Celebrating 20 Years of Innovative Research Products from the Airport Cooperative Research Program

Fast-paced, dynamic, and multi-faceted— that’s the landscape of the airport industry. Airport practitioners face complex challenges that require practical timely solutions. That’s where the Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP) can help! Over the past 20 years, ACRP has supported airport professionals nationwide, offering evidence-based solutions to address industry challenges. ACRP’s research has helped airports enhance operational efficiency, advance maintenance practices, and plan strategically for growth.

Airport practitioners can explore free, unbiased, industry-proven research on topics ranging from designing better restrooms to managing airfield operations. The program provides accessible, research-backed tools to support every facet of airport management. Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), for example, used ACRP research to help inform their restroom modernization initiative. “ACRP Report 130: Guidebook for Airport Terminal Restroom Planning and Design has been an invaluable tool to ensure that our program goals are met,” shared Api Appulingam, Chief Development Officer at PHL.

Since its establishment in 2005 by an act of Congress, ACRP has overseen more than $270 million in funding for more than 700 research projects. Looking ahead, the Federal Aviation Administration projects that passenger traffic will increase by more than 62 percent by 2044. Meanwhile, airport infrastructure investments needed in the next few years are estimated to exceed $151 billion. These numbers underscore the importance of programs like ACRP that provide actionable, cost-effective, evidence-based guidance to inform strategic decisions.

ACRP is celebrating its 20^th anniversary of offering valuable programs and delivering research to the airport community by hosting a special celebration on September 26^th, 2025. ACRP Day will commemorate Airport practitioners sharing their stories from across the country and will include a virtual peer event. Visit the ACRP 20^th Anniversary page for more information on this celebration and how to get involved.

Airport industry professionals can participate in ACRP programs numerous ways and benefit from their resources:

Stay informed by visiting the ACRP website to explore current research, tools, and publications.

Join an event and participate in an ACRP Webinar or Insight Event to connect with fellow professionals and shape the future of the industry.

Contribute your ideas by submitting a Problem Statement—ACRP wants to hear about the challenges and opportunities you're facing.

Serve as a Panelist by applying to serve on a research project and have the opportunity to scope the research, select the contractor and provide technical and oversight of the work.
Become an Ambassador and help promote ACRP’s value throughout your professional network by serving as an ACRP Ambassador.

Stay connected to ACRP Updates by signing up to receive timely notifications on the latest ACRP research and programs.

Connect to ACRP academic opportunities and participate in the Graduate Research Award and University Design Competition programs

Join the 20^th Anniversary celebration and sign-up to share your story and get on the ACRP map.

ACRP’s collaborative research approach is responding to airport industry needs by providing research on topics such as resilience and infrastructure—ensuring airports are prepared not just for more passengers, but for a more complex operating environment. As airports continue to evolve to the challenges facing their industry, ACRP serves as a valuable partner helping to bridge research to practice, ideas to action, and connecting professionals to each other.