The airport industry is a complex ecosystem where safety, efficiency, and sustainability are paramount. ADB SAFEGATE, a leading provider of airside solutions, has been recognized for its outstanding contributions to transforming airport operations. The company’s innovative solutions have earned it accolades across four categories in the 2024 Airport Technology Excellence Awards: Environmental, Innovation, Safety, and Business Expansion.
The Airport Technology Excellence Awards celebrate the most significant achievements and innovations in the aviation industry. Powered by GlobalData’s business intelligence, the Awards recognize the people and companies that are driving industry transformation.
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ADB SAFEGATE won the Environmental award for its Safedock Advanced Visual Docking Guidance System (A-VDGS), which plays a significant role in reducing airport CO2 emissions and fuel consumption during docking and pushback procedures. The Innovation award was presented for the Airside 4.0 strategy, which leverages smart technology and artificial intelligence (AI) to revolutionize airside operations. The Safety award was earned through the implementation of ADB SAFEGATE’s OneControl, enhancing airside safety. This was achieved through the integration of advanced ground surveillance and control at Hamburg Airport. Lastly, the Business Expansion award recognized the company’s pivotal role in the transformative project at JFK Airport’s New Terminal One with its innovative airside management systems.
Sustainability through advanced docking systems
ADB SAFEGATE’s environmental initiatives have significantly reduced the carbon footprint of airport operations. The implementation of Safedock A-VDGS and AI technology has led to a 98.5% reduction in hold times. This is a critical advancement considering that excessive hold times not only contribute to increased fuel burn, but also lead to heightened CO2 emissions, posing significant environmental challenges to the aviation sector.
The Safedock A-VDGS systems are designed to streamline the docking process, reducing the time the aircraft is spent idling on the apron. This technology has been instrumental with enhancing gate efficiency and reducing environmental impact, as demonstrated by a successful trial at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. The adaptability of this solution suggests that airports globally could benefit from similar reductions in emissions, fuel consumption, and operational costs, while simultaneously enhancing the passenger experience through reduced arrival delays.
Digitalization: The Airside 4.0 evolution
Embarking on the Airside 4.0 initiative, ADB SAFEGATE has ushered in a new era of digitalization for connected airside operations, encompassing the Tower, the airfield, and the apron. The launch of the Airside Cloud platform in January 2023 marked a significant commitment to harnessing AI for predictive analytics, elevating operational efficiency, safety, and decision-making capabilities across airport ground handling operations.
The comprehensive digital Airside 4.0 ecosystem integrates seamlessly with airfield operations, leveraging machine learning and real-time data analytics. Central to this system are smart assets like the AXON EQ airfield lights, which are aware of their surroundings and provide valuable non-functional outcomes to all stakeholders. These intelligent lights enhance situational awareness, improve safety, and optimize energy usage, directly impacting airport efficiency and operational excellence.
By combining data and intelligence from the Tower, the airfield, and the apron with the Airside Cloud platform’s capabilities, along with adaptive airfield lighting and cutting-edge technologies, airports and airlines can maximize the efficiency of all airside activities. This holistic approach enhances the predictive operational flexibility of the entire airside environment, ensuring safety and efficiency while maintaining exceptional passenger experiences despite fluctuating market demands.
Enhancing airside safety with OneControl
ADB SAFEGATE’s OneControl solution has redefined standards for airside safety. Since deploying at Hamburg Airport, OneControl has demonstrated exceptional technical stability and resilience. This system is a testament to ADB SAFEGATE’s commitment to safety, providing controllers with all necessary tools for managing day-to-day operations and traffic flows with precision.
OneControl’s success is rooted in its ability to provide a unified operational picture, enhancing situational awareness and facilitating informed decision-making. The system’s robustness and adaptability have been proven through rigorous safety and quality validation processes, ensuring that it meets the high standards required of this international airport. As a result, OneControl has become a cornerstone of Hamburg Airport’s digitalization and automation efforts, contributing to a safer and more efficient airside environment.
Business expansion through innovative airport management systems
ADB SAFEGATE’s contract for New Terminal One at JFK Airport represents a significant milestone in business expansion through innovative airside management systems. This project is set to redefine the international passenger experience with the implementation of the latest Airside 4.0 solutions. The comprehensive suite of systems includes the latest Safedock Flex A-VDGS, Intelligent AiPRON platform including ramp services management systems (RSMS), as well as intelligent airfield lighting with first in the USA Follow-the-Greens concept, and a virtual apron control room.
The partnership with Tishman Construction and the integration of 12 separate products and solutions demonstrate ADB SAFEGATE’s ability to collaborate and innovate within the industry. The project will introduce several firsts for North America, including the Terminal Operations Center (TOC) for overall terminal management and the Virtual Apron Control Room (VACR) for managing the entire Terminal 1 Apron. These advancements are set to provide the most efficient and safest ramp operations in America, showcasing ADB SAFEGATE’s leadership in airport management systems.
“Winning Airport Technology Excellence Awards in 4 prestigious categories is a testament to ADB SAFEGATE’s commitment to the aviation industry. With a legacy spanning over 100 years, ADB SAFEGATE continues to pioneer innovation pushing boundaries to improve safety, efficiency and sustainability in airside operations” – Regardt Willer, CMO and VP of Business Development, ADB SAFEGATE
Company Profile
ADB SAFEGATE provides integrated solutions to airports, airlines, and air navigation service providers (ANSPs) and are leading the way with innovative and smart Airside 4.0 solutions that turn airports into smart airports, with the ultimate goal of enhancing the passenger experience.
Solutions include airfield lighting, power and control systems, airport and tower software, docking automation, apron management, and aftermarket services. With over 1,400 employees and over 2,700 airports in over 175 countries, from the busiest and largest to the fastest-growing airports, ADB SAFEGATE is dedicated to making air travel safe, efficient, and environmentally friendly.
Links
Website: adbsafegate.com
