Social media monitoring tech – in public safety

Social media monitoring is extremely advantageous to have in our lives for public safety reasons. The latest technologies make it easy to identify issues relating to public safety in real time on social media platforms.

The relevant authorities can monitor and respond to emergencies when required by detecting meaningful patterns and trends in the information flow and streams of messages. They can identify events through significant spikes in activity and the meanings can be determined by changes in content.
Social media monitoring technology can be used by the police, government officials, community organisations, businesses and the general public to improve public safety and well-being.

Communication is the key

Social media enables us to stay in touch and relay information to the people we choose. Communication is the key to our well-being and today’s social media platforms have become increasingly versatile and powerful.

The latest evolution in social media monitoring technology enables authorities and companies to listen to the general chatter found online. It can be used a means of communicating important information to the public in a direct and personal way.

Crisis alerts

Recognising a potential crisis, alerting the public and putting the relevant emergency measures in place is one way social media can aid public safety.

The most widespread social media tools are Facebook and Twitter, with 2.91 billion and 237.8 million users respectively. These two channels alone have had a central role in monitoring world events, such as the London riots, the northern Africa revolutions and the nuclear accident and tsunami in Japan.

Social media was used by citizens for organising and spreading information, while it was also a vital communication link and major source of information for emergency services managers. Communicating in real-time enabled rescue efforts to focus on the right places.

Emergency management

Europe has several different technical systems in place for emergency management. These include satellite-based warning systems, high-level strategic and organisational systems, sirens and automated emergency messages. Social media complements these physical systems to communicate crisis information to the wider population.

Crisis communication strategies are vital for every organisation, private or governmental. Best practices during a crisis include using social media technology aligned with overall crisis communication strategies.

Disaster relief

A recent study into using social media monitoring to aid disaster relief found it was generally considered an effective platform to improve awareness among communities.

Emergency responders use social media to tailor crisis information to address people’s needs and to understand the sentiments of communities. In doing so, the information they provide can mitigate rumours and dispel panic.

Regardless of the official authorities’ presence on social media platforms, the public can keep up the conversation about the crisis or emergency. This can then be flagged up to the relevant organisations to give them real-time updates.

Importance of reliable sources

A warning from a credible source, such as a government department, or the emergency services, will have a greater impact that general chatter. This is why it’s crucial that official bodies make use of social media monitoring technology to focus on what’s happening in the world.

If a source isn’t considered as reliable and the appropriate authorities haven’t picked up on what is genuine news and added their weight to the information, people tend to doubt its authenticity.

When the content is from a reliable organisation and addresses factors such as the time, location, impact and magnitude of an event, the public are more likely to believe the message and will become motivated to take protective action.

Social media monitoring technology is an important part of our lives for public safety reasons and should be embraced and developed.

How social media monitoring technology improves public safety in the aviation industry

Communication is key in our modern society, with social media platforms making it easier than ever to stay in touch and relay information to the people you want. This is equally true for the aviation industry, which has a duty of care to its passengers and the general public. To facilitate this duty, the aviation industry benefits greatly from social media as a way to communicate with passengers and the public.

The aviation industry and social media

During social media’s infancy, many airline companies used this platform as a complaints handling system. Disgruntled airline passengers would take to social media platforms like Twitter to complain about poor service or an issue during the flight. Social media culture has changed significantly since then, and social media platforms have become more powerful and versatile in their application.

Social media monitoring technology is the latest evolution in social media, and it allows companies to listen to the chatter found online. Moreover, social media monitoring can be used as a way to communicate with passengers and the public in a more direct way.

Helping prepare for disruptions

Social media monitoring can be an excellent tool for the aviation industry to predict and prepare for disruptions in travel. British Airways left passengers irate in 2019 after an IT error at Gatwick Airport caused significant delays and flight cancellations. Passengers were quick to take to social media to air their grievances with the company.

However, this fracas could have been avoided if British Airways used social media monitoring to analyse and track the complaints on social media. If complaints start to develop online in a public space, social media monitoring can alert airline companies to the growing frustrations and deploy an emergency response procedure. This should focus on public relations and requires expert social media communication to dispel the complaints.

Real-time flight tracking and alerts

One of the most common challenges facing the aviation industry is cancellations and amendments to flight schedules at short notice. This is an everyday occurrence that could potentially result in complaints, confusion and chaos at airports. Cancellations or amendments to flights can occur for many internal and external reasons – from bad weather to staff shortages.

