Assessment of Establishing an NDOT Aeronautics Division and Identification of Sustainable Funding Mechanisms
The Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) current aviation program provides an important foundation through statewide aviation planning, airport system coordination, safety inspections, and administration of the Nevada State Airport System Plan. At the same time, many aviation and aerospace-related responsibilities are distributed across multiple organizations, including NDOT, the Nevada Governor's Office of Economic Development (GOED), federal agencies, airport authorities, and local governments. This distributed structure reflects Nevada’s historical approach to aviation and aerospace development. NDOT has primarily supported planning, inspections, and coordination, while GOED has historically administered air service development activities, supported airline recruitment, coordinated route development initiatives, and advanced aviation and aerospace-related economic development. As aviation technologies, rural airport needs, military operations, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) testing, and advanced air mobility (AAM) opportunities continue to evolve, Nevada must determine how these responsibilities should be organized, coordinated, funded, and implemented to support statewide transportation and economic development objectives. A key question facing Nevada is how aviation and aerospace responsibilities should be organized among NDOT, GOED, federal agencies, airport authorities, local governments, and other stakeholders to best support the state’s transportation, economic development, innovation, and long-term aviation objectives. Effective statewide aviation programs require clear governance structures, defined authority boundaries, reliable coordination mechanisms, sustainable funding, and organizational capacity. These elements have not yet been comprehensively evaluated within Nevada’s current institutional, statutory, and funding environment. OBJECTIVE: The primary objective of this project is to provide NDOT with a comprehensive, evidence-based assessment of organizational, operational, governance, and funding approaches that can support Nevada's current and future aviation responsibilities. The assessment will evaluate a range of implementation options, including the potential establishment of an Aeronautics Division, while identifying sustainable funding strategies and practical pathways for long-term aviation, UAS, and emerging aviation program development. The research will equip NDOT leadership and policymakers with actionable information needed to evaluate organizational, operational, financial, and governance considerations associated with assuming expanded aeronautics responsibilities within the state of Nevada.
Language
- English
Project
- Status: Active
- Funding: $311,022.00
-
Contract Numbers:
260-26-803
-
Sponsor Organizations:
Nevada Department of Transportation
1263 South Stewart Street
Carson City, NV United States 89712 -
Managing Organizations:
1263 South Stewart St
Carson City, Nevada United States 89712 -
Project Managers:
Ashby, Natasha
Beck, Bill
Ison, Mitch
-
Performing Organizations:
500 Damonte Ranch Pkwy
#980
Reno, Nevada United States 89521 -
Principal Investigators:
Schneider, Paul
- Start Date: 20260728
- Expected Completion Date: 20270630
- Actual Completion Date: 0
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Air transportation policy; Airports; Aviation; Financing; Transportation planning
- Identifier Terms: Nevada Department of Transportation
- Geographic Terms: Nevada
- Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Aviation; Finance; Terminals and Facilities;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 01997625
- Record Type: Research project
- Source Agency: Nevada Department of Transportation
- Contract Numbers: 260-26-803
- Files: RIP, STATEDOT
- Created Date: Jul 30 2026 12:30PM