Airbus subsidiary Airbus ProSky has introduced an integrated airport surface management system (SMAN) for air traffic control centres worldwide, complementing its air traffic management (ATM) offerings.
The new system helps meet airports’ requirement for more eco-efficient ground operations such as safe taxiway routing for pilots, all-weather guidance between the terminal gate and the runway, and control of aircraft and vehicles.
SMAN was designed by the German company ATRiCS for environmental efficiency, and is now offered through Airbus ProSky.
The new system has a unique feature which automatically switches on the green taxiway lights in front of the aircraft as it moves forward, illuminating the correct route ahead for the pilot to follow.
This system lowers taxi time and maximises airport capacity and aircraft throughput, while its intelligent predictive guidance also prevents runway incursions and a ‘wrong-turn’.
As a result, SMAN smoothes overall traffic flow and facilitates a continuous taxi speed, which in turn leads to less queuing, less ‘stop-and-go’, and lower CO2 emissions.
ATRiCS CEO Wolfgang Hatzack said: “Airbus ProSky and ATRiCS share a common goal for improving the efficiency of our airport and aviation systems.
“Our deployments in Incheon, Kuala Lumpur, Dubai, Frankfurt, Zurich and Düsseldorf demonstrate the safety and cost benefits for the global aviation industry with Airbus ProSky.”
Airbus ProSky CEO Eric Stefanello said: “Airbus ProSky is bringing together intelligent ATM components that offer the highest level of performance improvements.
“ATRiCS is a proven leader and innovator in advanced artificial intelligence to assist controllers, and we are delighted to have them as part of our team.”
