PORT OF SEATTLE 
MEMORANDUM 
COMMISSION AGENDA             Item No.      5c 
Date of Meeting   February 14, 2012 

DATE:    February 6, 2012 
TO:     Tay Yoshitani, Chief Executive Officer 
FROM:    John Christianson, General Manager Aviation Maintenance 
SUBJECT:  Purchase of a High Pressure Rubber/Paint Removal Truck (C800482) 
Amount of This Request: $600,000     Source of Funds: Airport Development Fund 
Est. State and Local Taxes: $50,000    Est. Construction Jobs Generated: N/A 
Total Project Cost: $600,000 
ACTION REQUESTED:
Request Commission authorization for the Chief Executive Officer to purchase one truck
mounted - high pressure water - rubber and paint removal system for Seattle-Tacoma
International Airport for a total authorization of $600,000. 
SYNOPSIS:
The primary purpose for purchasing this specialized piece of equipment is to enable more timely
and cost effective removal of built up rubber and paint deposits on the Airport's runways,
taxiways, and ramp areas. Procuring this piece of equipment and performing rubber and paint
removal requirements by "in-house" maintenance department forces will enable airfield
pavement maintenance to be accomplished throughout the year in a more timely and regulatory
compliant manner. Using in-house equipment is also more cost-effective than using outside
contractors.
BACKGROUND: 
In a manner authorized by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator, each
certificated airport must maintain and promptly repair the pavement surface of each runway,
taxiway, loading ramp, and parking area on the airport that is available for air carrier use. The
most persistent runway contaminant problem the Airport is required to address multiple times
yearly is deposits of rubber from the tires of landing jet aircraft. Rubber deposits occur in the
touchdown areas on runways and can be quite extensive. Heavy rubber deposits can completely

COMMISSION AGENDA 
Tay Yoshitani, Chief Executive Officer 
February 6, 2012 
Page 2 of 5 
cover the pavement surface texture thereby causing loss of aircraft braking capability and
directional control when runways are wet. Regardless of pavement type or surface treatment,
runway friction characteristics will change over time depending on type and frequency of aircraft
activity, weather, environmental issues, and other factors. In addition to ordinary mechanical
wear and tear from aircraft tires, other contaminants, such as dust particles, jet fuel, oil spillage,
etc. can collect on runway pavement surfaces also causing a decrease in friction properties. 
Monthly friction testing is performed on the runways using the Airport's continuous friction
measuring equipment (CFME) to measure and ensure satisfactory runway coefficient of friction
levels are maintained. When deficient areas are identified, expeditious corrective actions to
improve low friction levels must be taken. Having in-house equipment will enable Airport staff
to immediately correct pavement deficiencies rather than wait for outside contractors to be
scheduled.
Having this piece of equipment also allows for paint removal and surface preparation to be
performed on a year-round as-needed basis. Paint striping visibility is also vital to maintain per
FAA standards and increasingly receives scrutiny during FAA inspections. 
PROJECT JUSTIFICATION: 
The purchase of a rubber and paint removal truck will improve the timeliness and effectiveness
of required rubber and paint removal activities and enables these services to be provided at a
lower cost to our airline business partners.
Project Objectives: Purchase one piece of specialized equipment to accomplish both rubber and
paint removal requirements and reduce the dependence on contractor availability and the need to
contract for these services in the future.
PROJECT SCOPE OF WORK AND SCHEDULE: 
Scope of Work: 
Purchase one truck chassis mounted high pressure water rubber and paint removal system for the 
Airport for a total authorization of $600,000. 
Schedule: 
Commission Authorization                   February 2012 
Specification Development                   February 2012 
Perform Acquisition Planning                  March 2012 
Bid Advertisement                       April 2012 
Receive Bids & Award Contract                June 2012 
Removal Truck Delivered and in Service           November 2012

