In the context of Horizon 2020-Galileo-1-2014 Call, e-Airport project is an Apron Management System based on GNSS positioning and integrity computation able to carry out activities schedule, safe monitor and control of operations performed by the airport vehicles.
Apron management services aim at increasing airport capacity and safety in adverse meteorological conditions and at important high-density aerodromes.
Using a centralized EGNSS positioning, integrity, and redundant local wireless network solution, this Apron Management System aims to:
• Increase safety of the vehicles and aircraft moving in the apron
• Support Security and Efficiency of the airfreight handling.
• Optimize the airport operations efficiency reducing the Turn Around Time
• Provide ATC with an accurate and updated TOBT.
Solutions proposed by e-Airport could be exploit to prevent that unauthorized vehicle access runway or forbidden areas, in order avoid collisions between airport vehicles and aircrafts during Turn Round operations.
The operational advantages offered by the use of EGNOS/EDAS and Galileo signals are the enhancement of the position accuracy: the e-Airport has developed an innovative Airport Monitor application based on EGNSS technology.
The complexity of the system would require additional features to be able to manage more vehicles and different operational environment. On the other hand, the basic functionalities are not so difficulty and heavy in terms of SW implementation, and additional development does not appear as a big constraint.
The potential benefits can differ by the nature and the geographical position of the airports. In some airport the driver decision for the implementation of such a system could be the necessity to usually operate with adverse meteorological conditions. In others, the main justification could be the handling company capability to manage the fleet in the most efficient way.
