Author Archives: ProDIGIQ

Airside and Safety Automation: Planning for Sustainability

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Through the Airport Carbon Accreditation program, 133 European Airports have taken on the challenge to reduce their airport’s carbon footprint.  The program has set ambitious goals and is currently working towards 67 of its member airports to reach carbon neutrality by 2030. While a portion of European Airports have met their goals, the majority of program members will need to find innovative and cost-effective solutions to help them meet their objectives.

In today’s day and age, the new world of technology provides a plethora of innovative solutions which enable airports to meet mission-critical objectives. Increased productivity, streamlining business processes, reducing costs, enhanced communications, increased operational insights are all major benefits of technology, but a major benefit that is sometimes overlooked is increased sustainability.

European airports looking to improve their airport’s sustainability efforts can begin by further enhancing their most critical operations by utilizing software. Software is an ideal solution to improving sustainability in that it is a solution that pays for itself.  European airports that have tight budgets can invest in software knowing that by eliminating process deficiencies and increasing productivity, the cost savings will ensure a complete ROI. Critical areas which can greatly impact airport sustainability when automated include airside operations, safety management, and resource management. In addition to increasing sustainability, automating these processes can also increase airport safety and enhance operational efficiencies.

Documentation and tracking of information relating to airside operations has traditionally been very paper intensive. Automation of these processes can reduce an airport’s carbon footprint by drastically reducing paper usage. Research shows that airports can reduce paper printing and consumption by up to 50 percent by automating the majority of airside operations processes alone. This helps airports achieve quantifiable and measurable success in becoming eco-friendly.

Safety management operations are also very paper intensive. From safety reports to submission of investigative findings, tracking of safety data can consume a tremendous amount of paper.  In providing a digital platform to submit and archive this information, it will help to further reduce paper usage at airports.

The use of resource management software is also an excellent way to reduce carbon emissions. Resource management software allows airports to optimize their gate and resource assignments to maximize the use of the airport’s current infrastructure. By optimizing these processes, the system would decrease time aircraft spend taxiing to a gate, thus reducing jet fuel usage. According to a recent study, it is estimated that around 18 million tons of CO2 are emitted annually during aircraft taxiing operations and, for Heathrow Airport, aircraft taxiing contributes to 30% of the airport’s total CO2 emissions. In addition to improving sustainability, resource management software can also help to improve other critical airport priorities including customer satisfaction, due to decreased aircraft congestion, and reduction of labor costs.

In conclusion, implementation of airside operations, safety management, and resource management software is an innovative way to help make airports “green”. Software implementation in these areas provides a multidimensional solution that provides various benefits which can help European Airports meet their sustainability goals.

 

Works Cited

Surgenor, Christopher. “Early promise of green aircraft taxiing solutions has yet to materialize although progress on regulatory approvals.” Green Air, Green Air Communications, February 24, 2017

https://www.greenaironline.com/news.php?viewStory=2342

 

Koumelis, Theodore. “Europe’s airport industry commits to set new vision of sustainability.” Travel Daily News, Travel Daily News, June 20, 2018

https://www.traveldailynews.com/post/europes-airport-industry-commits-to-set-new-vision-of-sustainability

 

 

 

GIS Now And Into The Future

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Geographic Information Systems (GIS) capture, store, manipulate, analyze, manage, and present spatial or geographic data. This evolving technology has been adapting into the airport space since the FAA launched the Airports GIS program in 2009 for the gathering and storage of airport data. This put the spotlight on GIS as an available data tracking platform to improve how airports currently store and manage various data sets for a range of reasons.

GIS has many benefits with present technology and will continue to become even more valuable with future advancements. Investing in GIS is critical to optimizing an airport’s operational processes and in doing so now will not only improve current procedures but also set an airport up for success in the future.

GIS allows airports to improve a range of processes including asset tracking, lease management, maintenance management, and everyday operations. GIS provides a unique way for airports to map/visualize any important assets as well as visualize airport properties.

GIS is extremely helpful for airports due to the “drill down” capabilities. Not only are you able to map and visualize assets and properties using GIS, but the added benefit is associating helpful data which provides insights into the particular property/asset. With a single click, one could pull up information such as:

  • Lease records regarding a specific plot.
  • Manuals and maintenance records associated with a particular asset.
  • Current inventory of specific parts associated with an asset.

