Month: June 2021

How new technologies are boosting airport safety and efficiency

Airport operators are under intense pressure to maintain impeccable safety and efficiency standards. Fortunately, advanced technologies are helping the aviation industry keep travellers safe while minimising delays and creating seamless customer experiences. Here are just a few of the latest developments to benefit the industry:

 

1. Anti-drone technologies

 

Drones represent a significant risk to airports. If an individual gets their hands on a drone and flies it over the runway, the resultant delays can be severe. Fortunately, airport operators are quickly discovering ways to combat drone attacks. <a href=“https://www.howtogeek.com/221077/htg-explains-what-geofencing-is-and-why-you-should-be-using-it/”>Geo-fencing technologies</a>, for example, contains internal GPS systems that prevent drones from entering certain areas.

 

2. Robust body scanners

 

Body scanners have been in use for decades now, helping airport staff detect potential security threats. Recently, however, <a href=“https://phys.org/news/2018-12-passenger-scanner-space-technology-airport.html”>more powerful body scanners</a> have been developed to speed up security checks and reduce the need for passengers to stay still or remove certain items of clothing. Using state-of-the-art heat imaging technologies, these devices can quickly spot the difference between threatening items and everyday hand luggage.

 

3. E-passorts

 

E-passports have helped airports improve their security credentials over the past decade. Also referred to as biometric passports, e-passports contain special chips that can be scanned automatically at airports all over the world. This reduces pressure on airport staff to manually check every passport and mitigates the likelihood of human error.

 

4. Behavioural profiling technologies

 

Behavioural profiling technologies detect abnormal behavioural responses in travellers, alerting airport staff to activities that could be considered ‘suspicious’. The technologies are controversial and are still undergoing testing. However, advocates of behavioural assessment devices claim they represent a highly efficient way to spot security threats. The systems are minimally intrusive and are designed to spot changes in a person’s posture, gestures, eye movements, and voice.

 

5. Facial recognition software

 

Facial recognition technologies are used across the world to determine whether passengers’ passport photos match their physical features. Contrary to popular belief, the human brain is not particularly adept at spotting subtle differences in facial features. In this way, facial recognition software is helping to reduce security problems caused by human error.

 

It is worth noting, however, that the full potential of facial recognition software is yet to be realised. It is hoped that travellers will soon be able to check in, deposit their luggage, and board a flight without having to show their passport at all. This would significantly reduce airport traffic and time spent in waiting rooms.

 

6. Terahertz screening

 

Terahertz screening represents the cutting-edge of aviation technologies and could soon transform the airline industry. The technology works by detecting heat emissions from passengers’ bodies to visualise hidden (and potentially dangerous) items. Despite some scepticism, companies at the forefront of terahertz screening have found the technology to be safe.

 

7. Mobile applications

 

Increasingly, airports are using mobile applications to speed up the check-in and boarding process, guiding passengers to relevant gates and helping people drop off their luggage swiftly. In future, these apps are likely to get more sophisticated and continue to improve the passenger experience.

How can weather communications technology improve airport safety?

Changing weather conditions are here to stay, bringing ever increasing challenges to the aviation industry. Unexpected weather events can impact both logistics and safety, sometimes with catastrophic results.

The good news is that weather communications technology is evolving and changing too. Increases in basics like communications bandwidth allow for increased accuracy and improvements to timely forecasting, as well as a greater understanding of weather patterns and semi-predictable events. Forecasting in real-time is now a reality, which means improved safety and efficiency as well as reduced disruption for passengers and businesses.

Why is a global understanding of weather conditions so important?

Reliable, accurate information about weather events is arguably the single most important thing in flight planning operations. It impacts all aspects of airport logistics as well as passenger and crew safety. Predicting land-based conditions is becoming easier – historical facts alongside improved technology have lead to terrific inroads into understanding how the weather may behave, and its impact on airports and aircraft. The crucial element is understanding the detail, in terms of the nuance-like changes and their effect on conditions elsewhere. It’s this element that technological advances are continually seeking to understand, and improved software and communications solutions are a big part of unravelling this conundrum.

Far reaching impact of future turbulence

Turbulence causes injury. All types of turbulence are cited as being the main reason for non-fatal aircraft incidents, something that will increase for as long as severe weather remains the norm. Indeed, if the expected increase in extreme weather happens as predicted, injury from turbulence is something that may become much more prevalent. Estimates suggest that, in the US alone, the cost of turbulence already tops $100m each year and rising.

