Airport Overview

The airport surface is the key shared resource where all stakeholder responsibilities converge – coordination and management is critical for efficiency, security and safety. The systems used for coordination and situational awareness are also typically siloed; security tends to rely on Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) based systems, ATC on Airport Surface Detection Equipment (ASDE) or Advanced-Surface Movement Guidance and Control Systems (A-SMGCS).

The evolution of Intelligent Video (aka computer vision) systems allows for the integration of security CCTV with ATM Systems, resulting in improved situational awareness and security for both groups. Intelligent video creates a common platform that allows for the sharing of information to create a Collaborative Surface Management (CSM) system that:

  • Fully leverages the investment in existing infrastructure; maximizing system benefits while minimizing costs.
  • Directly improves security and can lead to increased airport capacity.
  • Improves safety.
  • Creates a common surface management system can be shared with airlines, emergency services, planner, ground operations, environmental management and related stakeholders as part of a wider Collaborative Decision Making (CDM) process.

 

Specifically for Airports, a CSM system offers:

  • Improved security by integrating various ATC and camera systems together for an comprehensive airport surveillance picture
  • Improved safety: ability to 'see' and record all areas of the surface (wildlife control, foreign object and debris detection)
  • Increased airport efficiency with better gate management/allocation
  • Increased revenue: more efficient 'pay per use' billing
  • Improved efficiency/safety: runway light automation