New Ideas for Safety

New Ideas for Safety

Spokane International Airport is using current technology in new ways to address safety issues such as low visibility situations and runway incursions. In an interview with GSE Today, Operations Manager, David Crowner explains how safety is improving on the field.

By Michelle Garetson

April 2002

Driver's Enhanced Vision Systems (DEVS) have been around awhile, but in a recent interview with David Crowner, Operations Manager at the

Spokane International Airport in Spokane, WA, he told GSE Today that DEVS can play an important role in the prevention of runway incursions. Crowner and crew at Spokane evaluated solutions offered by various companies, and ultimately decided to install the Airport Vehicle Location system developed by Thales GeoSolutions Inc. Basically, the GPS-based system involves a main backbone unit that Spokane has installed on the airport grounds with several portable units or "bricks" that are placed in the airport vehicles and equipment. The system provides precise positioning and tracking for airside vehicles.

Q: Why did Spokane decide to implement this type of system?
A: It really came as a result of a desire to address the FAA's concerns with regard to runway incursions as well as ARFF (Aircraft Rescue & Firefighting) operations in low visibility. We have quite a bit of low visibility situations in Spokane. We felt that a key element is if we're going to operate in low visibility, we really need to provide the same level of safety that we provide in good visibility and that includes ARFF. The implementation of DEVS equipment has the added benefit of being able to address runway incursions issues.

Q: How were you able to apply FAA fundingto the purchase of this system?
A: This system is grant fundable at any air carrier airport under the DEVS program in support of ARFF. However, we were able to get grant funding for it as a runway incursion project as well. I could have easily gotten a grant as a DEVS plan, but it would have been a grant for only two vehicles, yet we operate under low visibility with our snow removal equipment and our operations vehicles. Given the FAA's concern for runway incursion and the low visibility situations that we have here — it was a great tie-in.

Any airport that is going to take low visibility operations seriously should consider using this type of equipment for the vehicle tracking and runway incursions. I think there's a bigger need in our industry to mitigate the concerns with runway incursions than there is with firefighters getting lost in low visibility. It's true that when a firefighter isn't able to respond to a scene in a timely fashion because they've lost their situational awareness, that certainly has a much bigger impact than a snowplow or something that might inadvertently cross a runway. Unless of course, it hits an aircraft.

Q: Lessons learned so far?
A: Mapping issues. One important item to bring out is that there is a perception that the system costs too much when compared to similar systems. The perception is that why should these systems be so expensive or so time consuming to put in when I can rent a vehicle that's got a moving map and it tells me where I am? The difference for us is that you're asking for a custom system just for your airport and so they've got to build it for your airport — the mapping becomes a big deal. There's also an accuracy issue. The mapping has to be exact, it has to allow a person who is basically blind to maneuver around the airfield with lots of things in the way. It's life safety. It's one thing to tell somebody the next exit is your exit, turn here to being able to meet the Advisory Circular (AC150/5210-19) that is required by the FAA for these types of systems. Another important lesson is that communication is so critical to make sure that all systems' features are adequately explained. From the very beginning, make sure that communication between you and the supplier is clear and to explain your expectations strongly. And, to emphasize that the bid specifications are the controlling document.

Q: What are the benefits of this system?
A: In general, the benefits are better control of the vehicles on the airfield and better situational awareness to the operators of the vehicle that are equipped. Better response times by ARFF equipment because they'll know where they're going — in other words, if you're in the fog and you don't know what's coming around the next bend, you're probably going to go 5mph. But, if you got a means by which to see where you are and you've got confidence in that system, you're going to go faster and get there quicker.
There's two parts to safety. One part is prevention, the other part is action. This system works both ways. Hopefully, it will prevent an incursion or an accident. On the other hand, if there is an accident, it will give the fire crews the confidence they need to operate in low visibility situations.
Operations has benefitted by having a notebook computer in the vehicle, which is required by system. By hooking up to a wireless Internet connection, we'll be able to issue NOTAMs, and gather weather information, and other reports via the Internet. So now, we're looking at being able to not only see the situational awareness of vehicles, now manage severe weather conditions more effectively. GSE

Q: If you could design your own system what would you want?
A: If it were possible, I would integrate the ability to locate aircraft with this system. ATC can see aircraft on radar, but cannot see vehicles, and vehicles equipped with this equipment can only can see other similarly equipped vehicles.
Integrate aircraft and vehicles into both environments. Have it so that my vehicle can see an aircraft taxiing on the ground. We're not there yet, but that would be the dream system.

Resources:

• Spokane International Airport - www.spokaneairports.net
• Thales GeoSolutions Group Ltd.; Compass House, Davis Road; Chessington, Surrey, KT9 1TB UK Tel. +44(0)870 601 0000;
  www.thales-geosolutions.com
• FAA AC-150/5210-19 Driver's Enhanced Vision System (DEVS). Contains performance standards, specifications, and recommendations.
  www.faa.gov/arp/150acs.htm