Geospatial data supports nearly every aspect of airport operations and planning. Without a clear governance policy to guide how that data is collected, updated, and maintained, airports risk inconsistent or ineffective data management. TRB hosted a webinar on Thursday, November 20, 2025 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM Eastern that provided guidance to airports on how to create geospatial data governance policies and procedures. Presenters addressed the life cycle of data, including development, maintenance, appropriate access and use, security, and archiving or disposal of legacy and new geospatial data.
This webinar was based on ACRP Research Report 278: Geospatial Data Governance Policies and Procedures: A Guide.
This webinar was sponsored by TRB’s Airport Cooperative Research Program.
The slides are available. 
 
Webinar agenda and presenters

• Recognizing the elements of effective data governance – Eric Risner, Woolpert
• Tools for success: Building a geospatial data governance roadmap – Thomas Tiner, Arora Engineers
• Question and answer session moderated by Mark Ricketson, Massachusetts Port Authority

The first 40 minutes of the webinar were for presentations and the final 20 minutes were reserved for audience questions.
 
Learning Objectives
At the end of this webinar, participants can:

• Understand tactics and strategies that can help airports adopt geospatial policies and procedures
• Identify the benefits and opportunities of data governance
• Establish metrics and benchmark its data governance against other organizations

 
American Institute of Certified Planners Certification Maintenance Credits
This webinar was approved by the American Planning Association (APA) for 1 Certification Maintenance (CM) Credit. CM credits provide continuing education opportunities for AICP Certified Planners to continue their professional skills and knowledge. To receive CM credits, Certified Planners should visit the TRB event webpage on American Planning Association and register their participation. If you have problems reporting your CM credits or have general questions about the CM program, please contact the APA. 
Continuing Education Units for Accredited Airport Executives
The American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) provided 1 Continuing Education Units (CEU) to accredited airport executives who attended this webinar. Claim CEUs by visiting www.aaae.org/ceu. For questions about AAAE continuing education units, please contact accreditation@aaae.org.