does not take full advantage of strongest (primary) winds. Terrain will require costly and labor-intensive leveling; convenient development of facilities is limited by terrain. May require more energy to pump water and bring resources (during construction) uphill somewhat. Space limited for second runway, unless it is in grasslands or farther west in sloped region. Airport encroaches on valuable hiking trails. Rotor winds may provide a risk if airplane not at high altitude. |
Does not encroach on owl habitat, though some road construction will. Close to highway and proposed exit, so road construction is minimal, as are water pipes and electrical lines routing excess power and water supplies to Keene High-rise hotels could be built in sloped regions, which could be more aesthetic and attractive than those in grassy regions. Far from river and much of wetland; appropriate waste water management should prevent water pollution. Traffic not directed over residential area and majority of city. |
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4. Runway running W-E in valley between 12 and 15 degree slope |
Terrain will require extremely costly and labor-intensive leveling; convenient development of facilities is limited by terrain. Cross-winds may result as winds pass over terrain and through valley. Far from highway and proposed exits, so road construction, water pipes, and electricity routing excess to city will need to be long. Electromagnetic fields could provide significant interference for airplanes immediately after take-off. Space extremely limited for second runway. Will require more energy to pump water and bring resources (during construction) uphill. Airport encroaches on valuable hiking trails. |
Direction takes advantage of strongest winds, though these may be made stronger or weaker based upon valley and ridge geometry. High-rise hotels could be built in sloped regions, which could be more aesthetic and attractive than those in grassy regions. Far from river and much of wetland; appropriate waste water management should prevent water pollution. Traffic not directed over residential area and majority of city, as it would be of a high altitude once flying over these regions. Does not encroach on owl habitat, though some road construction will. |
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5. Runway W-E direction on crest of 15 or 12 degree sloped region |
Terrain will require extremely costly and labor-intensive leveling; convenient development of facilities is limited by terrain. Landslides may become a major issue for ridge-top construction. Cross-winds may result as winds pass over terrain and through valley. Far from highway and proposed exits, so road construction, water pipes, and electricity routing excess to city will need to be long. Electromagnetic fields could provide significant interference for airplanes immediately after take-off. Space extremely limited for second runway. Will require more energy to pump water and bring resources (during construction) uphill. Airport encroaches on valuable hiking trails. |
High-rise hotels could be built in sloped regions, which could be more aesthetic and attractive than those in grassy regions. Runoff management including industrial wastes will be very difficult to manage (the ridge is narrow); runoff may pollute soil and water. Traffic not directed over residential area and majority of city, as it would be of a high altitude once flying over these regions. Does not encroach on owl habitat, though some road construction will. Will not encroach on wetlands environment. Direction takes advantage of strongest winds, though these may be made stronger or weaker based upon valley and ridge geometry. |
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6. No Airport should be developed |
Residents in favor of prospect of community expansion including more businesses and a university. New water and power resources are not created, which could have eased problems during drought. Community does not grow and develop as quickly as it might have; economic potential cannot be realized with the addition of a new airport. |
Current business interested is very limited, and most residents are poor. It is best not to risk community debt due to this project. Hiking and fishing activity is not encroached. Habitat for owl and frog are not disturbed. Pollution issues set to rest. |
| Final decision with rationale: TOP 3 CHOICES | First Choice: Runway passing through grassland W-E direction, beginning after slope | Second choice: Runway running NW to SE, through grassland | Third Choice: No Airport should be developed | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reflect upon decision: | This choice takes advantage of high winds, is cost and labor-efficient, offers multiple expansion options, and minimal risk to habitat and pollution. The drawbacks are minimal, including traffic passing over residential areas, contrary to resident requests. However, with thoughtful regulations, noise pollution can be minimized. |
This choice has most of the same positive features as the top choice, except that it uses the secondary winds for take-off and landing. Traffic passes over the city, making residents happy, but probably making air traffic controllers and city high-rise workers nervous for terrorist activity. Rotor winds are a minor issue that can be avoided with the runway being placed far away from the mountains. |
The negative impact of immense debt in a community far outweighs desire to acquire something, especially without assurance that it will bring benefits to the area. |
A side note: Ideally, if a second runway were added, the top two choices would be combined to produce adjacent runways occurring at an angle to each other. |