COMMISSION AGENDA 
Tay Yoshitani, Chief Executive Officer 
February 6, 2012 
Page 3 of 5 
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: 
We spend approximately $170,000 annually for contracted rubber and paint removal services at
the Airport. The procurement of the requrested piece of equipment will enable rubber and paint
removal to be performed on a more frequent basis at a significantly lower cost. An airline rate
base cost analysis identified positive savings beginning in the first year of operation after the
equipment is put into service. This analysis identified savings of approximately $900,000 in the
first 10-year period of operation. 
Budget/Authorization Summary 
Original Budget                                                $600,000 
Previous Authorizations                                                $0 
Current request for authorization                                        $600,000 
Total Authorizations, including this request                                 $600,000 
Remaining budget to be authorized                                       $0 
Total Estimated Project Cost                                        $600,000 
Project Cost Breakdown 
Equipment Purchase                                          $550,000
State & Local Taxes (estimated)                                       $50,000 
Total                                                           $600,000 
Budget Status and Source of Funds: 
This project is included in the 2012-2016 capital budget and plan of finance as a business plan
prospective project within CIP #C800482. The funding source will be the Airport Development
Fund. 
Financial Analysis and Summary: 
CIP Category                   Compliance 
Project Type                    Regulatory 
Risk adjusted Discount rate           7.0% 
Key risk factors                   N/A 
Project cost for analysis               $600,000 
Business Unit (BU)                 Airfield 
Effect on business performance         Operating costs will decrease by a net of $150,000
per year, annual capital costs will increase by
$82,000 per year, resulting in a net decrease in annual
costs and thus airfield revenues. 
IRR/NPV                  NPV >$500,000 
CPE Impact                  Will result in annual savings of less than $.01 per
year.

COMMISSION AGENDA 
Tay Yoshitani, Chief Executive Officer 
February 6, 2012 
Page 4 of 5 
Lifecycle Cost and Savings:
Cost savings will be realized beginning in the first year of operation with this new piece of
equipment. The purchase of the requested piece of equipment would eliminate two existing
maintenance contracts (rubber and paint removal) and the associated expenses required for
continually establishing, advertising, bidding, and managing these contracts. Annual operation
and maintenance costs are estimated at $20,000 with a projected 3% increase each year. These
O&M costs are primarily associated with additional mechanic man-hours and necessary
parts/materials required for the on-going maintenance and repair of the unit.
ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY: 
The new piece of equipment allows for more timely and effective removal operations and uses
only high pressure water for removing rubber and paint deposits. The newer rubber and paint
removal equipment models create less noise pollution, which is safer for the crew. The truck has
the capability to recycle water that it uses in the removal process and will be equipped with a full
recovery system for all waste materials that will be captured during removal operations. 
Use of Alternative Fuel Powered Vehicle: 
Equipment purchased will meet U.S. Environmental Protection Agency fuel efficiency standards.
The new unit would be equipped with either a compressed natural gas (CNG) or Clean-Diesel
power plant in support of the Port's green initiative. 
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES:
This project supports the Port-wide strategic objectives of Ensuring Airport and Seaport Vitality
and Exhibit Environmental Stewardship through our Actions.
BUSINESS PLAN OBJECTIVES: 
The primary Airport business plan objective supported by this request is to: Reduce airline costs
(CPE) as far as possible without compromising operational and capital needs. This project also
supports the Airport's strategic goal and objective to operate a world-class international airport
by "ensuring safe and secure operations". The purchase of a rubber/paint removal truck will
improve the timelines and cost effectiveness of regulatory required rubber and paint removal on
the Airport's pavement surfaces.
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED AND THEIR IMPLICATIONS:
Alternative 1: Do nothing and continue to contract out work. Current annual budgeted amount
for rubber and paint removal is $170,000. This alternative is not the preferred action because: 
a)  Contracted services are not as cost effective as buying the requested piece of equipment
and performing the work with in-house maintenance staff.

COMMISSION AGENDA 
Tay Yoshitani, Chief Executive Officer 
February 6, 2012 
Page 5 of 5 

b)  The limitations of contractor availability. When removal is required, scheduling is
typically around the contractor's availability versus the immediate need. This is not the
recommended alternative as it can leave the Airport vulnerable to unsafe conditions when
runway markings are not clearly visible and contaminated by rubber build-up. 
c)  Rubber and paint removal activities are limited to the budgeted contract amount which
often is established prior to an annual competitive bid process. This limits flexibility in
cases where more removal areas may be identified than budget or contract can absorb. 
ALTERNATIVE 2: Purchase a high pressure water rubber/paint removal unit that will lower
overall costs, improve effectiveness, enhance safe operations, and enable the Airport to control
when and where to perform rubber and paint removal activities throughout the year. This is the
preferred alternative. 
OTHER DOCUMENTS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS REQUEST: 
None 
PREVIOUS COMMISSION ACTION: 
None