WSDOT — Aviation stakeholders are encouraged to comment on the goals of the upcoming Washington Aviation System Plan update. Last updated in 2009, the WASP is a statewide strategy to maintain and improve Washington’s air transportation system to meet current and future needs.

The Washington State Department of Transportation’s Aviation Division anticipates starting the update this summer. The update will address air transport, general aviation and air cargo, and will include the following components:

• Inventory of the state’s 134 airports and their current conditions

• Analysis of future airport activity

• Airport design standard deficiencies

• Modal connections and intermodal needs

• Aviation system alternatives

• 20-year priority list for future aviation system development

• Updated system plan goals, performance standards and policy recommendations

Unique to this WASP update, WSDOT will also examine emerging technologies, such as the Federal Aviation Administration’s NextGen initiatives, geographic information systems, unmanned aerial vehicles and the role of remote air traffic control.

WSDOT invites stakeholders to:

• Provide feedback on the proposed goals of the WASP update

• Suggest additional goals

• Share experiences and challenges as users of the state’s aviation system

Please submit feedback by Feb. 14 to Nisha Marvel, WSDOT Aviation communications, at marveln@wsdot.wa.gov.