TRB provides information resources to the worldwide transportation community. The organization's services include information exchange on current transportation research and practice, management of research projects and analysis of transportation-related policy. 

"The TRB needed to find a software firm that not only develops innovative technology solutions, but understands the aviation industry," said Mike Salamone, program manager for the Airport Cooperative Research Program. "Amadeus Consulting's team has a well-rounded background in aviation data, so will understand the needs of our user base and develop an information portal specific to our audience."

Amadeus Consulting will develop a Web-based tool for TRB with an information portal and centralized database for airports to input key data about performance indicators, like valuation of warehouse inventory, airport hangar rental costs, accounts receivables and concession revenues. Airports will be able to use the metrics to compare their performance against similar facilities, and ultimately provide benchmark metrics for the aviation industry overall. The system will offer a single data-entry point for users and track everything from accounts receivable and payable to concession revenue per passenger.

Amadeus Consulting plans to manage the project in two phases. The first phase will cover research and planning activities that will include:

• Analyzing and evaluating data sets from past aviation studies
• Performing a needs assessment workshop to analyze and evaluate the diverse sets of data sources available
• Conducting a usability study on how users will interact with the system in order to develop a functional graphical user interface
• Documenting the technical requirements of the application

"Amadeus Consulting believes research and planning is just as important to a successful technology roll-out as the development and implementation phase," said Steve Loper, principle investigator of the project and Amadeus Consulting's senior quality engineer. "Our team will itemize the sequence of steps and budget necessary to build, implement and sustain TRB's Web application. The plan will include those steps necessary to ensure a timely implementation within the project's allotted resources."

The project's second phase to develop and implement the system is slated to begin after September 9, 2011. Amadeus Consulting estimates that development and support will continue through mid-spring of 2013.