Currently, GIS is an incredibly useful tool for an airport’s operations and, with future improvements, will be even more critical to further enhancing an airport’s operational efficiencies. Aniruddha Banerjee, Ph.D., an expert in GIS technology, explains that advances in predictive digital mapping will help to provide more in-depth operational insights than is currently possible. This technology could potentially analyze GIS data to identify and notify airport stakeholders of problem areas/assets at airports. For example, if an asset needed to be continuously replaced, in a non-random fashion, GIS would be able to identify that there may be underlying issues that are causing this issue and then notify airport personnel of the problem.

Another prospective innovation of GIS is its simulation/modeling capabilities, otherwise known as Simulation GIS.  Advances in Simulation GIS will allow for more accurate modeling of various airport specific scenarios. One relevant example would be the modeling of air or ground transport systems. With the potential for mass drone usage at airports, airports will have to prepare for new safety concerns regarding organizing operations for not only manned but unmanned aircraft. Specific safety scenarios through Simulation GIS will be more easily predicted and will assist with informed decision making and strategizing.

When put into action, Simulation GIS can assist an airport in implementing new and improved policies/procedures, an example being the decision on what wind speed should trigger a no-fly zone aided by simulating different wind speed scenarios with Simulation GIS. This technology can also be used for optimizing of ground transport to maximize resource usage, like finding the most efficient routes for taxiing aircraft to their gates.

Additionally, the advancement of light detection and ranging technology, also known as LIDAR, will help provide an accurate 3D measurement of factors that can become part of GIS maps.  Many studies, like the LIDAR Deployment for Airport Obstruction Survey from 2010, have shown that using LIDAR technology to map trees allows an airport to accurately plan maintenance, such as tree trimming, using growth simulations. Adding trees, fences, new construction, etc. can allow an airport to have a precise look at every part of the airports’ dynamics.

Utilization of GIS maps supports airport procedures in a variety of ways. Being able to associate data to specific layers and future improvements in predictive mapping and simulation add a resource that increases not only an airports efficiency but also reduces cost. Utilizing GIS is not just critical for present-day functions, but it is essential for future productivity.

The Significance of Social Media and Sharing

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Social Media applications (apps) have taken the world by storm, working their way into many aspects of modern life. People take their phones everywhere with them and document their life – travel experiences especially – so airports should ensure it’s easy for passengers to share enjoyable travel experiences.

Many websites now have buttons to share links straight to the user’s social media account, and some companies advertise their products directly through a company page. But now there’s an even better way for airports to utilize social media.

Snapchat recently released sponsored filters by General Electric. These filters only appear when at a certain location, and 50 major airports across the U.S. have special filters for users to utilize. When at JFK, for example, a user can choose to take a “snap” with an overlay of the name of the airport and their flight plans, sharing the experience with their friends and family through this filter.

This is an interesting application of a social media app working hand-in-hand with a company to advertise in a new and novel way, but this can be just the first step into bringing more life to your airport and a better experience to passengers.

Combining an airport’s mobile app with up-to-date social media accounts is the first step to encouraging an ongoing correspondence with your passengers. It gives the ability to have a direct line of communication, especially with frequent fliers who may have valuable feedback for the airport and its operations on the passenger-interaction side. This will remove the need to have expensive surveys done when you can have direct conversations with your customers.

The next step to enhancing the passenger experience is improving the airport’s mobile app. As an example: You could allow passengers to check in for flights on their phones, wave their phone over a machine to scan their boarding pass, use the airport’s mobile app to navigate to their terminal or stores of choice, and then let them easily document the entire experience through social media.

Making the experience as seamless as possible will encourage them to speak positively about your airport, and if they can easily access their accounts and then address the airport’s social media accounts to share the good times – then their friends, family, and followers will pay attention and, hopefully, use your airport as well.

There are certainly a number of benefits that would come from creating a silky smooth experience like above aside from the word-of-mouth advertising you would receive and improved passenger experience for travelers.