What’s the solution?

As bandwidth availability improves, then weather data can become shared more readily. Airports will enjoy increased awareness of any incidence of clear air turbulence, changes to wind speed, variation in wind direction as well as any powerful convection or other hazards. This will both increase confidence and minimise loss of revenue.

Other innovations

Global connectivity has led to other innovations in weather management. One of the most exciting is the concept of “crowdsourcing” weather details. Individual aircraft share weather data, so a clear global picture is created. Companies like IBM’s The Weather Company are working hard to make this information available at every journey point, from ground ops to the flight deck. Their Total Turbulence app is thought to be behind a dramatic reduction in turbulence related incidents by an impressive 50%. Combine applications like this, with improved airport communications and other weather prediction innovations, and the future of air safety and efficiency seems bright, despite the fluctuations in weather patterns.

What solutions does Bayanat offer?

Bayanat offers a host of creative and innovative solutions to the problems caused by increases in extreme weather. These include:

• MET Forecasting/Visualisation Systems
• Meteorological sensors
• Automated Weather Observing Systems (AWOS)
• Runway Visual Range (RVR)
• Weather RADARs
• LIDARs (Windshear/Wake Vortex Measurement)
• Thermo Dynamic Profiler/RadioMeters
• Lightning detection systems
• Radiosonde/weather telemetry systems
• Weather Decision Support Systems
• Wind Profilers

Discover more

To discover more about the solutions Bayanat offers for weather communications, and how you can maximise efficiency and improve safety, just get in touch via our contact page

Airports and the environment: How can airports be more eco-friendly?

Airports are one of the most important aspects of any country’s infrastructure. Not only do airports provide a hub for air travel, but they also boost the economy of the local area. However, as with any major industry, airports can have a lasting impact on their surrounding environment. Minimising the environmental damage done, both in the construction and the management of airports, should be a key concern of all aviation managers.

 

Let’s take a look at how airports damage the environment, and how good Air Traffic Management can help to minimise these impacts on the world around us.

 

How do airports impact the environment?

 

Airports can have a serious impact on both the local and the global environment. Significant damage can be caused to a local ecosystem when ground is cleared to make way for new terminals and runways, and of course, over time all airports will cause a significant amount of noise and air pollution while burning large amounts of fossil fuels.

 

While it’s the responsibility of the aviation industry to investigate new fuel technologies, they can also use existing technologies to streamline working practices and make meaningful reductions in fuel wastage and noise pollution today.

 

How technology can help

 

One of the most important changes that airports can make to reduce their impact on the environment today is in Air Traffic Management.

 

Air Traffic Management is one of the primary areas where technology can help to reduce noise and fuel emissions, as improvements in this area will have a direct impact on how efficiently planes are managed, reducing fuel waste and enabling air traffic experts to manage flights in a way that reduces noise pollution at certain times of the day.

 

In Europe, airports are already using satellite-based navigation systems to improve aircraft spacing between takeoffs and landings, reducing air traffic delays and fuel wastage that would otherwise be caused by congestion.

 

What policymakers need to know

 

When creating airport management policies, aviation leaders should factor in the use of modern technologies, including those utilised by Air Traffic Management teams, to minimise the impact on the environment. Systems include:

 

– Air Traffic Management Automation Systems

– Vessel Traffic Management Systems

– Electronic Flight Strips

– General Information Monitoring Systems

– Departure/Arrival Manager Systems

– Remote Control Towers

 

These can all help air traffic management teams to make smarter, safer decisions that will reduce their impact on the environment in significant and meaningful ways.

 

What we do at Bayanat

 

At Bayanat, we are experts in aviation technology. From Air Traffic Management systems to surveillance, weather management and navigation, our tech solutions for the aviation industry can help your airport to run efficiently and cleanly. Advanced technology can help airports to improve the customer experience for passengers and travellers, make airports a safer place to be for everyone, and minimise the damage caused by aeroplanes on the environment around us.

 

To find out more about how Bayanat can help your airport to improve its services while saving money in the long term, get in touch with us today.

The importance of data in aviation

Data has always been an important aspect of aviation. However, it’s becoming increasingly more important in the 21st century as new aircraft are developed and technologies continue to advance. Data plays a huge role in every aspect of aviation from passenger comfort to engine efficiency. This blog examines the importance of data in aviation in more detail.

