Evaluating the aviation infrastructure in West Virginia as part of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Infrastructure Report Card.

Abstract

Eliza McCallister, Dept. of Engineering Technology, Fairmont State University, Fairmont, WV 26554, and Dr. Jason Bolyard, Dept. of Engineering Technology, Fairmont State University, Fairmont, WV 26554. Evaluating the aviation infrastructure in West Virginia as part of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Infrastructure Report Card.

The development of an Infrastructure Report Card for West Virginia’s airports follows the evaluation framework established by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). This report card aims to assess the state of airport infrastructure across West Virginia by examining key performance indicators such as annual flight operations, passenger enplanements, delays, facility conditions, funding sources, and safety measures. Additional focal areas include resilience planning, economic impacts, and the adoption of new technologies.

The assessment incorporates recent flight data from key West Virginia airports to provide a current snapshot of aviation activity. West Virginia International Yeager Airport (CRW) in Charleston handles approximately 100 daily departing flights. Over the past 30 days, 47% of CRW departures experienced delays averaging 56 minutes, with a 4.44% cancellation rate. Huntington Tri-State Airport (HTS) saw 259 total flights, averaging 9 per day, with 45% of departures delayed over 15 minutes and an average delay of 54 minutes. The cancellation rate at HTS was 1.47% during this period. This data helps assess airport capacity, operations, and investment planning.

The assessment will evaluate West Virginia’s airports on capacity, condition, funding, operations, safety, resilience, and innovation. A comprehensive Infrastructure Report Card will guide investment, address future demands, and ensure long-term sustainability. This study informs policymakers, industry stakeholders, and the public on needed improvements and best practices.

This research was made possible by WV Higher Education Policy Commission, STaR Division