The aviation industry can benefit greatly from using social media to inform their passengers about any upcoming delays or cancellations in real-time.

Although this doesn’t provide a complete fix to the problem, many passengers will see these notifications with enough time to amend their travel plans. Real-time social media responses can empower the aviation industry with a way to communicate in real-time about things like weather updates and changes to flights.

As we develop more useful ways to communicate through social media, the aviation industry could stand to benefit from these innovations. From providing accurate, real-time information to passengers about flight changes to keeping passengers informed about technical difficulties, social media can be an incredibly powerful tool. Moreover, it brings passengers and airlines closer together which can improve trust levels with airlines.

If you would like to learn more about how social media monitoring technology improves public safety in various industries – do not hesitate to contact Bayanat Engineering Qatar for information or go to our website.

Buoys – what are they and what are they used for?

Buoys are floating objects anchored at specific locations to assist maritime navigation and safety in oceans, lakes, water channels and rivers. There are various different types of buoys, each with its own purpose.

Harbour masters, mariners and other seafarers have relied on navigation aids for safe sea journeys for centuries. The history of buoys dates back to the 13th century. Their design over the years has developed from a basic wooden raft into today’s high-tech maritime tools.

History of buoys

The first buoys were used in the Guadalquivir River in Spain in the 13th century, according to the 1295 mariners’ handbook, La Compasso de Navigare. The guide contained details of sea routes and approaches for boats around the Iberian Peninsula.

Basic buoys that were simply wooden rafts were used to direct vessels attempting to access Sevilla. A buoy was recorded on the nautical chart, Lo Compasso De Navegare, detailing Mediterranean Sea routes in 1296.

Thirty years later, historical literature detailed the use of buoys in the Zuider Zee, a North Sea bay used by ships sailing to Amsterdam and other European ports. These comprised a hollow drum bound with iron bands and secured by chains tied to a heavy stone.

While the early buoys provided a navigational service in daylight hours only, experiments began in the 19th century to find other ways of highlighting the buoys’ location, even at night. Bell buoys that made a clanging sound as they moved in the waves were developed.

Patented in 1876, US Lighthouse Society member John Courtenay’s groundbreaking whistle buoy contained a hollow tube with a whistle attached on top. As the buoy moved, air was forced up the tube and produced a whistling sound.

Uses of modern buoys

The capabilities of today’s modern buoys have far exceeded their predecessors. The three different types of buoy are used for navigation, mooring and data platforms. They guide and warn seafarers, mark the position of a submerged object and moor vessels before they drop anchor.

Two international systems mark channels and submerged hazards. Both systems use buoys of standardised shapes and colours to highlight safe passageways. In addition, special-purpose buoys including anchor buoys, cable buoys and race buoys have various uses.

Mooring buoys differ from other types, as they are a point where vessels can be tied up. The mooring buoy is secured to a group of permanent anchors by a heavy chain. It is a connecting link between the boat and the anchors. A moored vessel needs less space to swing with the tide and wind than a vessel at anchor.

The purpose of data buoys is to support, power and protect a number of sensors that measure water conductivity, depth, temperature, pH, chlorophyll A, dissolved oxygen and turbidity for scientific purposes.

Solar light-up buoys

The latest 21st-century innovations include solar light-up buoys to aid navigation. Solar power is used to light the buoys, which are made in a variety of colours. The rechargeable solar light engine illuminates several bright LED lights so the buoy can be seen after dark.

They can be used to mark the location of a pier or dock. Their bright LED glow means they are visible for up to half a nautical mile away. The solar sea buoys are a fine example of modern marine technology. They are an eco-friendly option due to being solar-powered.

The latest buoys have come a long way since the wooden raft structures of the 13th century, but one thing remains the same: they are still the road signs of water more than 700 years after their invention.

If you would like to learn more about the marine buoys and other marine solutions – go to Bayanat Engineering Qatar website bayanatengineering.qa to learn more about solutions that can help your organization.

How revolutionising security systems inside airports improves the customer journey

It’s undeniable that airports are key targets for those who want to cause harm. Because of this, security must remain stringent at several stages throughout the passenger’s journey. From the moment they step through the door, multiple airport staff play a role in keeping both the airside and landside areas safe. Those same activities also ensure aircraft remain safe as they move through the airspace.

While airport security won’t go away any day soon, there is room for improvement. Revolutionising security systems inside airports is achievable. Here are some areas airports could focus on.

Optimise Baggage Screening
Effective baggage screening is necessary but can act as a point of frustration for passengers. They’re aware that their journey to the aircraft is time-sensitive, and inefficient screening acts as a bottleneck that slows them down.

