BACKGROUND
Recent advances in automated driving technology have captured the imagination of our society through improvements in safety, ease and accessibility of transportation, and efficiency. Though these technologies offer significant benefits in the future, many advanced ground vehicle technologies (AGVT) implemented on roadways have not yet been applied to airside operations. AGVT airside operations may include driver assistance and automatic collision avoidance, connected vehicle applications, and driving automation.
The benefits of AGVT center on increased safety, efficiency, security, service, and reduced costs. As AGVT technology improves, the opportunity to enhance existing operations will emerge, as will new applications. A current example has been the deployment of automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) data to provide airside situational awareness. These capabilities can be enhanced with geo-fencing to trigger driver notifications or automatic braking for runway incursion avoidance.
Limited research has been done in the area of AGVT for airport applications or how airports can begin to prepare for their integration.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this research was to prepare a report that identifies and evaluates advanced ground vehicle technology applications for airside operations at airports. After an initial feasibility assessment, it is expected that some of the potential applications will go through a more detailed evaluation that considers the following factors at a minimum:
- Ease of adoption.
- Technological feasibility.
- Stakeholder acceptance.
- Potential benefits.
- Infrastructure and operational impacts.
- Human factors considerations.
