Air Quality Improvement Projects
The Sacramento County Airport System has invested over $26 million to upgrade airfield facilities and equipment to reduce emissions while modernizing SMF to meet the growing regional air travel demands. A tremendous variety of complex programs have been implemented to demonstrate the airports commitment to helping the region attain air quality goals.
The Sacramento County Airport System received the
1998 Governor's Environmental and Economic Leadership Award for Environmental Management.
Airfield Design
The overall layout of the airfield has been carefully designed and constructed to streamline operations thereby minimizing emissions caused by congestion and delays of aircraft and vehicles.
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Centrally located passenger terminals provide convenient dual roadway vehicular access, and short taxi distances for aircraft. This enhances safety and minimizes delays and emissions.
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Parallel runways (east and west) and adjoining taxiways permit concurrent aircraft operations. This reduces aircraft queuing and minimizes emissions from idling engines. The twin 8,600-foot runways provide an extra margin of operational safety. The runway/taxiway design includes "high-speed turnouts" that reduce the braking requirements of arriving aircraft. This allows them to quickly exit the runway and taxi to terminal gates, reducing delays and emissions.
On-Airport Ground Transportation Services
Ground access vehicles represent the largest pollutant source since the emissions from their entire trip to and from the airport are attributed to SMF. Numerous trip reduction efforts center on programs to promote voluntary ridesharing and the use of public transit by patrons and employees.
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YoloBus provides scheduled bus services linking the airport with numerous other transit routes in Sacramento, West Sacramento, Woodland, Davis, and Solano County .
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State-of-the-art rental car operation features a consolidated facility served by a low-emission shuttle bus fleet. Shuttle service to the new facility is now handled by eight buses, compared to the 26 vans formerly used. This has reduced terminal curbside congestion and emissions by eliminating 1,200 shuttle trips and 1,650 vehicle miles traveled per day.
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Efficient parking shuttle bus routes reduce travelers' ride time between the parking lots and terminals. A fleet of 22 buses powered by compressed natural gas (CNG) are now being used. All buses are equipped with wheelchair lifts to comply with handicap regulations.
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Roadway and parking improvements reduce vehicular congestion and emissions. Elevated roadway crossings have improved traffic flows and increased safety. Convenient parking discourages "double trips" caused by passengers who choose to be dropped-off and picked-up by others, to avoid parking for the duration of their trip.