Adopting new screening technologies ensures that bags are scanned faster but with the same diligence. By steering away from traditional x-ray solutions, those who work in security lanes can reduce their manual input. With less manual input, it’s possible to screen baggage while remaining compliant with international regulations. Passengers experience fewer frustrations while continuing to benefit from a safe environment.

Identify Passenger Bottlenecks
Passenger bottlenecks act as security risks for several reasons. First, they act as a point of frustration. If the congestions results in a passenger missing their final call to the gate, they may become aggressive towards airport staff. In areas such as border control, they can result in staff becoming overworked. When staff fatigue sets in, they’re less likely to perform at peak efficiency.

Passenger tracking systems identify where they are occurring. As overcrowding begins to build, those who work in airport operations can receive notifications that allow them to act. Having information on these situations makes it easier to deploy staff appropriately. It also allows airport operations managers to gather data that helps them plan future staffing levels and prevent problematic incidents. Overall, this also contributes to passengers enjoying a timely and pleasant journey through the airport.

Efficient Queue Management Systems
Few people enjoy queuing. Again, due to the time-sensitive nature of airports, queues can soon cause frustration to build among passengers. Poorly managed queues can have an adverse effect on staff too. For example, if those who need to go airside to perform their duties face long queues, they’re likely to be late for said duties. This could result in a lack of necessary staff airside during key points of the day, making the customer experience unpleasant for passengers.

Advanced queue management systems allow operations managers to make predictions. With those predictions, they can staff areas adequately and reduce the number of excessive queues generated throughout the day. They also alert operations managers as to when they need to redeploy staff and offer extra support to areas where employees need to go airside. From a security perspective, this ensures that queues are still managed in accordance with IATA regulations. When it comes to keeping passengers happy, efficient queues ensure that everyone reaches where they need to be in order for airport services to run smoothly.

Revolutionising security systems inside airports is about much more than staying safe. With the right approach, you can heighten passenger satisfaction too. To discuss ways to revolutionise your airport’s security systems, contact us for an expert consultation or visit our website bayanatengineering.qa for more information.

What is GPS, and how does navigation work?

Navigations and systems such as GPS are fundamental parts of ensuring an effective airport. After all, planes use GPS to get to the right location and broadcast where they are, and effective navigation means that aircraft plan the most efficient routes possible. Learn more about what GPS is, how navigation works and some of the systems and solutions in the navigation process at an airport.

What is GPS?
GPS stands for global positioning system and was initially a system that the United States military developed to increase the accuracy of its targeting systems. This meant more accurate positioning of aerial bombardments and artillery. In the years since, GPS has become an important tool for members of the general public, providing people with real-time tracking of their own location.

GPS works by sending signals into space, with three satellites or more returning the signal and triangulating the location of the device to a more specific location. The use of satellites makes this an accurate form of tracking in all environments, with devices such as cell towers being almost useless in remote environments such as forests and deserts. On the contrary, satellites have excellent access and visibility across the entire planet.

How does navigation work?
Navigation at an airport works in a unique manner, with different systems and solutions depending on the range and objectives of each system. These include:
Non Directional Beacon (NDB)

A non-directional beacon, or NDB, is a system that sounds out a message to a specific range away from the airport. Pilots use this information to understand where they are and to cross-reference between the satellite-based navigation systems that they use and the real world. The beacon is an ideal method of ensuring that you are where the map says you are, with beacons informing pilots of details such as the airport emitting the beacon and some of the conditions within the range of the beacon, assisting pilots that are landing.

TACAN (Tactical Air Navigation)
TACAN is a form of RADAR navigation system that uses high-frequency signals and their reflections to understand the distance and bearing of an aircraft from a ground station. With several ground stations in place, airports and other authorities have a higher chance of triangulating the specific location of the aircraft rather than a single idea of the distance and bearing. More stations mean higher precision and greater certainty of where aircraft are in the sky. This helps airports track traffic and plan for landings.

Visual Guidance Docking System (VDGS)
The Visual Guidance Docking System, or VDGS, is a system that supports planes in the final phases of their approach. Once a plane has completed its journey, it uses a series of lights and signs to carefully approach the terminal, docking without the risk of causing any damage to the airport itself or the plane. These lights provide pilots with guidance even in dark or foggy conditions, keeping passengers safe and reducing any potential for confusion on the pilot’s end.

