Tulsa International Airport (TUL) and Tulsa Riverside Airport (RVS) recently completed a swift and transformative leap in asset management and operations oversight through the implementation of Cityworks, a GIS-centric platform that has unified departments, enhanced safety, and laid a digital foundation for future growth.
Led by the Tulsa Airports Improvement Trust (TAIT), the initiative replaced legacy systems with a single, integrated solution designed to streamline workflows, centralize safety reporting, and improve communication across both airport campuses. The platform went live in just 45 days, a rapid deployment timeline made possible through strategic vision, leadership support, and full team engagement.
“This project took us from the year 2000 to 2024 in about 45 days,” said Cole Brown, A.A.E., ACE, Director of Operations at TUL. “It was a large-scale shift in how we manage information, people, and processes.”
Identifying the Need for Modernization
Prior to implementation, TAIT relied on two independent and outdated work management systems that didn’t communicate with one another. The resulting silos between airside and landside operations not only complicated day-to-day management but also posed risks to timely safety reporting, particularly during FAA inspections and incident response.
The reliance on paper-based processes further slowed the team’s ability to react to safety concerns or conduct asset lifecycle planning. Departments often duplicated efforts, data was inconsistently entered, and critical work orders could be overlooked due to system fragmentation.
“We wanted to bring all our working groups at both airports together and have everyone use the same program,” said Brown. “Our vision was to develop a project tracking and asset management platform that used geographic information systems (GIS) to enhance collaboration and planning across departments.”
By consolidating asset data and safety reporting into a centralized platform, TAIT aimed to improve its regulatory compliance posture, increase efficiency, and foster better communication between departments and airport users alike.
Design, Construction and Execution
The project launched in September 2023, spearheaded by TAIT leadership in close collaboration with Woolpert, a long-time GIS consulting partner for the airport. The airport had maintained GIS data since 2001, providing a strong foundation to support the new digital transformation.
“The support from our CEO and COO was critical,” said Brown. “We had a champion in management who made it clear to the organization that the change was both necessary and beneficial.”
Brown credits the project’s accelerated timeline to detailed planning, deep collaboration between internal teams and Woolpert, and a culture of accountability that included late-night and weekend work sessions to keep the transition on track.
“This size project takes a large-scale communication plan,” he said. “Everyone had to be on board, and we held numerous meetings and demonstrations to build buy-in across every department.”
Historical data collection was one of the major hurdles. TAIT prioritized integrating decades of asset knowledge into the platform—a task that required both institutional memory and technical agility. “Historical data is very valuable, and ensuring it was placed into the new program was a challenge,” Brown said. “But our innovative staff and the team at Woolpert made it happen.”
Lessons Learned and the Funding Behind the System
The successful implementation of Cityworks has created operational efficiencies across the board, from eliminating duplicate reports to speeding up safety mitigation.
“Using two separate systems, work orders were often missed or left open long past their completion date,” said Brown. “Now, all operational groups can enter inspections and work orders into one system, and they can be updated in real time by anyone with access.”
The integration has also streamlined FAA Part 139 compliance, enhanced hazard mitigation, and strengthened the airport’s Safety Management System (SMS), which was among the first approved in the region.
“Cityworks brings together all avenues of safety reporting from each aspect of our operations,” Brown explained. “Reports are collected from airfield inspections, law enforcement, ARFF, and wildlife teams, then reviewed through our SMS lens. We can now identify hazards quickly and document mitigation actions efficiently.”
The project was executed using internal resources from TAIT and technical implementation support from Woolpert. Though not driven by direct federal or state funding, the project supports federally mandated safety requirements and aligns with broader national efforts to digitize infrastructure.
“This kind of transformation is what the FAA wants to see in proactive airport management,” said Brown. “We’re now using analytics to drive decision-making and reduce operational disruptions.”
TAIT recommends that other airports considering a similar move secure strong executive backing and maintain consistent investment in GIS data and system upkeep.
“A champion in upper management is essential,” Brown said. “You need buy-in from the top to demonstrate the ROI and long-term benefit of breaking down silos and unifying your vision.”
The Future Vision: A Platform for Growth
Beyond operational improvements, Cityworks is positioning TAIT for long-term scalability and passenger-focused service enhancements. One of the most visible changes is the forward-facing portal that allows tenants and airport users to report hazards or track project statuses, contributing to a more transparent and responsive airport environment.
“Our employees are really beginning to take this program and make it their own,” said Brown. “We’re also getting very positive feedback from tenants and passengers about the safety reporting portal.”
In the near future, TAIT plans to integrate construction project tracking and customer service capabilities into the system. Tools are being developed to allow tenants to apply for construction and alteration permits, track applications through various approval stages, and engage directly with the airport’s help desk.
“We now have a system that can serve as a communication pathway between our customers and internal teams,” said Brown. “We’re already working on letting customers report outages, request escorts, and flag facilities in need of attention.”
TAIT also envisions integrating departments such as finance, human resources, planning, and real estate into the Cityworks platform to create a fully unified digital operations environment.
“This will be difficult, but we dream big here at TUL and RVS,” Brown said. “We have the brightest minds in the industry, and we’re building a system that will evolve with us.”
A New Standard for Airport Operations
The Cityworks implementation has set a new standard for midsize airport operations, demonstrating how thoughtful planning, strong leadership, and cross-team engagement can produce lasting operational improvements. From internal communications to tenant interaction and regulatory compliance, the project has touched every corner of the airport’s functions.
“We’re playing from the same sheet of music now,” said Brown. “That integrated approach is helping us operate more safely, efficiently, and intelligently.”
For TAIT, this transformation is not the finish line but a launching point for continued innovation. With its GIS-centric foundation and a committed team, Tulsa’s airport system is ready to meet the evolving demands of the aviation industry — and set an example for others along the way.
