Services/Transportation
Transportation
State Aviation System Planning
Cignus supports statewide aviation system plan updates for state DOTs, conducting comprehensive airport inventories, stakeholder surveys, economic impact analyses, and long-range forecasting. Our work with the Virginia Department of Aviation (DOAV) and the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) shapes multi-billion dollar investment strategies across entire state airport systems, addressing emerging technologies like Virtual Towers, UAS integration, and Advanced Air Mobility alongside traditional infrastructure needs.
Airport System Inventory
Comprehensive data collection across all system airports covering infrastructure, operations, and technology.
Stakeholder Survey Programs
Custom online survey design, deployment, and analysis for airports, airlines, and tenants.
Long-Range Forecasting
Demand projections through 20+ year planning horizons incorporating emerging mobility modes.
System Plan Reports
Publication-ready plan documents with GIS visualizations and executive summaries.
Airport GIS & Spatial Analysis
Our GIS team delivers custom spatial analysis platforms that help planning agencies make evidence-based decisions about airport system investments. We build interactive dashboards featuring population drive-time analyses, service area coverage mapping, AAM vertiport accessibility studies, and demographic trend overlays. These tools transform raw geospatial data into actionable intelligence for state aviation offices, regional planning organizations, and individual airport sponsors.
Population Drive-Time Analysis
Multi-ring service area mapping with census data integration.
AAM/UAM Access Studies
Metropolitan area vertiport accessibility and coverage gap analysis.
Interactive GIS Dashboards
Web-based visualization tools for stakeholder engagement and decision support.
Obstruction Evaluation
Cignus provides FAR Part 77 obstruction evaluation services for airports and heliports, including imaginary surface analysis, line-of-sight studies, and obstacle clearance assessments. Our team uses GIS-based analytical tools to evaluate proposed development near airports and identify potential airspace conflicts before they become regulatory issues, supporting both airport sponsors and developers in navigating the FAA obstruction evaluation process.
FAR Part 77 Analysis
Imaginary surface penetration assessment for proposed structures near airports.
Line-of-Sight Studies
Visibility analysis between ATC towers, runway ends, and approach corridors.
Crane and Construction Review
Temporary obstruction assessments for construction activities near airport environments.
Noise & Community Impact
Our noise analysis practice combines acoustic modeling expertise with community engagement skills to help airports manage the complex relationship between aviation operations and neighboring communities. We produce noise contour maps, population exposure analyses, and before/after comparisons that quantify the impact of proposed procedure changes, runway reconfigurations, and fleet mix evolution.
Noise Contour Mapping
DNL and supplemental metric contour generation using AEDT and INM.
Community Outreach Programs
Workshop planning, public meeting facilitation, and stakeholder communication strategies.
Population Exposure Analysis
Census-based quantification of noise-impacted populations and housing units.
Emerging Mobility Integration
Cignus helps transportation agencies prepare for the integration of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) into existing aviation infrastructure. We conduct vertiport feasibility studies, UAS integration assessments, and regulatory readiness evaluations that position states and airports to capitalize on emerging mobility technologies while managing safety, airspace, and community impact considerations.
UAS Integration Assessments
Airspace compatibility analysis and operational concept development for drone operations.
Vertiport Feasibility Studies
Site selection, infrastructure requirements, and demand modeling for AAM facilities.
Regulatory Readiness
Gap analysis against evolving FAA UAS/AAM regulations and policy guidance.
Economic & Benefit-Cost Analysis
Our economists produce rigorous benefit-cost analyses and economic impact studies that justify airport investments to funding agencies, legislative bodies, and the public. We quantify direct, indirect, and induced economic impacts using RIMS II multipliers and FAA-standard methodologies, and we develop benefit-cost ratios that meet FAA Airports Division and FHWA requirements for discretionary grant applications.
Benefit-Cost Analysis
FAA-standard BCA methodology for AIP, BIL, and discretionary grant applications.
Economic Impact Studies
Direct, indirect, and induced impact quantification using RIMS II multipliers.
Financial Feasibility
Revenue forecasting, rate-setting analysis, and capital funding strategy development.