Month: December 2022

The internationally recognized football event is taking place in Qatar throughout November and December, which means that the world is looking toward Qatar to deliver an excellent experience for football fans both at home and in the stadiums. The event is a chance for the country to showcase its brilliance, but it can only do this if we work to make the World Cup as safe as possible. Qatar’s airports need to be ready for such a sharp rise in passengers, and staff members must know how they can respond to any incidents as they emerge.

Without the right approach, this event could wreak havoc upon the country’s airports, making it a big task with plenty of room for error. Staff at these venues must be aware of the many possibilities and incidents that could develop, including queues and congestion, to rowdy behaviour and even possible security threats. Airports are constantly in motion, meaning they can benefit from a centralised system which catalogues potential incidents and allows staff to instantly reallocate any available resources.

Enter Saab

This is where Saab’s Total Airport Management (TAM) comes into play, providing a robust, centralised solution where raw data becomes the foundation of the airport’s operational strategy. An integrated communication platform gives the facility’s Command and Control Centre a clear picture of everything that’s going on in the building, as well as generating a playbook to handle a litany of potential incidents. This lets the airport run more efficiently, with an increase in productivity and a reduction in delays, as well as peace of mind for everyone.

How does TAM work?

Total Airport Management begins with the planes that arrive at the airport; some of these might have a delay due to factors outside the airport’s control, while others might be carrying VIPs such as celebrities. With a strong communication system, the airport can determine how to allocate its resources, and gates, to get everybody where they need to be as quickly as possible. Baggage handling and refuelling teams, for example, can do their jobs a lot better if they have a clearer picture of when and where a flight will land.

Customs and security are the next stages where TAM revolutionises the experience, providing greater awareness of the terminals and available CCTV cameras. If there are delays with aircraft, this lets staff coordinate a response to handle the influx by opening more terminals and increasing security to limit the chances of an incident. For a medical emergency, the TAM system keeps a record of important items such as defibrillators and makes it easier for staff to know when to call an ambulance. Total Airport Management is an essential investment, one which only gets better over time, as the system analyses data to assess how the airport could improve.

Security is a major concern for any worldwide event, making it vital that airports take a holistic approach. With a Saab Total Airport Management system, you can guarantee that your airport’s stakeholders have a complete picture of everything they need to know.

Airports are a part of all major (and now not so major) cities. Every year, millions of people pass through the gates of Hamad International Airport. Over the course of the past century, commercial flights and air travel have been democratized and adapted for the average consumer, while their cost has been, in many ways, reduced. This led to the flourishing of the tourism industry and, logically, to a higher demand on civil aviation.

While a common traveler may take the airport structure and conveniences for granted – largely thanks to this accessibility – it is important to remember that the air hubs have been equipped with a plethora of technological systems that help render travel safe, quick, and pleasant.

Communication and passenger operations

Missing a flight or a gate number is a bad idea. Fortunately, with enough attention and a sufficient time baggage, it is almost impossible nowadays, thanks to the advanced information display systems. The inner signage of the airport is omnipresent, accessible, and easy to read.

And in case one is late to their flight, advanced check-in, passenger tacking and counting systems have the travelers’ backs.

In very rare and unlikely occurrences, certain scenarios may temper with a smooth ground-to-flight transition. If ever an emergency, such as a fire, takes place on the airport grounds, its infrastructure will help alert and evacuate all the passengers and staff in due time. This is done through fire alarm and suppression systems, such as FAS and FM200.

Runway and flight solutions

Communication must be maintained not only inside the airport, but between airplanes and operators. All aircrafts should arrive on the time, air traffic must be managed, and landing and takeoff must be carried out as smoothly as possible. A timely transfer is an essential component for all these operations.

Therefore, modern airports use an entire array of solutions, such as clear runway signage, RADAR and radio-based equipment to communicate with the arriving and departing planes, as well as to give the latter clear indications about the directions they are to take.

But good communication alone isn’t enough to ensure the safe and steady passage of the flight. Meteorological and environmental conditions could impact landing and takeoff. Birds that could get in the way need to be chased off, while weather control solutions could be used to modify precipitation to a certain extent. The presence of debris may also affect clearance for airplanes. Therefore, Foreign Object and Detection systems for Runways such as Xsight have been put in place in airports, including HIA. This infrastructure helps promptly detect the location of a foreign object in question, while also alerting and archiving the data about its presence in its subsystems. The coverage of the infrastructure extends to all taxiways and runways, allowing for a much more comprehensive analysis of the plane’s on-ground and aerial environment.

