Goal Is In Increase In Safety And Efficiency In Moving Airplanes Around The Field

Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood Airport in Broward County, FL has installed a new virtual ramp control system to assist in moving airplanes around the airport with a goal of improving safety and efficiency.

Television station WPLG reports that the new system, which airport officials say is the first of its kind in the country, was brought online about two months ago. It uses a network of cameras, including some operating in the infrared spectrum, to allow ground controllers a complete view of the airport.

Before the system was installed, controllers in a trailer used radios and line-of-sight communications to direct airplanes to gates at KFFL. The new system gives controllers a virtual look at the entire airport, eliminating blind spots.

The system feeds real-time data to flight boards at the airport, improving their accuracy.

At peak times, more than 700 flights and 80,000 passengers move through KFFL every day. The new system prevents conflicts on the ramp between aircraft, as well as better coordinating vehicles moving around the airport, according to Michael Nonnemacher, acting director of aviation for Broward County Aviation Department.

Other airports are keeping an eye on the system to see if similar improvements can be made at their facilities, according to the report.

FMI: Original Report, www.broward.org/airport/Pages/Default.aspx