Novel Surveillance Technologies for Airport Ramp Area Operations
Project Description
The objective of the current research is to develop the concept, algorithms and software necessary for enabling a novel surveillance system for airports ramp areas. The proposed technology can overcome the deficiencies of some of current-day surveillance systems especially in the ramp area. It is expected to aid in both Safety and Efficiency improvements in ramp area operations. Phase I research developed the concept and requirements and demonstrated the core algorithms of technology. Using a 1:400 scale realistic airport ramp area model the following features were demonstrated: (i) detection of aircraft in the ramp area and (iii) 3D localization of aircraft 3D inertial frame of reference to an accuracy of 40 ft. Phase II research seeks to refine and extend the detection algorithms to include ground vehicles; identify aircraft type; and even determine the orientation of the aircraft. The localization algorithms will be extended to decipher the 3D geometry of the aircraft. Data fusion algorithms will be developed to track aircraft as they move through the ramp area. A significant portion of Phase II research involves development of the complete software and testing it using realistic airport data.
More »Anticipated Benefits
The proposed technology has an immediate application to NASA's Air-Traffic Management research. It is expected to help the Safe and Efficient Surface Operations research group at NASA identify the following ramp area operational information: (i) identify pushback characteristics of different aircraft types from different gates, (ii) identify sequence and time taken for events such fueling and catering, (iii) identify paths from different gates to the ramp spots, and (iv) estimate transit-time statistics for an aircraft to move from the gate to the ramp spot. In a real-time mode it can enable ramp operational planners by detecting the following events: (i) arrival of an aircraft at the gate, (ii) fueling, catering, & baggage loading, (iii) pushback from gate, and (iv) time at which the aircraft starts taxiing after pushback. The algorithms associated with this technology can also update in real-time the expected time-of-arrival and sequence of arrival at different ramp spots.
The primary commercial application of proposed technology is in low cost surveillance systems for airports. CVAROS is being developed to enable surveillance systems for airports, especially, ramp areas. The FAA has solicited proposals for a low cost ground based surveillance system suitable for smaller airports that cannot afford ASDE-X. The proposed technology is an ideal fit for this category. Ramp areas in US airports are typically controlled by airlines. Industry experts estimate the airlines' cost resulting from ramp area accidents at $4 billion to $5 billion internationally each year. The surveillance technology developed under the current research can be used to enable safety monitoring systems that would mitigate the above costs to the airlines.
Primary U.S. Work Locations and Key Partners
| Organizations Performing Work | Role | Type | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Optimal Synthesis, Inc. | Lead Organization |
Industry
Minority-Owned Business,
Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB)
|
Los Altos, California |
Ames Research Center
(ARC)
|
Supporting Organization | NASA Center | Moffett Field, California |
Primary U.S. Work Locations
-
California
