Airside operations are inherently complex and high-risk environments. Operatives from all areas face an array of hazards on a day-to-day basis and this is before you factor in the weather and working at night. By their nature, aprons, taxiways and runways are areas where even minor lapses can lead to major incidents. Airside safety is the foundation of efficient airport operations. Creating and maintaining a robust safety culture involves ongoing vigilance, learning from incidents and implementing continuous improvement of procedures and training.
Prioritising work zone safety, therefore, is not only a regulatory requirement but essential to safeguarding lives and ensuring the smooth functioning of the airport. The protection of life and assets is the primary directive at all airports. Operatives are exposed to risks from jet engines, propellers, moving vehicles, and heavy equipment. Robust safety measures, including clearly marked work areas, regular training, personal protective equipment (PPE) and control of Foreign Object Debris (FOD) are mandated for anyone operating in these sensitive zones.
Incidents and accidents airside not only endanger lives but can cause costly delays and disruption to airport operations. It’s imperative that safe work practices are followed to maintain the flow of both aircraft and ground operations, thereby preventing cascading effects of a single incident.
Work zone safety airside is a shared responsibility and a non-negotiable priority at airports. For every operative, strictly following safety measures and protocols isn’t just about regulatory compliance, it’s about protecting lives, maintaining operational excellence, and upholding the reputation and reliability of the airport.
Just like the advancements in aircraft design and efficiency, there’s been significant development in airside work-zone safety. For years, airports have relied on cones, radios, marshals and good habits. Of course, these still play a major role, particularly at less busy airports, but the advent of cutting-edge technology is reshaping this environment.
Here’s just a few examples of how airside operations are evolving to make it safer and more efficient, as airports get busier:
Smart work zones
Traditionally, the use of paint, cones and briefings (NOTAMS) have defined airside boundaries. The introduction of geo-fencing and polygonal mapping technology enables the creation of dynamic ‘invisible fences’ which are monitored and updated in real-time on airport operatives’ smart devices.
The introduction of self-reporting cones, using Ultra-Wideband (UWB) tags, send out an alert if they’ve been knocked, moved or blown by jet efflux, negating the need for constant vehicle patrols, which has a safety and sustainability benefit.
Precision tracking
Excavators, sweepers, escorts and other airside vehicles can be fitted with high-precision Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) GNSS and Ultra-Wideband (UWB) positioning systems. Where RTK GNSS provides absolute global co-ordinates, UWB is focused on local, real-time movement tracking with ultra-low latency, which makes the two technologies highly complementary. Some systems can automatically derate vehicle speed near critical areas (ILS sensitive zones, taxiway centrelines, stand safety lines etc).
Wearable tech
Lightweight tags in helmets or high-viz clothing featuring in-built trigger alerts with vibrations and audible warnings.
Digital situational awareness
An SMGCS (Surface Movement Guidance and Control System) is a crucial part of airport safety systems that help controllers prevent potential collisions and incursions on the runway and taxiways. Much like aircraft TCAS (Traffic and Collision Avoidance System) this is designed to proactively identify situations where aircraft or vehicles might be on a conflicting path, giving controllers timely warnings to take corrective action. Some airports already equip high-risk works vehicles with low-power transponders or reflective tags, so they appear on the tower’s picture and A-SMGCS conflict alerts.
With the advancement of AI, improvements in object detection are being phased in, to protect people and hard targets, in particular aircraft wingtips, engines and tail empennage. This can include visual exclusion zones in cab displays to warn the driver, as well as a “no reverse” lockout, which prevents vehicle movement unless the system sees a clear corridor.
Real-time FOD control
Mobile FOD radars/cameras mounted on escort vehicles sweep ahead of convoys, tagging debris to GPS so teams can recover FOD without closing the area. Computer vision classifies rubber versus metallic FOD, helping maintenance to plan rubber removal cycles better, rather than guessing by smell and skid marks on the tarmac.
Safer GSE
As one of the world’s leading manufacturers of ground support equipment, used at both civilian airports and military airfields around the globe, Newbow’s bespoke aircraft wheel and brake change trailers are designed and manufactured to support safe and effective wheel and brake change operations.
These large capacity trailers support any aircraft where multiple wheels, brakes, axle-jacks and tooling are required. Trailers can accommodate a payload of up to approximately 1600 KGs and are accessed from the side and rear via aluminium spring balanced ramp doors with a minimal gradient. This enables one operative to easily load and off-load the contents.
Newbow’s unique trailers are also equipped with an over-ride braking system which automatically brakes the trailer whilst under tow, allowing for safe transport when towing large payloads. Independent rear suspension arms provide shock absorption, which is also height adjustable.
By utilising a single rear axle (2 wheels), Newbow trailers allow a single person to manoeuvre and position them easily, unlike other large trailers in the GSE market which have a double rear axle (4 wheels).
Key benefits include:
• Single operative use
• Easy manoeuvrability
• Fast access rear door with minimal gradient ramp
• Integrated towing arm with lift and lock parking brake
• Over-ride automatic braking system
• BSEN, P.E.D & CE compliant (where applicable)
• Gas bottle storage and regulator system
• Foam filled, puncture-resistant tyres
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