Latest Solutions

It is also important to keep in mind that every year, new and updated technology appears on the market. With each innovation, each optimization, the functioning of the airport improves. Equipment such as advanced baggage handling has been an excellent helper in reducing baggage loss during transfer.

The digitalization of our daily activities has also left its mark on the airport handling, as, nowadays, it is possible to check in online, avoiding the stress and boredom of waiting in long lines. Some other new technologies have specifically been designed to answer the challenges of the big changes in global trends. The coronavirus pandemic, for one, had an immense impact to the traditional travel guidelines. Airports around the world required their passengers and staff to have a certain body temperature and no symptoms of the Covid-19 infection. A solution to this issue has been brought in the form of body-scan cameras, scattered around airports, such as the ones in Qatar International Airport. This modern equipment allowed for precise and rapid body temperature measurements. Even outside of the pandemic context, body scan cameras are a welcome and needed addition to the airport arsenal, as they may help detect dangerously high temperatures on time, potentially saving lives.

If you are a fan of the multiverse and the AI, this next solution may be your favorite! Currently, augmented reality (AR) equipment is being developed for airport use, and no, it isn’t about chasing Pokémon. AR is thought to help travelers navigate the air hubs – especially those on a larger scale – with more ease. The computer-generated directions and tips that one will see in their respective equipment will be tied to their preferences and needs and could save a lot of time when finding restrooms or a sought gate.

These solutions by no means resume the entire range of what has already integrated and what is being developed for the air hubs. One thing is for sure: these systems are an immense help to the travelers and the airport staff.

Bayanat Engineering Qatar, a company that has experience and proposes a wide range of these and other aviation solutions. Visit website at
bayanatengineering.qa

Congratulations are in order as the State of Qatar has held a successful – state of the art event for the World Cup 2022 and it has been certainly fascinating to observe the preparations, development, and successful implementation of the World Cup from amazing start to the triumphant finish. Extraordinary experience from the host country for the international arena has added significance to portray themselves as major travel, entertainment, and investments destination.

Envision the future occasions happening here – example would be the Asian Cup that is awarded in Qatar for 2023 and the remarkable experience is going to deliver for it. This impeccable performance and stellar organisation by all entities involved have proven that the country and the nation are committed for growth and 2030 vision. This implies further progress, higher demand for additional advancement, diverse entertainment, and travel opportunities for even the most sophisticated tourists and investors. All of which requires tremendous effort to achieve spectacular outcome – and has been proven with the World Cup and continues to develop in all the sectors.

Stellar performance has launched opportunities for further prospects, yet the technology, infrastructure and all the advancement across all the areas is here to stay, improve and expand for years to come. It is undeniably a gain for the country and its population that the event of the international magnitude has been held.

Progress does not stop there – as we are getting ready to host the Asian Cup that is awarded, as well as to host the international events that have been occurring in Qatar – such as Total Open, MotoGP and other. This sufficiently benefits the progress, which will continue to proceed.

The successful hosting of the World Cup has certainly been a positive development for the Middle East region. It has shown the region from a different, and more positive light, as a place that can host a global event of such magnitude. It has also aided to stimulate the economy and provided the region with a platform to showcase its culture and hospitality. Moreover, preparation for the occasion has also highlighted the importance of investing in infrastructure and technology, which is something that other countries in the region can learn from.

“Bayanat Engineering Qatar is proud to have been a part of such a marvelous event and part of the preparations that have led to it. We congratulate The State of Qatar and His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on such a triumph and wish further events of that magnitude to be held in the country to show the capabilities and more by the thorough preparations that have been taken place in development arrangements. We do believe that the progress will continue as there are upcoming events to be held, as well as the growth of tourism that will follow by such a magnificent occasion.

We do believe in success that will follow the country after delivering such a superb performance. Yes, Qatar has made a significant investment in developing the country for the World Cup, but this is far from over.

It is also set to host a Formula 1 Sprint venue in 2023, the 2025 World Table Tennis Championship, and the 2030 Asian Games, contributing to 2030 vision.

All these events require a great deal of investment, both in terms of infrastructure and other services, and all entities have made sure to make the necessary investments to ensure that each event is a success.

This is a testament to Qatar’s commitment to development and growth, and it will certainly benefit the country in the long run.”

The challenge
Climate change is bringing challenges for everyone, and this is especially true for the meteorology sector. There have been twice as many weather-related deaths in the past ten years than in the 1980s, and with adverse weather events becoming more and more common, forecasting and responding to issues before they worsen is getting more important. For example, knowing about hurricanes with even more advanced warning gives people enough time to get to safety, limiting the human cost of some of the most severe adverse weather events.