 

Managing aeroplane design

 

One example is aeroplane and engine design. Data on how many passengers can fit on one plane and what they need to be comfortable will determine how the plane’s interior is designed. The way engines operate also depends on data relating to flight duration and pathways. Long-haul and short-haul flights use different types of engines and are operated differently. This is because the fuel consumption must be more efficient on long-haul flights whilst short-haul flights can’t afford to have the engine idle for a long time. Therefore they need to be shut off more often. Pilots rely on data for long-haul flights so they can choose an engine configuration that will consume less fuel.

 

Air traffic management

 

Data is pivotal for effective air traffic management. Air traffic controllers use significant quantities of data when guiding pilots in airspace with many planes flying. Data is essential for both air traffic controllers and pilots to operate the planes safely. For air traffic controllers, data is vitally important because it helps them to prevent serious problems such as runway overruns and collisions.

 

Data also helps airports determine where planes should be positioned for take-off and landing. Airport operations centres use data on runway status, wind direction, pilot reports, terminal observations, and tower weather reports in order to safely position aircraft at the airport.

 

The importance of data for pilots, beyond making decisions about engine configuration, is that it helps them to navigate by giving them radar information, weather reports, and details about airport conditions.

 

Passenger and terminal operations

 

Data is also very important for passenger and terminal operations in airport environments. Data from people counting systems in airports can be used to give information about the number of passengers in a particular area, as well as their waiting time. Airports also use data from the airport operations centre to improve efficiency.

 

Passenger tracking systems allow employees to see who is departing or arriving at an airport and when they are expected to land or depart. This information can help the employee determine if there is any way they can speed up a process in order to improve customer service and satisfaction. Similarly, data is vital for clear communication with passengers. Without clear information and data, passengers would not be able to identify where to check in or which gate they need to be at and when making their journey much less efficient.

 

It’s clear that data is highly important within aviation. Everyone involved in aviation, ranging from pilots and air traffic control to staff within the airport relies on large quantities of data for a safe and effective experience. Not only does data help to improve customer service and satisfaction through increasing the efficiency of airport processes and communication, but it’s also vital for ensuring safety and effective aeroplane design.

How people counting systems can help improve infrastructure

The use of people counting systems (PCS) has become more widespread in recent months due to the risks of overcrowding relating to the Covid-19 pandemic. But even before the pandemic, people counting systems offers organisations a simple and effective way to gather vital data that can be used to overhaul infrastructure for the better.

 

PCSs are used across many commercial sectors including retail, transport, and leisure to collect data on footfall and traffic at various times during the day. The data gathered by an accurate PCS can be used to improve infrastructure to result in both a better service for customers while streamlining expenditures for management.

 

What is a people counting system?

 

A people counting system is an electronic or mechanical device that counts the number of people entering and exiting a building. A PCS can also count how many visitors stop to browse in the shop, where they go next, how long they stay there, and more. This data helps organisations better understand their customers’ behaviour and preferences which in turn helps them improve infrastructure over time.

 

Different people counting sensors use various different technologies to count footfall, with varying levels of accuracy. CCTV can be used to count people optically, while WiFi people trackers can search for phone signals and track people that way. Neither of these methods is highly accurate, though both can be used to get a broad idea of footfall at various times of the day. Infrared people counters use infrared technology, which is based on heat, to detect objects and track people entering or leaving a space with a high level of accuracy.

 

How are people counting systems used in airports?

 

PCSs are used in various different settings for similar purposes. In transport and aviation, people counting systems are frequently installed in airports and other transportation hubs to inform decision-making with regards to how the infrastructure of the airport is designed.

 

In airports, people counting systems can be used to track and measure the number of people entering public areas at various times of day, for example, to see how many people are passing through during rush hour or in the evening. Similarly, transport hubs can use PCSs to measure traffic flow and determine when and where more service is needed. This data is invaluable for making decisions about the infrastructure of airports and transport hubs.

 

How should PCSs inform decision-making in infrastructure and design?

 

The number of people using any given space at any time is one of the most crucial data points that can be used when designing the infrastructure of any business or organisation. This data can be used to inform:

 

– Which times of the day, week, and month are most popular with travellers?

– Which areas of your space suffer overcrowding, and when?

– What routes do people take through your space?

– Which areas are most popular and which ones have the least foot traffic?

