TSA using robots to help screen bags at Love Field

17 April 201822 July 2022 Karima Kouidri

The Transportation Security Administration is now using robotic carts at Dallas Love Field to make screening suspicious bags more efficient.

DALLAS—The Transportation Security Administration is now using robotic carts at Dallas Love Field to make screening suspicious bags more efficient.
According to the TSA’s website, 1.3 million checked bags are screened across the country each day.
Officers inspect those bags because something inside triggered an alarm during initial scans.

At Dallas Love Field, if a bag triggers an alarm—it gets to meet some new artificial intelligence.

Since November, TSA officers have been utilizing robotic tables (mobile inspection tables) to help them screen and inspect luggage.

The tables move on a magnetic track and take suspicious bags to stations where officers are standing, so they can be searched for any illegal items.

Once a bag clears inspection or prohibited items are removed, it’s put back on the robotic table which then dumps the bag back onto a conveyor belt that leads to its plane.

Before, officers would just yank suspicious bags off of those belts. With the new robots, the TSA says work injuries may be a thing of the past.

“You can imagine working a shift down here would be very exhausting,” Assistant Federal Security Director of Screening Jeffrey Tyler said.

“We’re not lifting, pushing, or even pulling the bag.”

Tyler said that the robotic tables also cut down on luggage backups during heavy travel days, putting the bags in a queue instead of forcing officers to just deal with them as they come.

He said that the system was initially implemented before Thanksgiving and Christmas of last year and was a major help.

“It gives us plenty of time and opportunity to clear that bag efficiently and effectively—and send it on for travel,” Tyler said.

Chris Perry, Dallas Love Field’s Communications Manager, told WFAA that the airport deals with 15,000 to 16,000 bookings a day.

It’s the first airport to use this kind of automation to screen all checked bags.

Detroit Metropolitan Airport and Cleveland Hopkins International Airport use the robotic tables too, but not for all terminals.

“If we can get those bags through safely and efficiently, we’re always happy to do that,” Perry said.

To be able to say that we have robots moving bags around, that’s the fun part for us.”

Perry couldn’t go into exact costs for the tables because he said the system was purchased as part of the Love Field Modernization Program.

He stressed that any money the airport uses comes from its enterprise fund—and not the city’s general fund.

source : https://tinyurl.com/yddb34da

Airports Turn to Smart Windows to Improve Passenger Experience

17 April 2018 Karima Kouidri

New study demonstrates View Dynamic Glass improves airport passenger experience;

increases revenue; reduces operational expenses.

View®, the leader in dynamic glass, today announced the results of a study on the impact of in-terminal passenger experience and its correlation to higher revenues and reduced operational expenses. The study, conducted at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), found that terminal windows fitted with View Dynamic Glass overwhelmingly improved passenger comfort over conventional glass, resulting in an 83 percent increase in passenger dwell time at a preferred gate seat and a 102 percent increase in concession spending. The research study was conducted by DFW Airport, View, Inc., and an independent aviation market research group.

“DFW is the world’s largest carbon neutral airport, and we are constantly evaluating new technologies and solutions throughout the airport to identify improvements for customer experience and sustainability,” said Sean Donohue, CEO at DFW Airport. “The results of this study confirm that dynamic glass can reduce cooling costs and support DFW’s commitment to minimize our carbon footprint. We were very pleased to see the positive effect on the customer experience and how the glass changed customer behavior with less glare and cooler temperatures.”

Airports continuously work to identify solutions to improve the passenger experience, reduce operational expenses and improve revenue streams. View Dynamic Glass reduces glare and unwanted heat within the terminal, providing a more comfortable environment for passengers and airport employees while also enabling airports to reduce their carbon footprint. View has installed dynamic glass at several airports including: Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), Charlotte-Douglas International Airport (CLT), San Francisco International Airport (SFO), and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA).

Key findings from this study include:

Seating with a view matters.

Passengers prioritize access to light and views of airplanes ahead of proximity to electrical outlets, restrooms and televisions – second only to locations with empty adjacent seats. With dynamic glass installed, 84 percent of passengers sought a better view, preferring to sit close to (dynamic glass) windows.

Dynamic Glass increases passenger comfort by keeping the heat out.

