1. A. This category is designed to segregate projects by type, defined by the primary purpose of the project. To accomplish this, four subcategories have been designated for project type. These subcategories are:

   1. 1. safety;
   2. 2. airside preservation;
   3. 3. airside improvements; and
   4. 4. landside improvements.

2. B. The subcategories are listed in order of descending importance and point values have been assigned accordingly.

   1. 1. Development of projects directly related to safety of aircraft operations is the highest priority because of the potential for loss of life/property should safety needs not be addressed.
   2. 2. Next is preserving the existing airport system since the existing facilities represent an investment of public dollars, and there is a commitment to maintain those facilities that are in use.
   3. 3. The airside improvements reflect a policy by DOTD to develop facilities to the design standards established by DOTD and the FAA to accommodate existing aviation activity at an airport.
   4. 4. Projects for landside improvements at an airport are last in the project type priority as safety, airside preservation, and airside improvements are all types of projects that need to be addressed in order to maintain a safe and operational airport.
3. C. Except for the "safety" subcategory, the general approach to assigning points to projects within these subcategories is to give highest priority to addressing needs of the primary runway first and then decreasing priorities the farther the project is removed from the primary airside facilities. For example, a project on a primary runway has a higher priority than an apron project, but the apron project has a higher priority than a vehicle parking lot project. Safety projects, because of their importance, are addressed equally, regardless of what area of the airport they impact. The program safety subcategory type for primary runways at rural airports, pertains only to runway pavement projects at airports classified within the rural airport program as defined in this part. For a rural airport to receive points in this category, the airport shall apply for funding assistance for runway pavement work before the runway pavement deteriorates below the state standard specified level for safe aeronautical operations in the airport construction and priority program.
4. D. Project types listed are generic. For instance, any project dealing with the primary runway that is designed to preserve its integrity falls under the "preservation of existing system" subcategory. This means that overlaying of the primary runway receives the same number of points as reconstructing the primary runway because both are designed to preserve the integrity of the runway. The subcategories in the "project type" category are displayed in Exhibit 1, including the type of project within each subcategory and its corresponding point value.
5. E. DOTD may participate in revenue-generating projects such as fueling systems and hangars. Such projects are usually done after all other airside projects or issues have been completed. Certain areas of terminal buildings at general aviation airports may be eligible. Areas such as the airport manager's office, flight planning area, pilot's lounge, and a small conference room would be considered eligible for funding. Areas such as a location for rental car agencies, restaurants, and fixed base operators (FBO's) would not be considered eligible for funding. The size of the terminal building eligible for funding would also be limited to the needs for the size of the airport in which it would be located.

6. F. Safety (see Exhibit 1.A). Projects in this subcategory are limited to those that only affect aircraft operational safety. These are projects such as obstruction removal, runway grooving, aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF) equipment, and lighting. For example, lengthening of a runway improves safety, but its primary purpose is to allow utilization by larger or faster aircraft. In the case of ARFF vehicles, a request for a new ARFF vehicle must have adequate justification. For example: If an airport’s ARFF index requires, as part of its certification, one 1,500 gallon ARFF vehicle, and this vehicle was purchased within the last two years, the ARFF vehicle’s life cycle is expected to last approximately 10-12 years. Therefore, if the sponsor requests a newer ARFF vehicle within this 10-12 year time frame, the ARFF vehicle will not be scored in the ‘safety’ category. Rather, the ARFF vehicle will be scored in the ‘airside improvement’ category due to the age of the recently purchased vehicle, if it is justified by the airport’s current ARFF index. If the airport sponsor requests to continue with an application for an ARFF vehicle that exceeds the airport’s index requirements, the airport sponsor may elect either of the following options:

   1. 1. application may be submitted for 100 percent reimbursement for refurbishment of an existing ARFF vehicle; or
   2. 2. application may be submitted for 25 percent state funding, and the airport sponsor will provide the remaining 75 percent for a new ARFF vehicle. However, after completion of either option, this ARFF vehicle will be categorized as a new vehicle and must comply with the requirements specified in this section. If the ARFF vehicle that is currently allowing the airport to meet its ARFF index requirement is expected to exceed 10-12 years of age by the time of the request, the vehicle can be scored in the ‘safety’ category. Projects in the “safety” category are those developed specifically to address an unsafe condition, and receive the highest evaluation points possible. Only airports that hold current FAR Part 139 Airport Operating Certificates (AOC) with the FAA are eligible for funding in the airport construction and priority program.
7. G. Airside Preservation (see Exhibit 1.B). Projects that are required to maintain the functional integrity of existing facilities are evaluated in this subcategory. Reconstruction of a runway or taxiway and rehabilitation of an existing lighting system are the types of projects included under this subcategory. The point values are assigned with the highest value to projects that maintain the integrity of the primary runway and decrease in value as the facility being maintained moves from preservation of existing facilities toward making improvements to airside facilities.
8. H. Airside Improvements (see Exhibit 1.C). Projects evaluated in this category upgrade a facility to a design standard, based on current needs. The required design standards for facilities are determined by the role the airport plays in the state airport system, and DOTD facility development standards. The airport role and standards are found in the LASP, appropriate FAA and state airport design advisories, and engineering briefs.
9. I. Landside Improvements (see Exhibit 1.D). Projects in this subcategory are designed to facilitate the handling of issues dealing strictly with landside improvements. These projects receive the least amount of points in the prioritization process due to the fact that emphasis must be put on airside to maintain safe and operational airports. Projects in this subcategory may be addressed once the airside issues have been addressed and resolved.

Authority Note

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with USC 49:47103, SCR 67 (1997) and R.S. 2:6.

Historical Note

HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Transportation and Development, Division of Aviation, LR 16:538 (June 1990), amended LR 24:1510 (August 1998), amended by the Department of Transportation and Development, Intermodal Transportation Division, LR 33:524 (March 2007), repromulgated by the Department of Transportation and Development, Aviation Section, LR 39:109 (January 2013), amended by the Department of Transportation and Development, Intermodal Transportation Division, Aviation Section, LR 42:760 (May 2016), amended by the Department of Transportation and Development, Office of Multimodal Commerce, LR 49:1422 (August 2023).