Leadership and Collaboration

As airports are expanded and renovated, increased efficiency is vital to maintain operations and prepare for the future. With these infrastructure improvements, large-hub airports, like PHL, can make a significant impacts in sustainability and resilience with their capital projects. With the Taxiway U&Y Rehabilitation project, PHL demonstrated sustainability and climate resilience have been prioritized in the design and construction of all capital projects. The Taxiway J Rehabilitation Project at PHL earned the Envision Verified Award in February 2024.

The project team’s emphasis on sustainability led to the development of ambitious project goals for construction and demolition waste management. These specifications outlined contractor responsibilities for recycling materials, such as asphalt and concrete, and maximizing the use of on-site recycled content. The team also held interdisciplinary meetings to align lighting, stormwater management, and construction practices with sustainability goals.

Enhance Public Health and Safety

The project goes beyond FAA requirements by designing taxiways to accommodate ADG VI aircraft, enhancing safety for larger planes not commonly operating at PHL. This forward-thinking approach mitigates risks for aircraft, vehicles, and personnel while improving operational efficiency. LED lighting upgrades for taxiway centerlines, runway guard lights, and airfield signs increase visibility during low-light conditions, further enhancing safety.

Construction Waste Management

The Philadelphia Department of Aviation’s (DOA) Design Guidelines require that all airside and landside infrastructure projects recycle at least 75% of their construction and demolition waste, a goal that was successfully achieved for this project (actual total was 99.93%). Key materials managed sustainably included 45,513 tons of asphalt millings, 36,764 tons of aggregate, 220 tons of concrete, and 20 tons of steel. The plan also addressed miscellaneous debris, ensuring minimal environmental impact. By documenting and repurposing materials, the project reduced waste and promoted sustainable practices throughout the construction process.

Natural World

100% of the project is located on previously developed land. The larger work area north of the Runway sees a significant reduction in pavement through removal of excess shoulder area. Overall, there is a net reduction in pavement area of 2,400 square yards throughout the entire project area. The area of excess pavement removed was returned to vegetation.

Climate Resilience

PHL’s Climate Vulnerability Assessment (CVA) identified risks such as rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and sea-level rise. PHL communicated an executive summary of the plan publicly. Since PHL sits on the bank of the Delaware River, a tidal waterbody, sea-level rise is a particularly concerning issue for the airport. PHL’s Climate Adaptation and Resiliency Plan (CARP) proposes strategies for adapting to sea-level rise projections. The CARP also identifies targeted goals and metrics to improve PHL’s response to the climate change risks. The airport will work with surrounding at-risk communities to evaluate and mitigate flood risks, improve transparency and the cooperative flow of information, and develop training programs and protocols.