Abstract

Using GIS for Spatial Analysis of Airport Wildlife Hazard Assessments
Track: Environmental Management
Authors: Brad Allen

Every year wildlife strikes by aircraft causes significant amounts of monetary property damages and have the potential to cause the loss of human life. The FAA provides regulations and certifications that require certain airports to undertake a Wildlife Hazard Assessment (WHA) if certain criteria are met regarding wildlife strikes. Performing the WHA consists of a 12 month survey for the identification of wildlife species, their numbers, locations, local movements, the identification of features/habitats that attract wildlife and recommendation how to manage wildlife in the future.
This project shows how ArcGIS can be used to simplify field collection, and provide geospatial analysis of the field collected data. ArcGIS also provides a tool for the visualization of the data that can be used by airport managers and planners to better understand the environments surrounding the airport and how they can make air travel safer by better managing the wildlife around the airport.