The AAS - Integrated Airport Apron Safety Fleet Management EU-project

The complementary enhancement of efficiency and safety of apron vehicle operations is the core objective of the AAS project (Integrated Airport Apron Safety Fleet Management), supported by the 7th Framework Program of the European Union. The result will be real-time assignment of staff, tasks and ground support equipment (GSE), running on the basis of geo-fencing and with access control for vehicles

Under the coordination of the Transport Technology Systems Network (TSB-FAV), part of the TSB Innovation Agency Berlin GmbH, a total of 12 European airport operators, ground handlers, research institutes, telematics and software companies are focusing on the development of a competitive system (AAS project) to monitor and control all apron movements.

German-based company INFORM will contribute its GroundStar real-time allocation system to this project. Using highly developed algorithms, GS RealTime assists the dispatcher in the deployment of staff and equipment and in the allocation of automatically generated tasks derived from current and upcoming flight events.
Furthermore, the AAS project will equip single vehicles with an On-Board-Unit which allows automatic transfer of telematics run time data from GSE-vehicles to GS RealTime.

This way detailed real-time statistics on various vehicle categories can be created for improved fleet management and effective maintenance planning thus helping to reduce the number of vehicles and equipment considered necessary to maintain a high level of service. 

With the use of geo-fencing, vehicles can be monitored and only allowed to move within a defined area, whilst electronic access ensures that authorised staff only uses such equipment. Additionally, automatic feedback to GS RealTime makes it possible to check the qualifications of the person to find out if they are qualified to operate the GSE. An electronic airport map showing current vehicle location and movements and highlighting where GSE is moving into restricted areas further enhances apron safety.

The project will last from 2008 – 2011, with a test installation at Porto Airport of ANA Aeroportos de Portugal and GlobeGround Berlin at Berlin-Tegel Airport by the end of 2009.

back