System designed to optimise utilisation of aircraft ground support equipment

Citation

(2008), "System designed to optimise utilisation of aircraft ground support equipment", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 80 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.2008.12780aad.020

System designed to optimise utilisation of aircraft ground support equipment

System designed to optimise utilisation of aircraft ground support equipment

I.D. Systems, Inc. a provider of wireless asset management solutions, has announced the launch of a new version of its patented Wireless Asset Net^® industrial vehicle management system for the aviation market. The new AvRampe system provides a combination of intelligent vehicle control, real-time asset visibility, directed workforce management, and cost-free wireless communications designed to optimise management of aircraft ground support vehicles and the people who operate them.

Streamlining operations, maximising productivity, and reducing costs are all primary concerns of airports, airlines, and ground handling companies. At the same time, improving service, safety, and security are also high priorities in the post-9/11 world. AvRamp™ impacts all of these areas – the system is designed to deliver effective, sustainable solutions that address operational problems, safety issues, and security concerns in the airport environment. As a result, I.D. Systems expects that the system will provide a rapid, compelling return on investment.

AvRampe is the culmination of approximately $6 million invested jointly by the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and I.D. Systems. The system has undergone thorough testing by the TSA and has been deployed at US Airports under the auspices of the Federal Aviation Administration.

Based on I.D. Systems' patented technology, which has been deployed on thousands of industrial vehicles – for many of the world's most prominent manufacturers and retailers – AvRampe is designed to optimise airport ground handling operations by:

• •

  minimising the quantity of ground support equipment needed in the airport operations area through unique measurements of, and controls over, vehicle utilisation;

• •

  helping ensure equipment is in the right place at the right time to minimise flight delays – no matter what flight schedule changes occur – by providing real-time visibility of vehicles and text communications with operators;

• •

  directing tasks to equipment operators with dynamic, automated work allocation tools, and analysing performance benchmarks;

• •

  reducing damage to aeroplanes and airport infrastructure caused by ground support vehicles through vehicle sensors and other operator accountability tools; and

• •

  providing a valuable layer of security in the airport operations area through remote vehicle access control, geo-fencing, and other

security risk mitigation tools.

I.D. Systems believes that, in addition to providing comprehensive operational functionality, AvRamp is unique in its ability to communicate an unlimited amount of wireless information between mobile equipment and management computers with zero ongoing radio frequency communication fees. This capability – called WiFree™ communications – can give AvRamp™ a cost advantage over competing systems that use cellular, subscription- based, mobile data services, like GPRS, or a licensed band in the radio frequency spectrum.

In addition to enabling unlimited, cost-free wireless data communications, the WiFree™ system has a longer transmission range than standard 802.11 wireless local area networks, and is designed not to interfere with other wireless systems. At the same time, unlike open 802.11 wireless networks, the WiFree™ system has a high level of inherent security – one key attribute that enabled the system to be deployed at US Navy and naval contractor facilities after undergoing a network security accreditation and certification process.

Details available from: I.D. Systems, Inc. Tel: +1 201 996 9000, Fax: +1 201 996 9144.