Infrared imaging showed that dynamic glass reduced surface temperatures by 10 to 15 degrees on seats, carpets, passenger clothing and skin compared to the gate with conventional glass. This improvement in thermal comfort promotes greater passenger delight and enables reduced use of HVAC systems for cooling.

Comfort at the gate translates to longer passenger dwell times and increased revenue.

Survey results found that passengers seated by dynamic glass stayed 83 percent longer than passengers seated next to conventional glass. After dynamic glass was installed at the Twisted Root restaurant at DFW Airport, the restaurant saw a 102 percent year-over-year increase in concession sales, over a six month period.

“Every airport is now investing in facilities that enhance the passenger experience. All modern designs incorporate multi-story glass facades that bring more natural light and provide dramatic views; however, this very feature is also creating significant passenger discomfort through increased glare and heat,” said Dr. Rao Mulpuri, CEO of View, Inc. “View Dynamic Glass uniquely solves this problem and delivers to the design intent of creating delightful passenger experiences. This study validates the reasons why View Dynamic Glass is being adopted in airports at an accelerating pace.”

To view the full findings from the recent study, please visit http://bit.ly/2JQoNCE, and to learn more about View Dynamic Glass, visit http://www.viewglass.com.

Methodology
The study, led by Dr. Alan Hedge, a professor in the Department of Design and Environmental Analysis at Cornell, was conducted at two locations at DFW Airport during October 2017 after a public bid process, with View replacing existing conventional insulated glass at DFW’s Gate A28 and in the bar section of a nearby restaurant, both of which are oriented East and experience significant morning sun and heat. The study utilized Gate A25, which is similarly oriented to Gate A28 and fitted with conventional insulated glass, as a control for comparing passenger seating, behavior and dwell time in boarding areas and previous month and year sales history to analyze impact on the restaurant’s business. Over the period, more than 30 flights were monitored and evaluated using video footage, and surveys were conducted with over 500 passengers.

About View
A leader in building innovation, View Inc. is the first company to successfully advance the large-scale commercialization of dynamic glass. Situated at the intersection of human wellness, smart connectivity, and energy efficiency, View manufactures View Dynamic Glass, a new generation of architectural glass that intelligently transitions through multiple tint states to control the sun’s energy, providing an enhanced occupant experience, optimum natural light and superior thermal comfort. View has completed over 400 commercial installations, with another 200 in progress.

For more information, visit: http://www.viewglass.com.

source : https://tinyurl.com/y74jqacl

Airport Merchant Deals

16 April 201812 May 2018 Karima Kouidri

This mobile app lets travelers see offers from participating shops in the airport,

then make purchases directly from the app.

Hamburg Airport, cars now park themselves

16 April 2018 Karima Kouidri

Say goodbye to looking for a parking spot – at Hamburg Airport, cars now park themselves

Using a unique technology, the Volkswagen Group is currently testing autonomous parking at Hamburg Airport. Using only sensors and visual markers, Volkswagen, Audi and Porsche brand vehicles independently find their way to their parking spots.

Reckless drone users prompt detection radar trial at Auckland Airport

14 April 2018 Karima Kouidri

A drone detection radar will be positioned at the end of Auckland Airport’s runway to prevent near-misses between planes and unmanned aircrafts.

It follows two near-misses at the international airport last month including an incident where an Air New Zealand flight from Japan was approaching the runway when a drone flew so close to the passenger plane the pilot thought it was sucked into an engine.

The move by Airways New Zealand, the air traffic control organisation, comes amid calls within the aviation industry to register drones, consider a licensing system and strengthen penalties for reckless operators.

Air NZ chief operations and integrity standards officer Captain David Morgan said the pilot of NZ92 from Tokyo could not take evasive action on March 25 because the plane with 278 passengers on board was already midway through its landing descent.

“The drone was sighted at 1400ft, about five miles from the end of the runway on the approach path and went straight past the aeroplane, not far from the captain’s window.”

Drones are not supposed to be flown higher than 400ft (120 metres), within restricted airspace, over private property, at night and must be in sight of the operator.