Why improve these systems?
Improving the meteorological infrastructure does more than simply theoretical good, but has a major impact on some key metrics. For example, better forecasting can save thousands of lives, and businesses have far less downtime as a result of being able to prepare. Every mitigation of adverse weather provides thousands of hours of human productivity, which drives sectors such as agriculture, traffic and energy forward. With the most advanced insights, we can even make a difference in the rate of climate change across the world.

Vaisala is a weather observation organisation that is recognised as a world leader. With over 25 offices on every inhabited continent, Vaisala is offering a holistic approach that improves meteorological services and builds stability and security in the meteorological infrastructure.

The holistic process
There are six steps in Vaisala’s Meteorological Infrastructure and Capability Development (MICD) process. These are:
– Weather: Weather events start to occur, with some patterns recognisable from past events taking place in weather fronts.
– Observing: Observation systems take on the data from these fronts, including wind profiling and precipitation measurements.
– Forecasting: Using this data as a tool for creating accurate forecasts.
– Communication: Contacting and warning any potentially affected parties about the impending weather front and events.
– Action: Third-parties take action to protect their lives and their property.
– Value: The third party ends the process with greater value than if there was no intervention from the system.

Integrating all of these aspects of forecasting and meteorology into one system ensures that meteorologists are able to make a significant impact on people’s lives in a relatively short period of time.

What does Vaisala do?
Vaisala offers weather observation teams all of the tools they need for this cycle. This includes all of the necessary observation technology, along with solutions that are designed for the most challenging of environments. Not only does Vaisala offer the equipment, but logistical support is in place for the planning of your meteorological infrastructure.

These impacts have already been demonstrated around the world. For example, in the Bahamas, Vaisala supported the improvement of the observation network, developed better forecasting for the region and trained staff on all of the right devices. This support means that the islands are far less vulnerable to adverse weather events in comparison to their past experiences.

If you’re interested in installing meteorological systems, get in touch with the Bayanat Engineering Qatar team today to find out more about our services and how we can support your facility in any meteorology needs.

As ticket sales to the Qatar World Cup hit three million, Frequentis and Bayanat Engineering Qatar explain how scaling up control rooms is the answer to effectively supporting both planned and unplanned events.

Large, planned events, such as the World Cup, are exciting occasions that draw millions of people to one place, but this can have immense pressure on national infrastructure and emergency services. Qatar prepared its already extensive public infrastructure to handle the extra 80,000 visitors to the country in November 2021 for the Formula 1 Qatar Grand Prix, with investment continuing to support the millions of visitors expected to attend the World Cup, as ticket sales hit three million.

Scaling up

Qatar relies on its emergency service control rooms every day, not just before large, planned events. It ensures that emergency services are dispatched to where they need to be, in Doha and beyond, quickly, providing everything from firefighting to healthcare, as well as directing police around the busiest parts of Qatar. But during a large event, or a national crisis, extra resources are needed to immediately react to the additional critical communication needs. The Olympics and the G7 summits are just two planned events that were supported by the Frequentis multimedia communication solution which was extended with additional controller working positions to handle the increased demand.

The Frequentis solution enables agency operators to manage emergency incidents from any location, allowing organisations to scale up their operations beyond the physical borders of their control room estate.

The solution is the Frequentis 3020 LifeX, which is built on an open platform, designed to integrate seamlessly with a wide range of critical information and communication systems via common industry standards like NG999, MCX (mission critical data), VoIP (voice over IP), WebChat etc. This supports a path to a true next generation communication system, which enables members of the public to engage with the police, fire and ambulance, not only by phone but also by SMS, mobile messaging apps, pictures and video calls.

This communication solution is enriched with Bayanat Engineering Qatar’s selection of technical solutions available for control rooms. Comprehensive surveillance systems, including CCTV, are ideal for maintaining order throughout a tournament the size of the World Cup, and also for locating any potential medical issues amongst a crowd.

Be prepared

Qatar itself has earned a lot of praise for its role in preparing for the World Cup 2022 hiring more staff to provide the flexibility to manage the event and influx of people during this period.

Frequentis and Bayanat Engineering Qatar provide the required flexible and resilient solution to match this demand. While scaled up for the World Cup 2022 event, it can be scaled down after this large event and be ready to be quickly scaled up again in response to sudden unplanned events. By enabling this kind of flexibility these solutions enable public safety organisations world-wide to save money while still providing the additional capacity when it is most needed to save lives and maintain public order.