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Air Transportation

Air transportation connects people and drives economic growth. The National Academies study safety, innovation, and sustainability in aviation systems.

What's happening

Video Recordings from TRB Annual Meeting Now Available

Announcement

The 2026 TRB Annual Meeting brought together thousands of transportation researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to share current research and discuss pressing issues across all transportation modes. Watch sessions featuring high-profile speakers focused on the surface transportation funding reauthorization bill, megaprojects, road safety, and modernizing transportation systems.

Are contrails harmful to the environment?

Based on Science

Some contrails can contribute to global warming. Contrails—pure ice clouds (“cirrus”) that form from aircraft exhaust under specific cold conditions—can trap heat in the atmosphere, sometimes creating as much warming as the carbon dioxide released by burning jet fuel.

Airplane flying through a blue sky leaving contrails

FAA Should Modernize its Safety Practices to Manage Emerging Hazards and Support Adoption of New Technologies

News Release

A new report explores how the Federal Aviation Administration can improve its safety risk management practices, foster a stronger safety culture in commercial aviation companies, and better position itself to oversee and regulate an industry facing transformative changes.

airplane on tarmac

Featured Publications

UAS Flight Proficiency Examination: Proctor Guide for PROPS Test

2026

Recycled Asphalt Materials: Binder Availability and Its Impact on Mix Performance

2026

Preparing U.S. Airport Infrastructure for Weather Events

2026

Total Rewards for Airport Sponsor Employees

2026

Public Transportation in Rural Areas and Tribal Communities: Guide for Service Improvements

2025

Upcoming events

Featured work

Perspectives on the Impact of Active Shooter Drills and Other School Security Measures: A Listening Session Series

Consensus/Advisory Activity

Study and Recommendations on the HIMS, FADAP, and Other Drug and Alcohol Programs within the USDOT

Consensus/Advisory Activity

Transport Airplane Risk Assessment Methodology

Consensus/Advisory Activity

Intercity Passenger Travel: Opportunities and Issues in Short-haul Markets

Consensus/Advisory Activity

Aviation Safety Assurance

Consensus/Advisory Activity

Airport Passenger Screening: Millimeter Wave Machines

Consensus/Advisory Activity

Airport Passenger Screening: Backscatter X-Ray Machines

Consensus/Advisory Activity

The Effects of Commuting on Pilot Fatigue

Consensus/Advisory Activity

Commercial Aviation Supply Chain Resilience: Meeting of Experts

Meeting of Experts

Federal Aviation Administration Air Traffic Control Staffing Model Improvements: Expert Meetings

Meeting of Experts

Units

Transportation Research Board Executive Office

Oversight Unit

Airport Cooperative Research Program

Oversight Unit

Aeronautics Research and Technology Roundtable

Roundtable/Forum

Aeronautics, Space, and Astronomy Program Area

Oversight Unit

Eagle Nebula (M16 - Messier 16) SHO Palette

TRB Consensus and Advisory Studies Division

Oversight Unit

Center for Advancing Science and Technology (CAST)

Oversight Unit

Aeronautics and Space Engineering Board

Standing Committee

Transportation Research Board (TRB)

Oversight Unit

Cargo train transportation - Freight railway. Used for TRB

Technical Activities Division

Oversight Unit

Board on Human-Systems Integration

Standing Committee

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