AND TRANSPORTATION APPLICATIONS

We are living in a time of great change, most of which is occurring nearly imperceptibly through the adaptation of emerging technologies. Much of the obvious change is apparent in the enhancement of the quality of life in the developed nations (United States, Europe, and Asia) while also contributing to the growth and advancement of developing nations. These changes and emerging technologies fall into several categories: communications, the environment, supply chain logistics, and global business and markets.

Communications

Communications technology is rapidly changing how we interact globally, including the advent of the Internet and access to information once closely guarded. For example, booking air travel was the once domain of the airline and the travel agent. Now, the traveler can shop directly for this product from a personal computer in their home or office.

Global communications may have the effect of reducing demand for some industry segments and discretionary business air travel but leisure travel and other markets will continue to thrive. Much like the unrealized promise that computers will bring us a paperless society, inhibited global communications may act to stimulate more travel demand across all sectors.

Environment

The emerging global awareness of the environmental consequences of increasing use of nonrenewable natural resources, especially oil, will ultimately force a global response. The increasing energy consumption and transportation needs of people and goods will require technology to provide more efficient transportation means. Improving the fuel efficiencies of existing systems is another trend that will prove to be the easiest and least intrusive method for reducing fuel consumption. With improved performance, hybrid automobiles are becoming more socially acceptable and common. Boeing is developing the 787 with composite construction

contributing to a lighter airframe, winglets, and improved turbine engine performance. Recognizing the energy efficiencies, almost every airline (domestic and international) in business today has ordered the 787 for their fleet.

Development of engines that burn alternative “clean” fuels will also be a fundamental change for global transportation. While ethanol and methanol additives are currently added to some existing gasoline supplies, other “bio-fuels” are under development that have the potential of promising better fuel efficiency produced from renewable resources and ultimately, inexpensively available. These new engine fuels and technologies will likely impact general aviation in the region.

Supply chain logistics

A truly global economy demands a strong supply chain infrastructure. While the traditional transportation modes (rail, truck, and air) are in place, improvements to the reliability, accessibility and the cost of providing an integrated, international and intermodal transportation system are necessary. Many nations are developing their supply chain infrastructure as global ports of trade with a variety of transportation modes available for moving raw materials and finished goods through the system efficiently and inexpensively. Plans for automation of import customs and the reduction/elimination of trade barriers provide further economies of scale to make the process even more efficient and improve the competitiveness of the each partner in the global marketplace.

These considerations will be especially important to North Central Texas as the nation’s largest inland port. The convergence of rail, highways, and aviation facilities allows international connections for businesses interested in locating in the region.

Global business & markets

As global trade expands, multinational conglomerates will continue to develop and expand as well. International business with capital for development will continue to coming from “off-shore” source and ownership by foreign interests will become more widespread. Critical and strategic products and resources may continue to be protected by domestic restrictions in the global marketplace but as alternate sources are identified and developed and trusted, even these restrictions may be lifted.

Regional General Aviation and Heliport System Plan Section III Foundations for Viewing the Future - Page 3

Profit distribution and other balance of international trade issues may force some businesses and their native countries to become even more competitive in order to protect their own economies. However, in a global macro economy, even the wealthiest of nations will have to recognize that they have a stake in the success of even the poorest of trade partners. In particular, having a highly integrated multinational workforce will allow many global conglomerates to enjoy the productive from inexpensive labor for manufacturing in one nation, the technical efficiencies of another nation and the marketing, sales and intellectual capital of yet another.

The evolution of air travel between the DFW Region and the world has made the DFW airport a center for global links within the NCTCOG region. As general aviation and corporate air traffic progresses in the region, these global linkages will expand into more of the region’s airport communities.

Global economy as the foundation for international commerce & travel The global economy is here and has already changed many of the former trade practices. International businesses are openly and freely investing in the development of manufacturing plants, raw materials resources and the workforce. The automobile industry is a prime example of these practices as many “foreign” automobile manufacturers are opening up plants in the United States. Many automobiles “made in the USA” today are really just assembled in the country with parts manufactured all over the world. Airbus Industries, for example, uses over 1,500 component manufacturers from 30 different countries to construct the A-380.

With international trade comes international travel. If international air travel is viewed as the last frontier for low cost carriers, making international air travel inexpensive, much like how deregulating telecommunications has reduced the cost of international telephone calls will be the “next big thing”. In addition, the removal or reduction of travel barriers similar to the practice now in the European Union will only serve to make international travel more accessible to more people and as a result increase demand and encourage more airlines to serve international markets.

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