This is how a sustainable ATC tower looks
The US Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) has launched a new design for a sustainable air traffic control (ATC) tower. The design is to be implemented in a number of municipal and smaller airports across the USA, as a replacement for aging ATC towers. The new towers will feature recycled steel and ground-source heating and cooling.
The FAA is seeking public comment on the potential environmental impact of its plan to replace 31 aging air traffic control towers at airports across the country. Construction of the first sustainable ATC tower is scheduled to begin in 2024.
Image by FAA
Beyond utilizing recycled steel and geothermal heating and cooling, the new ATC towers incorporate key sustainability elements, such as all-electric building systems, materials and products free from chemicals known to pose health risks, a thermally efficient façade, high-recycled steel and metal products, renewable mass timber, when usable, ground-source heating and cooling in some environments.