Data can be collected from social media, allowing you to generate analytics with the proper systems to see what passengers are saying and thinking about your airport directly. When they are encouraged to post their experiences, it’s more data to read and learn trends from. This gathered data could present you with improvements to be made, or simply let you know what you’re doing right at your airport. A close connection with your passengers is tantamount to positive growth.

Properly utilizing social media alongside a comprehensive airport mobile app can lead to many improvements – not only for improving the relationship with your passengers but how you interact with all passenger on your operations side. It’s time to jump into the heart of the storm, and not let trends pass your airport by.

The Importance of a Mobile Solution

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Both mobile applications and responsive websites are important in this growing age of smartphones and tablets. To keep up with this explosive expansion of technology, airports must make sure all travelers can grab the information they need to fly onwards.

Mobile applications and responsive websites are two sides of the same coin. Mobile apps are downloaded on for use on phones and tablets while a responsive website is a website that works and displays great across all devices.

The number of global mobile users passed desktop users in 2014 and the popularity of these devices continues to expand, according to a study done by Morgan Stanley Research. 51% of time spent with digital media by adults is through a mobile device, according to a study done by eMarketer this year. Only 42% is done through desktop devices in comparison, and 7% through other devices.

The direction you’ll want to take with your airport will depend on many factors, and it’s best to consider the pros and cons for each possibility before going forward.

Apps can do quite a few things that responsive websites cannot. You have access to a wider array of functions and styles, as well as complete control of all its aspects. Apps can be made in any number of programming languages, allowing a much greater range of possibilities compared to a website’s HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. There’s only a limited number of things that can be done with a website effectively. The possibilities for an app are almost limitless but are dependent upon creativity and needs.

Mobile apps can serve the user personally, and are able to keep useful information without logging in and out constantly. Passengers could scan their parking location and store it in the app – making sure they know where to go on their return. This personalized experience and other functions can be very useful for frequent fliers that have their local airport’s app downloaded.

These features, however, come at the price of needing to go through lengthy update processes, licensing applications, and development time – along with the fact that not everybody may want to download something.

89% of time spent with digital media is within an application rather than browsing the web. Even though this hefty statistic includes all apps (games, social media, etc.), it shows that people are certainly willing to download apps, but it must be for a good reason to the individual.

Responsive websites are becoming popular – and for good reason. If a whole website is planned around looking good on all devices, then a consistent brand image can be put forward.

Ofcom Research discovered that desktop PCs are falling in popularity – with a much larger percentage of people owning laptops, smartphones, tablets, game consoles, and even portable gaming devices beating out desktop computers. This means people are purchasing a wide variety of devices that can access the Internet, and a website must be prepared for that.

Responsive websites are built with mobile devices in mind first, and then expanding to the desktop and other views. They stretch and add content as the screen size grows, allowing you to customize what will be on which devices depending on screen size and orientation.

Though a website may not be able to have all the functionality an app may have, the versatility, consistency, and lack of download push it to the forefront of what may be preferred. If someone is just looking for information rather than interaction, a website is easier to sort through and deal with.

But with all this information, a choice is still left. Do you choose one? Both? You have to decide based on the needs of your airport and passengers.

Ideally both should be had to ensure you reach all the right audiences, much like having a parking structure close to the airport for people in a hurry and a long-term lot far away for cost-conscious passengers. An app caters to frequent fliers while a responsive website will cater to your leisure travelers and people passing through the airport. Reaching for both a responsive website and mobile apps can allow you to push your brand image into the forefront of users minds.

Just be careful to ensure the app and website aren’t exact copies. Let the responsive website be what it would be, and mold the mobile app into something with extended functionality and uses that travelers would want, but cannot be put easily into a website.

Regardless of the direction an airport takes, a mobile solution is increasingly important. 80% of Internet users own a smartphone, and it’s a statistic that will not stop growing as smart technology become more popular and affordable.

To land in and keep up with the growing world of smartphones, airports must look at their decisions with technology and stay connected with passengers. There are pros and cons to going with mobile apps, responsive websites, or both – but there is no doubt a choice must be made in order to not fall behind.

Digitization delivers delicious data

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The world is becoming increasingly digitized, and technology growing exponentially more efficient – these factors ensure that collecting and analyzing data has never been easier or as comprehensive. We all now live in an era driven by data.

