As the world endeavors to get back to work – and some semblance of normalcy – in the face of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, airports present a particularly challenging environment when it comes to protecting staff. Airport workers walk daily into a space of pronounced risk for virus transmission every time they report to work, exposing themselves for long periods of time to countless risks of contagion from passengers and flight crews arriving from far flung locations all around the world. Security personnel in particular face potential exposure constantly throughout their shifts. Travelers, of course, also are at risk.
As recently reported here in AviationPros, the IATA recently published Biosecurity for Air Transport: A Roadmap for Restarting Aviation, outlining its proposal for a layering of temporary biosecurity measures aimed to instill confidence in governments and travelers that it’s safe to travel again. Soon thereafter, the Airports Council International (ACI) World published comprehensive guidance for airports as they prepare to restart operations and held a webinar focused on worker safety specifically. Both organizations have provided sound guidance and specific, tactical recommendations for protecting workers, from physical distancing best practices to masks for all staff to re-designed gate areas and luggage handling protocols, to name just a few.
What’s missing in the discussion is a more specific focus on how to best use technology to ensure not just compliance with these various protocols, but also to enable fast, efficient and effective mitigation responses, in real-time, when protocols are breached or compromised and airport workers face increased risk. Similar to the lasting changes implemented in security checks post-9/11, airports will need to implement changes for the long-term to protect workers not only against COVID-19, but against future crises as well. This pandemic will not be the last, and airports will have to rely upon technology – working in tandem with human responders – to help lessen the impact.
The good news is that several next-generation technologies are emerging to help airports (and businesses more broadly) detect and contain potential workplace safety problems. These technologies, which are used to monitor people and assets in real time, include “Internet of Things” (IoT) sensors, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and edge computing. Edge computing is critical, as it allows data to be processed outside of data centers, at the “edge” of the Internet. That means data can be processed not just faster, but literally in real-time.
Previous generations of technology required storing data in a database for subsequent analysis – minutes, hours, even weeks after an event happened. But airports cannot afford any delays, so the ability for systems to detect a problem and immediately initiate mitigation protocols is a game changer. For instance, if you detect someone with COVID symptoms, you need to know that NOW, not after the person has moved throughout the airport or boarded a plane.
Here are some of the most recent and promising technologies that airports should be evaluating in order to protect their workers (as well as the travelers they serve).
Symptom Detection: New temperature sensing technologies can identify travelers or workers likely to be infected. Other technologies can check for symptoms such as coughing or sneezing. If an infection is suspected, a system can alert airport operations staff and initiate a workflow to isolate the individual and determine the appropriate course of action.
Physical Distancing: The CDC has urged the public to maintain six feet of separation – but not everyone is heeding the CDC caution. This is where technology steps in. Software connected to cameras can locate travelers who are ignoring physical distancing and notify airport staff of their need to facilitate appropriate distancing. In addition, if the number of people in a fixed location exceeds a threshold number for a predetermined period of time, airport operations personnel in the area can be notified to address the problem.
Contact Tracing: Health experts have stated that contact tracing is critical to minimize the spread of the virus. The idea is to monitor individuals and keep track of anyone they have come in contact with. This data can subsequently be used. All individuals that an infected person came in contact with over a predefined period of time can be alerted and potential disease spread can be mitigated.
Access Management: Medical experts say that early implementation of isolation (quarantine) can help control the spread of coronavirus. Airports can deploy quarantine management applications that monitor travelers who may have been exposed to the virus or show signs of being symptomatic and ensure that they are isolated. Technology can be used to block such individuals from entry into new areas and alert airport managers to disinfect impacted areas.
Safety Compliance: The proper use of masks and protective equipment is required to create a safer environment. Technologies such as automated mask detection that detect potential violators are vital for implementing back to work policies.
Asset Monitoring: There are physical assets in airport environments that need to be monitored and managed to support workplace safety and hygiene. Real-time data from cameras and sensors can be used to determine the state of cleanliness of shared resources. AI-enabled cameras can detect recently used equipment – anything from a piece of heavy machinery to a coffee machine in an airport lounge – that may need to be disinfected. Sensors in a hand-sanitizing station can alert maintenance when the level is low.
The COVID-19 contagion will continue to force airports to adapt until there are effective therapeutics or a vaccine. Fortunately, talented technologists around the world are helping the industry adapt by creating applications like those described above. These technologies can and will be integrated together in various ways, developing sophisticated real-time systems to help airport staff manage workplace safety. With these systems in place, airports will have the confidence they need to make sure it’s safe to get people back on airplanes while protecting airport staff as they go about their jobs.
Marty Sprinzen is a visionary leader and software entrepreneur whose teams have delivered important innovations in distributed systems, relational databases and Internet application development. He is co-founder and CEO of VANTIQ Corporation, which builds real-time applications for smart cities, smart buildings, workplace safety and environmental management. The company recently introduced a Back-to-Work Accelerator to safeguard offices, factories, airports, retail and healthcare facilities against COVID-19. Prior to VANTIQ, Sprinzen was CEO and co-founder of Forte Software, which was acquired by Sun Microsystems in 1999. Sprinzen is also an accomplished jet pilot.
Daniel Pham is the Senior Sales Director of Northern Europe, VANTIQ. Daniel has 24+ years of experience in enterprise software including running strategic alliances for leaders in the business technology industry. At VANTIQ, Daniel has built a growing ecosystem of technology partners to bring advanced real-time solutions to the global airport and airlines industries.