If you have an interest in learning more about navigation systems and installing them in an airport, contact the Bayanat Engineering Qatar team today to find out more and visit our website at https://www.bayanatengineering.qa/.

People counting systems and crowd monitoring

When running any large organization, balancing the size of your operation and the people using it is a necessity. For locations such as airport, this includes using thorough people counting systems and crowd monitoring solutions. Find out more about what people counting and crowd monitoring are, the benefits of these systems and how airports implement them in day-to-day operations.

What is people counting and crowd monitoring?

People counting refers to systems that airports and other large facilities use to track the number of people in a space. This is a relatively simple process, using AI as a means of tracking the number of people entering the airport by counting the number of boarding passes accepted and counting passengers that leave through the air. This includes both counting individuals in the group and “crowd counting”, which is a method of estimating the number of people through recognizable body features.

Crowd monitoring slightly differs, instead focusing on the way that a crowd behaves and moves. This means that an airport has the right security provision in the right place at the right time, reducing the risk of people causing harm to one another through overcrowding and other related issues.

Technology used in people counting and crowd monitoring

There is a selection of technology that organizations use in the people counting and crowd monitoring processes. These include:

CCTV

CCTV is one of the simpler methods of using crowd monitoring. This is a series of cameras that show security and logistics teams the entire airport, providing instant access to an idea of the levels of footfall that the airport is experiencing at any one time. CCTV is prevalent in businesses and premises of all kinds, which makes it a highly flexible method of counting people and monitoring the size of crowds as they move and develop throughout the day.

Monitoring crowds is impossible without seeing them, and organizations see crowds with ease when using CCTV.

Queue Management Systems (QMS)

Queue management systems play an underlying role in monitoring and controlling the number of people in a set area at any one point. For example, one kiosk with a large queue receives a significant number of customers, and upon seeing this amount of customers the organization opens more kiosks. This is a method of diluting the excess pressure on individuals and bottlenecks in the organization, increasing efficiency and significantly reducing the density of crowds.

Guidance signage

Guidance signage sees use at the very end of the process. Airports and other facilities use guidance signage to guide people to the right location, such as signage that shows passengers where their next flight is and exactly when the flight is due. Monitoring crowds and then implementing systems to control them keeps the people in the airport as safe as possible, preventing dangerous crushes and guaranteeing a more comfortable experience.

If your organization has any interest in making use of people counting systems and crowd monitoring, contact Bayanat Engineering Qatar to find out more about how to count the people within your premises and how to monitor and manage large crowds on our website https://www.bayanatengineering.qa/.

Waste management, why it’s important and how it works

Whether you’re overseeing the operation of a company or an entire city, waste management is paramount. Waste management has an impact on many parts of our lives, including public health and cleanliness. Read on to find out more about waste management, its importance and how it works.

What is waste management?

Waste management refers to the process of ensuring that all waste is disposed of safely and responsibly. This includes organising the right machinery to deal with the waste, organising the rotas and schedules of waste management staff and establishing a logistical chain that disposes of all waste in the most appropriate manner. Waste might refer to a wide range of materials, products, and items, including packaging and food waste to industrial and mechanical waste.

Why is waste management important?

Waste management is important for several reasons, the first of which is that it keeps premises and public areas clean and tidy. A clean and tidy environment is where people want to be, so locations with good waste management will benefit from more tourism. This is the case in Qatar, which has focused greatly on public improvement in upcoming events.

Another significant benefit of waste management is that public health improves. Consider a factory, for example. Good waste management means that excess chemicals and materials are taken away from the factory floor, which reduces the risk of accidents on the property and increases the health of workers that spend less time next to waste. But waste that is disposed of safely also means that fewer chemicals are being released into the atmosphere and fewer new products are being manufactured, reducing the amount of pollution in the air.

How does waste management work?

The way that waste management works can vary depending on the type of waste in question. For the sake of this example, we’ll discuss general waste such as litter and rubbish. The first step in this waste management process is gathering the waste. In public, councils and authorities place bins on streets to collect people’s waste, encouraging them to dispose of it responsibly rather than dropping it on the ground. This significantly speeds the process up, as the public does a large part of the job out of civic pride.

After this point comes the logistics. This includes having staff members empty the bins and then transport all waste to the relevant recycling centers. Once the waste has been sorted, all recyclable waste will be distributed and reused, while the remainder will end up in landfill. While this isn’t ideal, the amount of waste being dumped in landfill has significantly dropped in recent years.