Anybody can now access vast amounts of resources alongside the data that comes from it. Airports especially need to learn what information to collect, and when and where to apply the data-driven trends. Those who don’t take advantage of these modern means will be left far behind others who use data-driven strategies to make key decisions.

The traveler demographic is rapidly growing and is projected to reach 7 billion passengers per year by 2020, according to the Airports Council International. This means more and more data can be collected and utilized to improve your airport. Future trends can be predicted, efficiency and security increased, and productivity improved.

Given this flood of new and rapidly growing information, a trusted technology partner to provide the requisite expertise or the in-house staff with the proper skill-sets to analyze and collect this data will be a must. Without the ability to truly analyze and utilize this data, it will be meaningless.

Not only do you need people in place to be able to analyze the information – there must be actual systems in place and you need to know what you want to get out of it. Given the depth and breadth of airport operations – from landside, terminal, and airside – it is important to know how well every aspect is performing. Data analysis can significantly aid the airport in achieving this goal. 

Data gathered from daily Part 139 inspections could be utilized to see trends on the airfield and perform proactive maintenance to avoid disruptions. Passenger flow information can be examined by detail by separating it by the time of day and day of the week. It can then be viewed from the lens of underlying factors such as seasonal upticks and weather conditions. The information gathered not only can be used for airport staffing but can also be utilized to help concessionaires and parking appropriately prepare for upswings or low periods.

At our local airport, we have experienced food concessionaires closing without taking into account the scores of possibly hungry passengers waiting for delayed flights in the concourse – making it a missed opportunity. Timely information to the concessionaires can help improve their bottom line, the airport’s revenue share, and the overall experience of passengers traveling through the airport. Another common view is when the line from the parking lot snakes through rows waiting to pay at the few manned parking lot kiosks. Closing the loop on flight arrivals, parking lot capacity, and iterating the patterns when the aforementioned scenario occurs can help avoid this from becoming a repetitive occurrence.

If there is a measurable output, it can be dissected and analyzed to help improve your airport operations, better the lives of your employees and passengers, and work with the community to achieve newer and higher goals. With this massive growth of information, airports must to move with the times and wield data as a way to pave the path to a new, informative era.

The Case for Automation and Digitization

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The world is becoming increasingly digitized, moving away from physical stockpiles of information in favor of compact, environmentally friendly, and easily accessible data. Binders and cabinets with documents in silos, spread across an airport can now be accessed easily in one place from any device – off or on the airport.

The time is ripe for airports to consider the benefits of transitioning to an automated system. Inaction can cost an airport more than the price of an automated system, even if the upfront cost seems higher. This concept is important for any business or government entity but especially applies to the complex operations at airports. If airport operations are unable to access critical data in real time, on top of the obvious losses are hidden losses. Even when operations appear to be working as intended, there are always explicit and implicit costs that should be considered.

Airports track explicit costs – which are easily quantified – like the upfront cost of a FIDS system. The hidden or implicit costs are usually more difficult to track but are still an expense nonetheless. Implicit costs are the time that could have been spent elsewhere, potential hours lost, possibilities missed, and dangerous situations left unchecked.

Digitization and automation of timely manual processes are the keys to eliminating an immediate source of implicit losses through real-time interactions. Filing paperwork takes a lot of time and searching through the documents can be even more time consuming. Not having access to these documents when decisions need to be made can further complicate the process by duplication of efforts, such as multiple work orders filed for the same discrepancy. Bringing these to an online system makes all aspects of operations easier, organized, and cost effective – and environmentally friendly as well.

Digitizing information makes it significantly easier to access and organize critical information as well. Airfield inspections can be done from a smartphone out on the tarmac; maintenance can be aware of an airside work order as soon as operations inspector notes the discrepancy; and management efforts can be recorded from the site and read in the office simultaneously. Efficiency is reached when multiple people can access the same records on the same portal, from various devices and locations in the airport.

While digitization helps reduce time and resources by streamlining records, automation helps reduce duplication of efforts. At many airports, the lack of real-time access to relevant data causes airport staff to re-issue a work order or attend to a matter that was already addressed in a prior shift. Automation also aids in communication within and between airport departments. Automated emails have replaced calls to other departments to notify them of an issue, such as a work order. This is not only a time-saving tool but also a valuable communication medium. It keeps all relevant parties constantly on top of critical issues at the airport.

