The Environment & Energy (E&E) Research and Development (R&D) Portfolio is supporting the development of a comprehensive suite of analytical tools to quantify the environmental consequences and impacts of aviation. At the center of these analytical tools is the Aviation Environmental Design Tool (AEDT), which can quantify the noise, fuel burn and emissions resulting from all aspects of aircraft operations. This tool is designed to model individual studies ranging in scope from a single flight at an airport to scenarios at regional, national, and global scales. The other tools in the suite are designed to complement the AEDT capabilities by generating data to be used as input or processing outputs to develop additional information. 

AEDT is the required tool for the environmental review of infrastructure projects and other Federal actions affecting airports and airspace in the United States. In addition to being a required tool for Federal actions, AEDT has a broader use both domestically and internationally. The tool is used by aviation professionals, researchers, manufacturers, airlines, airports, and other national aviation authorities to address a variety of environmental questions associated with aircraft operations.  Additionally, the Aviation Environmental Tool Suite supports the analysis needs of the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection (CAEP).  The suite is used to develop analysis scenarios required by the ICAO CAEP’s work programs and AEDT is the primary tool for the computations of the worldwide results that inform CAEP decisions.

The Aviation Environmental Tools Suite capabilities are continuously being improved and expanded to adapt to the evolving nature of the aviation system and its components.  The E&E R&D Portfolio supports tools research and development activities through the U.S. DOT Volpe Center and the Aviation Sustainability Center (ASCENT), the FAA’s Center of Excellence (COE) for Alternative Jet Fuels and Environment, and in coordination with other federal agencies including National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).