Innovative Collision Prevention Technology to Be Tested at Phoenix Airports
In a groundbreaking move to enhance safety at airports, Honeywell Aerospace has partnered with the City of Phoenix to trial new technology aimed at preventing ground collisions between aircraft and airport vehicles. This initiative marks a significant step forward in aviation safety, using advanced technology to avert potential accidents.
The project involves deploying surface alert technology on ground vehicles, which integrates GPS and automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) data. Known as SURF-A technology, it provides a crucial auditory and visual warning to operators by detecting the exact location of a potential collision before it occurs.
According to Thea Feyereisen of Honeywell Aerospace, the system can alert operators seven to ten seconds before air traffic control would typically do so. “Seconds can be the difference between life or death in a situation like this,” Feyereisen noted, underscoring the importance of early alerts in avoiding disasters.
This technology will be piloted at Phoenix Sky Harbor, Deer Valley, and Goodyear airports. Remarkably, these will be the first airports worldwide to implement this type of collision avoidance technology on their ground vehicles.
The initiative follows a recent incident at LaGuardia Airport in New York, where an Air Canada regional jet collided with an aviation fire truck after being cleared to cross the runway. Inspired by such events, the project aims to significantly improve airfield operational safety.
“NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board) has recommended that pilots get direct alerts of a potential runway collision,” Feyereisen explained. “But we also think that vehicle drivers should also get those direct alerts. They’re also at risk when they’re operating in this dynamic environment.”
Installation of the technology on Phoenix airport ground vehicles is scheduled for this month, with testing set to continue through the end of the year.
Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego emphasized the city’s commitment to innovation and safety, saying, “Phoenix leads on innovation and has always embraced technology that makes our city safer and strengthens our position as a global leader in aviation. By partnering with hometown innovator Honeywell Aerospace, we bring first-of-its-kind collision-avoidance technology to ground vehicles on runways. This collaboration will help protect airport employees, passengers, and flight crews while advancing next generation runway safety around the world.”
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