Waste management technologies in airports

Airports make use of several waste management technologies. By balancing these technologies, airports become completely clean environments and remove the risk of contamination on the property and make the quality of life within the airport far higher. Some of these technologies include:

Airport design and consultancy

The focus of the inside of an airport’s design makes a significant difference to the standard of waste management inside the airport. Airports are reliant on having plenty of receptacles in place for people to use when disposing of waste, and the earliest stages of design are an ideal point for this. By planning ahead of time for basic utilities such as waste management solutions, airports increase their chances of resolving waste management issues quickly. This is also the case in any further redesigns and when planning any and all adjustments to terminals, with waste playing a significant role in the way that people perceive airport terminals.

CCTV systems and sensors

Knowing exactly where waste is and the role it plays throughout the airport is an underlying feature of the waste management process. Understanding waste’s location means that the airport sends maintenance people out to the right places at the right times, and having items such as weight sensors in receptacles means that airports know when individual bins are full. This is ideal for airports at peak traffic times, as having a rota in place may not be enough to empty bins at the right time. Introduce smart technology and solutions into the waste management process and gain a significant competitive edge.

Maintenance staff

More effective use of maintenance staff is one of the most significant tools an airport has available to it. Maintenance crews are responsible for completing some of the more important tasks in the airport, which includes maintaining a pleasant atmosphere for all of the passengers that are taking flights that day. By working in tandem with other systems, maintenance crews react to waste accumulation and collect it, removing it from public spaces and keeping the terminal clean and tidy throughout busy traffic.

If you’re interested in learning more about how waste management systems work and how to apply them in a range of organisations, contact the Bayanat Engineering Qatar team today. We offer a number of services that can support industries in Qatar and beyond to learn more you can visit our website.

Communications in the military

Military is a serious business. Protecting the population and defending the country is not a simple task. It requires meticulous and timely responses, to prevent threats and execute tasks efficiently. For this, impeccable communication is primordial. The principle lies at the very core of the military training. Army professionals are, therefore, specifically instructed in communicating and transmitting information in a rapid, accurate and prompt manner.

However, essential human training is only a part of the equation of a correctly executed military operation. Nowadays, the army cannot function without specific and specialized technologies that will inevitably facilitate the task of information transmission and, by extent, improve the chances of a mission’s success. Therefore, many of the most efficient communication technologies have initially been created and developed for the army.

It is no secret that the military uses RADAR in many of its communication technologies, namely those specialized on detection.

On such tool is Identification, friend, or foe, more commonly referred to as IFF. It helps determine whether an aircraft is an enemy vehicle, even if it’s not in the visual range. Powerful and efficient, its origins stem from World War II. The principle is based on a signal transmission between the emitter and the flying object. The emission happens via a transponder, whose radar frequency reaches that of the target broadcaster. If the latter’s own frequency matches the emitter, it is considered friendly. If, however, the returning signal is unrecognizable, the aircraft is considered as a foe. In addition to identifying the nature of the broadcaster, the technology also determines its bearing and range. This technology is primordial in preventing threats in due time, thanks to its ability to detect the nature of the incoming airplane even before it reaches the site of the pilot.

Another very efficient and common technology used in the military is the UHF/VHF Radio communications. Several of its existing channels are dedicated purely to military use nowadays. This equipment is used to transmit messages over high ranges and long distances. Specifically, it is used for coordinating aircrafts from afar, mapping out their plan of action for the incoming operation, whether it be staying put, attacking, or changing course.

But UHF/VHF communications aren’t the only way to communicate with the airborne objects. In fact, air-to-ground communications has been constantly developing since its introduction to aerial warfare. Most recently, these technologies have implemented satellite signals in signal transmission and reception. Satellites are not merely used in GPS navigation but have also been an essential addition to accurate and timely military communication. They can transmit very accurate information about the object in question, such as its position. This is essential for an effective military operation, as it is deviating by even a degree from the right course can result in a vast difference over large distances.

Communications equipment in the military is numerous and varied and is by no means summarized by the technologies mentioned in this article. Its success in warfare has given way to its introduction into the civil aviation. Readapted for commercial and private flights, the same communications equipment is now used in everyday flights, all around the world.

To learn more about how the civil aviation makes use of these and many other technologies, visit www.bayanatengineering.qa. Bayanat Engineering is a Qatari company, specialized in solutions for oil and gas industry, military, and civil aviation. Their high-end systems are developed for a range of clients and purposes and have been largely employed in Qatar’s various infrastructures and industries.

A holistic approach to large event security with Saab

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.

Solutions in the airport

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