 

The data collected by PCSs can be used to make infrastructure decisions including the addition of new hubs, waiting areas, escalators, platforms; as well as the way your security is managed, including the use of CCTVs and security guard patrol routes. These changes will not only benefit travellers, but they will also reduce the stress on busy employees.

 

Who are we?

 

At Bayanat Engineering, we create tailored solutions for airports that combine cutting-edge technology and expert engineering to result in efficient, streamlined infrastructure and design that keeps things running smoothly for airport managers and travellers. Get in touch with us today to find out more about how a people counting system can be used to improve your airport infrastructure.

5 recent trends in aviation solutions

Aviation has experienced unprecedented change over the past decade as fundamental shifts in the way people travel for work and pleasure have transformed the industry.

 

The rise of low-cost airlines has brought international travel to the masses, while advances in technology have transformed inflight experiences. However, the aviation industry is not one for standing still.

 

Several new technologies from outside aviation are set to transform passenger experiences even further in the coming years, while the move away from fossil fuels has forced airlines to look at more environmentally friendly alternatives.

 

So with all that in mind, let’s look at five trends in aviation that are set to dominate the industry over the next 12 months.

 

Elevated passenger experiences

 

Airlines have been focused on improving the flying experience for a while now, but many airports have failed to keep up. All this looks set to change, however, with the widespread introduction of the following technologies:

 

Baggage check-in: Airports will continue to roll out RFID luggage tags to improve baggage tracking at the airport. This should help to reduce queuing and allow passengers to track their luggage via a smartphone or tablet.

 

Airport transportation: Inter airport transportation systems continue to be rolled out across major airports in Asia, Europe and North America. Examples include robotic car parking at Gatwick Airport and the inter-terminal Skytrain at Singapore Changi Airport.

 

Artificial intelligence

 

Ever-increasing security demands will see the use of autonomous artificial intelligence (AI) based systems being expanded. These should help to speed up passenger screening and improve security at the airport.

 

One such example is improved passenger screening using biometric information collected through facial recognition software. This will help to reduce queuing times and automate other processes to reduce the number of security staff required.

 

Sustainable fuels

 

The global aviation industry is ramping up efforts to create environmentally friendly and sustainable fuels. Several biofuels are currently being tested that promise to significantly lower the carbon footprint of the industry.

 

Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) are currently more expensive to produce than fossil-based fuels, but the hope is that by expanding production and increasing research and development, the cost can be brought down to a level similar to fossil fuels.

 

Virtual reality headsets

 

Airlines and airports are both continuing to implement Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) to improve passenger experiences both in the terminal and during the flight.

 

For example, both Emirates and Etihad are rolling out SkyLights immersive VR headsets as part of a fleet-wide inflight entertainment upgrade. Emirates is also using AR technology to showcase aircraft interiors on the company’s website.

 

Health monitoring

 

The coronavirus looks set to influence air travel for the foreseeable future. If faith in the industry is to be maintained post-pandemic, both airports and airlines will need to improve their health screening processes.

 

Current screening methods consist of questionnaires and manual temperature monitoring, but systems are being developed using touchless biometric technology to create a more streamlined and robust system.

 

In the meantime, airports should increase the availability of handwashing stations, create negative pressure rooms to house passengers with symptoms and implement UV cleaning for personal effects and carry-on luggage.

 

Our specialists are here to help

 

Bayanat Engineering can provide support to airlines and airport authorities looking to implement any of the above technologies.

 

Our team of aviation specialists has experience designing and installing various solutions, including baggage reconciliation systems, passenger tracking and counting systems, automated check-in and boarding systems, and integrated security systems.

Passenger and terminal operations – in the stadiums and during sporting events

Bayanat Engineering’s passenger and terminal systems are useful for more than just ensuring passengers get to the right plane on time in an airport terminal. They can be deployed in a wide range of environments, and with the FIFA World Cup coming to Qatar in 2022, and likely bringing millions of supporters and spectators with it, managing the crowds inside stadiums is likely to be a difficult task. That’s where Bayanat Engineering’s adaptable passenger and terminal operations can come in to support matchday procedures.

 

Information display systems

 

You’ve likely come across information display systems in an airport before. These are the systems that track where you need to go and present the relevant information to you, often on kiosks or large screens which keep an airport running as smoothly and effectively as possible. This can directly translate itself to working on a football stadium’s concourse, and guiding crowds across the ground.

