EUROCONTOL has now completed an extensive validation of the Advanced Surface Movement Guidance and Control System (A-SMGCS), and has found that it leads to significant improvements in the efficiency of…
EUROCONTOL has now completed an extensive validation of the Advanced Surface Movement Guidance and Control System (A-SMGCS), and has found that it leads to significant improvements in the efficiency of airport surface movements reducing accident rates by up to 50%.
A-SMGCS was first developed as a concept in the late 1980s as a response to the increase in airport traffic and runway incursions. It includes four main functions: surveillance (including position and identification of traffic), conflict detection, efficient routing and guidance. EUROCONTROL’s A-SMGCS project concentrates on providing improved situational awareness to controllers and helping them to detect runway incursions and other potentially dangerous situations. The validation of A-SMGCS has involved operational trials at five airports (Paris CDG, London Heathrow, Frankfurt, Vienna & Zurich) combined with real-time simulations. The trials have shown that A-SMCGS could enable a 50% reduction in accident rates in particular by helping controllers detect runway incursions and prevent collisions.
Following on from the trials, EUROCONTROL will present concepts and procedures for A-SMGCS to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) at the end of 2006. These will be supported by a generic Safety Case, a Human Factors Case and a Cost Benefit Assessment.
“We are very pleased that the results of the trials have been so positive,” said Paul Adamson, A-SMGCS Project Manager. “It means that we can now make clear proposals to ICAO for how to move forward with implementing this technology which will have clear safety benefits.”
Between 23 and 26 October 2006, EUROCONTROL will be hosting a workshop where the concepts, procedures and benefits of A-SMGCS will be presented to an audience of operational staff from ATC, airport operators and airlines. The event will focus on the benefits of A-SMGCS implementation and will look at future developments which may include fully integrated safety nets for controllers, pilots and vehicle drivers. The workshop also includes one day dedicated to runway safety, in particular the contents of the European Action Plan for the Prevention of Runway Incursions, as well as an industry exhibition that gives attendees the opportunity to learn about A-SMGCS and runway safety-related systems.
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