Processes currently done manually will become much more efficient and cost-effective when automated, and allow staff to focus on critical issues affecting the airport. Different airports will have different needs and budgets – but for any airport considering a system to automate their processes, the cost of inaction may very well far exceed the upfront cost of procuring a system.

The Importance of a Website

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Websites are growing greatly in importance all around the world – and with the growth of smartphones and other web-accessible devices, it is critical for airports to make sure their online presence soars to the top.

Nearly two-thirds of American adults and a staggering 85% of young adults own a smartphone now, according to a study released in April 2015 by the Pew Research Center. This number is rapidly increasing, and it covers all demographics. People young and old, across all genders, races, and financial situations own smartphones. Any remaining divides between demographics is rapidly diminishing, leaving smartphones in the massive majority.

Having established the prevalence of smartphone ownership in the United States, it is important to see how these mobile devices are utilized. According to the Pew Research Center, 97% of smartphone owners 18-29 years old, and 90% of users 30-49 years old use their phone to browse the Internet. This is a massive amount of people browsing on their phone, demonstrating the importance of having a responsive website for every airport.

With the prevalence of mobile devices taking off, it is increasingly important to ensure that your website is designed to be viewed on a variety of devices. If people can’t use their device to browse a website and find what they need, it’ll cause frustration. This frustration can keep people from returning to your airport’s website – and worse yet, to vent this frustration on social media. A website needs to be a medium to connect with passengers and make them feel good about guiding their travel through your airport, as the web is now where first impressions are often made.

To establish positive rapport with travellers and enhance the credibility of your airport’s brand, the website cannot just be responsive and usable across multiple devices – it has to be visually pleasing, easy to browse, and directed at the demographic you want to connect with. Making it viewable across all devices will mean nothing if it isn’t laid out in a way people can quickly and easily find the information they want.

A website in the modern day is the ultimate way an airport can proudly display their brand and ideals, and where most people will see it. It is a powerful marketing tool that needs to be effectively utilized, and proper optimization will greatly increase the airport’s visibility, bring new passengers, and keep frequent fliers coming back.

Airports need to take to the times and have a well-designed, optimized, and responsive website to ensure they can soar to new heights.

The Internet of Things spreads to Airports

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Technology is rapidly spreading across the world. As it improves, devices begin to spin a complex web of communication that is continually growing more complicated and integrated with other technologies – a resource that is yet to be fully utilized by airports, but could be used to great success in many fields of operations, from easing management stress to improving the passenger experience.

This concept, called the Internet of Things (IoT), is an interconnected network of physical electronics which all communicate with each other. This data is shared and spread across devices to enable the applications and technology to better serve the user. For example, a Wi-Fi-enabled thermostat or garage opener can send data to and work with your computer, phone and even smart watch.

This concept is beginning to take form in airports as well, especially as technologies advance. Passengers and employees can use wearable technology in the form of Google Glass and the Apple Watch alike to ease travel and operations. Passengers can wave their smart device over a terminal instead of carrying a ticket and waiting in line; Google Glass can guide employees and staff through other devices towards problem areas or to help passengers, and much more.

The use of these technologies is only the tip of the iceberg that is the Internet of Things. In order to create a future of integration and growth of communicating electronics, more freedom to grow needs to be given and safety of the devices needs to be ensured. This is especially important to consider its use of at airports, as the proper application of technology can heighten safety and greatly improve the travel experience.

Advancement in biometric security could release the need for even passengers to have devices or papers. Cutting edge surveillance coupled with devices could detect threats and inform staff before employees and passengers can even notice. iBeacons placed around the airport can guide travellers to their destination, to deals at stores or airport events across the property; or it can guide staff to problem areas, passengers in need of direction, or to the proper locations in the event of an emergency.

Safety is a concern if the Internet of Things is not properly applied and secured. With so many disparate devices sending data back and forth, we need to ensure that the information is protected. Similarly with Uber and Lyft, regulations need to be put in place to ensure passenger safety on top of the convenience the applications grant. But that is only one step towards a brighter future. As long as these technologies are properly secured and implemented, airports will be able to use them to great success.