 

By using information display systems in flexible and agile ways, you can let ticket holders know exactly where their seating block is and how to get there. These systems can significantly reduce the amount of human traffic in a stadium, and ensure that everyone attending the match has a good time.

 

Passenger check-in systems

 

Another easily comparable system is the passenger check-in systems used at airports. These systems are often highly complex and designed to make sure that the right passenger gets onto the flight without a problem, and there are no major hold-ups at the gate. After all, one person getting stuck at check-in can lead to long queues and disgruntled customers.

 

This translates very easily into a football stadium. Just think, it’s ten minutes before kick-off, spectators are filing in one by one, and a single ticket goes through wrong, holding up the queue for a quarter of an hour. Hundreds of people could miss the start of the match, all because of a failing ticket system. By using transferred check-in systems, you can rely on reused and proven infrastructure to get tens of thousands of people into stadiums on time, rather than relying on untested systems.

 

People counting systems

 

The history of football, as joyful and celebratory as it can be, has been marred with a range of shocks and tragedies due to overcrowding in stadiums. Whilst ticketing keeps this issue to a minimum, people counting systems can have the potential to save lives. By ensuring that only a safe amount of people are on the concourse at any one time, you don’t run the risk of packing thousands of people into a very tight space and causing a crush. People counting systems can be a vital safety measure, and by using them effectively in World Cup stadiums, we can keep the focus on the matches themselves, rather than finding ourselves in an international tragedy.

 

To find out more about how Bayanat Engineering’s passenger and terminal operations can keep people safe and happy throughout the World Cup in 2022, contact our team today. We’re always happy to answer any questions you might have, and we’re proud to offer our services to get the best show in the world up and running.

Weather conditions and airports

Weather events are one of the biggest cause of delays at airports and also one of the most challenging. Weather delays always have a cost, for airports, airline and passengers.

These range from increased crew, fuel and maintenance for airports and airlines, to lost time, missed connections and hospitality costs for passengers.

The Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) suggest that weather can account for 50 per cent of all aircraft delays, depending on the month of the year and prevailing conditions experienced within a year.

The complexities of weather forecasting and weather management mean that airports must be able to effectively quantify weather events and determine their significance upon performance.

All flight delays caused by weather conditions are largely out of the airport and the airline’s control.

Recent years have seen an increase in severe weather events as a result of global climate change. Scientists predict that this will only grow in significance into the future.

Measuring the impact of weather events on airport performance

When considering weather events and their impact on airport performance, it is useful to use a simple categorisation methodology such as the following suggested Borsky and Unterberger.
They classified weather conditions into “sudden” and “slow onset”.

Sudden weather events occur with little warning and tend to feature for a short period within a given day. Sudden weather events include elements like wind, tornadoes, precipitation, thunderstorms and heavy fog.

Slow onset weather events are those that develop during the course of a day and follow a trend before reaching an extreme. Slow onset events would be changes in temperature leading to frost or extreme heat.

Analysing and understanding the delays caused by each type of sudden or slow onset weather event can assist airports and airlines to forecast the length of delay each one causes. Airports use sophisticated algorithms based on data, machine learning and artificial intelligence to do this.

Measuring airport performance in relation to weather

Airport performance, and how operators minimise the impact of weather delays, is complex.

Put simply though, we can consider that the significance of weather events on airport management depends on:

The airport’s ability to forecast weather events

How resilient the airport is to weather events

How it responds to weather events

Airports can utilise advanced information management tools to perform analysis of the above factors.

To begin with, an airport will understand the significant weather events that impact their location and may need to pay particular attention to those that their systems and staff are not necessarily very familiar with.

Then the airport will consider a range of factors to illustrate their own readiness for different types of significant weather events. Customised plans and checklists will be generated for each type of weather event, ranging from frequent to those that are rare but plausible. Further analysis will determine actions and best practice tools to refine readiness for significant weather events.

Throughout, the airport will be gathering data on the effects and costs of weather events over time. This can be used to prepare future readiness plans and to make investment decisions on how best to increase readiness for weather events based on frequency, significance cost and potential savings strategies.

Weather is a complex phenomenon and airports are complex places. Combined, this means that weather management strategies for airports are compounded in an enormous aggregation of data utilised to produce robust strategies. The descriptions above merely demonstrate an overview of how airports approach weather conditions and their impact upon its performance and costs. That’s where BEQ can assist, working with airports in partnership to utilise hugely sophisticated weather management tools.