Sun, Mar 05, 2006
A resolution to support
a proposal led by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University that would
develop Daytona Beach International Airport into a model prototype
of the operationally integrated airport of the future was
unanimously passed by the Volusia County Council at its regularly
scheduled session in DeLand Thursday. In addition to the airport,
Embry-Riddle’s industry partners in the Teaching Airport
Advanced Integrated Technology Project are Lockheed Martin,
Transtech Airport Solutions Inc., ENSCO Inc., and Mosaic ATM.
“These multinational aerospace organizations would have a
real-world operational airport where they could showcase new
products and methodologies – including those that are
security related – to other airports, airlines, and their
government customers,” says John Metzner, vice president of
External Relations at Embry-Riddle. He added that these
organizations could serve as anchor tenants in the research
technology park that Embry-Riddle is planning to build adjacent to
the airport.
The partners are hoping to win an initial federal government
grant of $7.5 million toward the estimated $30 million investment
for the project, which will also be funded by industry
contributions. In the integrated airport concept, existing and
emerging technologies are combined to create a seamless system in
which aircraft, airlines, the airport, and the FAA share a unified
information repository and alert mechanism to enhance safety,
security, and efficiency in all areas.
The system proposed for the Daytona Beach airport would employ
several kinds of technology: highly refined local area weather
prediction; an advanced infrared Doppler radar system that detects
and tracks wind hazards and aircraft wake vortices; a millimeter
wave sensor that uses a mini-radar network to detect aircraft,
ground vehicles, debris, and wildlife; an optical identification
sensor that reads aircraft tail numbers to aid aircraft location;
and realistic three-dimensional graphical displays that create
“virtual camera” effects. The software that integrates
all the electronically collected information provides some of the
truly innovative aspects of this proposal.
“Not only will this system ensure complete situational
awareness and control of all aspects of airport operations,”
says Embry-Riddle’s Metzner, “it can also assist in the
development of new ways to reduce noise and emissions through new
computer-aided airport surface management, approach, and departure
procedures that can save time and fuel. The opportunities are
endless with a system of this scope.”
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