It is time to discard old business models and join the web of ever-improving technology, ensuring that airports can continually improve operations and the passenger experience.

Software as a Service taking Airports to the Cloud

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The world works at blinding speeds with advancements in technology, and airports aren’t slowing down either. Software and applications of today should be delivered and work at the same speeds, ensuring the aviation industry can keep pace.

Software has been sold with a license and up-front cost and has been received as either a physical copy or digital download. Software as a Service (SaaS) is a new model in business that is growing in popularity compared to the traditional methods.

It is a change in the way the software is sold, maintained and accessed. The software is licensed and delivered on a subscription basis and is centrally hosted by the SaaS provider. It is also known as the “Cloud” model because there is no need to physically or indirectly distribute the service, and it can be accessed instantly.

There are a number of characteristics that generally make up Software as a Service. The software is highly customizable, configurable and is often updated more frequently than traditional software. Updates are implemented and released by the SaaS provider, as needed with minimal disruption to the end-users.

Airports need services they can count on to ensure operations run smoothly, and airport personnel need to be able to share real-time information. Software as a Service encourages this through interfaces that operate over wide area networks, allowing for employees and staff to always have access to what is needed with real-time information.

Software as a Service also allows airports the flexibility to get only the software components they need and scale as their needs evolve and grow. Specialized hardware doesn’t need to be bought and installed to run the software – the software is maintained without intervention and delivered over the Internet. This means adding more capabilities is often a breeze.

Support, backups, and maintenance are taken care of by the provider, relieving the airport staff of maintaining, supporting and updating the infrastructure. These inherent traits of SaaS make it a suitable solution for airports, given the complexity of airport operations and the cost cutting that is making internal IT resources scarce.

Software as a Service is the answer for keeping pace with technology, especially in the Aviation Industry. It is time for airports to harness its full potential and take off to the Cloud.

Safety Management System Deficiencies

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Safety is paramount when it comes to aviation operations. The many regulations and systems make it the secure structure the aviation industry is now.

But the industry is still relatively young in regards to travel. Slowly it is changing from the ineffective reactive strategies of the past to the proactive planning of the future.

Argus Pros audits and examines many facets of the aviation industry, and one of their yearly releases examines Safety Management System (SMS) deficiencies. A total of 84 audits were done for the year of 2014, and Argus Pros found a number of areas with high deficiency probability within the realms of an SMS.

The three worst areas in terms of errors were the Internal Evaluation Programs (IEP), Risk Assessment, and Safety Management System Training. The three all had a deficiency probability above 67 percent, with IEP being the highest at 81 percent. The remaining areas of SMS almost all had a deficiency probability over 33 percent, with only five of the listed fifteen areas having below that.

For each deficiency, multiple solutions and strategies were put forward to help those who were lacking in the specific areas.

Argus Pros found a few ways to improve the Internal Evaluation Program. They suggest that all the processes involved be documented thoroughly, all auditors to be properly trained in their duties, and everything is operated following the Safety Management System manual.

The deficiencies in Risk Assessment can be remedied through the proper application of strategies when new changes are made to the company, environment, procedures or even the current level of risk, according to Argus Pros. In turn, organization policy may change or new procedures could be created due to Risk Assessment.

Safety Management System Training would ensure th¬at all employees are properly trained in how to use and utilize all the aspects of Safety Management Systems. Annual safety training for employees is necessary, according to Argus Pros. Training should include how to perform root cause analysis, the staff needs to be aware of how to investigate aircraft accidents, report, and track hazards and always perform risk assessment and analysis.

Training for such should be done right away and regularly, either in a class, through the Internet or another venue. This will ensure that everybody is trained to guideline and industry standards and are capable employees.

These numbers may seem frightening at first, but the fact that we know of the deficiencies will allow us to work towards a better future. A more structured safety system is also being pushed to the forefront with new rulings coming into effect, such as the ruling passed by the FAA requiring 14 CRF Part 121 air carriers to implement a Safety Management System under their rules and regulations.

These changes point towards an ultimately brighter and safer future of aviation as the systems mature into using proactive methods instead of reactive ones – ensuring that flights will be as safe as can be for all travellers throughout the year.

For more information, click here read the 2014 Safety Management System Audit results that Argus Pros released.