Currently a drone sighting at an airport temporarily shuts down the airspace forcing planes to be diverted and delayed.
But an Airways trial of a drone detection radar, set to begin in about four weeks, is aimed at spotting drones up to 9km away and 1700ft (518m) in the air.
Morgan said Air NZ was very supportive of the technology.
“That will allow the guys in the [traffic control] tower to detect a drone, and then warn the pilots that it’s there.”

source : https://tinyurl.com/y7osbwef

Sigfox and Louis Vuitton partner for innovative luggage tracker

13 April 201823 April 2023 Karima Kouidri

Sigfox, the leading IoT service provider, and Louis Vuitton,

the most iconic luxury brand in the world, have announced the release of a luggage tracker that uses Sigfox technology. Exclusively available with the Louis Vuitton Horizon luggage range, it allows passengers to track their checked luggage in major airports, even while travelling between different countries

The tracking device is the first to include Sigfox’s Monarch service. Unveiled at the World IoT Expo in September 2017, Monarch is a new service that enables devices to run seamlessly in all parts of the world, by automatically recognising and adapting to the local radiofrequency’s standards. As global operations are split into three geographical zones, the use of Monarch unlocks endless applications in logistics and supply chain, the consumer market, and automated maintenance for the shipping, aircraft and railway industries.

Asset tracking is the most important vertical in the massive IoT industry and Monarch represents a major breakthrough. This project is the first commercialized application of many millions that will be developed in the coming years. Sigfox’s unique value proposition is currently the only one allowing this kind of use case: a global network combined with a simple technology based on cost efficiency and low-energy consumption.

The luggage tracker is available as an additional accessory for the Horizon 50, 55 and 70 models and can easily be clipped into a pocket within the suitcase. Extremely easy to use, its low energy comsuption ensures a battery life of up to six months.

For additional information about the list of airports where the Monarch service is available, please check: https://www.louisvuitton.com/Horizon70/Airports

source : https://tinyurl.com/yczaoxgj

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s Southampton’s new airport drone!

11 April 2018 Karima Kouidri

EAGLE-EYED bird spotters passing through Southampton Airport

recently may have noticed a species they couldn’t quite place.
Although it looks just like a falcon to the casual observer, the new arrival, named Robird®, is actually an ornithopter – a type of drone designed and flown to mimic the actions of a bird of prey, and used to deter real birds from the airport.

This innovative drone has been thoroughly trialled at Southampton Airport in partnership with NATS and the developers, Clear Flight Solutions. The successful trial means similar robot bird systems could take flight at other airports in the future.

Whilst airports employ a wide range of methods to reduce the risk, if a bird does collide with an aircraft during landing or take off – known as a bird strike – this can create a threat to flight safety.
Traditional bird scaring methods lose their impact over time and need to be backed up with lethal deterrents. The benefit of Robird® is that all types of birds see the drone as a predator and change their behaviour to keep well away. No harm comes to any bird through this method of bird control.
Dan Townsend, Southampton Airport’s airside operations and safety manager, said: “At Southampton Airport, we invest every effort to make sure our airfield is as safe as possible. Robird® is an innovative idea that we’ve found to be an effective and durable way to reduce bird strikes — so you could say this idea really has wings.”
Nico Nijenhuis, CEO, Clear Flight Solutions, said: “It has been a pleasure to be working with Ferrovial and Southampton International Airport. The professional approach to integrating Robird® into airside operations has led to a European first, with fantastic effects on bird problems and bird strikes. We are looking forward to continuing our cooperation with both parties.”

Watch video from source : https://tinyurl.com/y8v82q5j

Skyteam adds airport maps to mobile app

10 April 2018 Karima Kouidri

Skyteam adds airport maps to mobile app – Business Traveller –

The leading magazine for frequent flyers
Skyteam has launched a series of digital airport maps available through its mobile app. The maps cover all 39 of the alliance’s main hubs, including seven locations where Skyteam has branded lounges (Beijing, Dubai, Hong Kong, Istanbul, London Heathrow, Sydney and Vancouver). Skyteam said that the maps provide customers “with a clear and detailed view of their surroundings”… “from check-in and departure right through to baggage collection”.

The new maps add to existing feature of the Skyteam app.

New York’s JFK Booted Out of World’s Top 20 Busiest Airports

10 April 201823 April 2023 Karima Kouidri

New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport is no longer ranked among the 20 busiest in the world, thanks to the rush in Asia.

Among those pushing out JFK was New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, which made its debut on the table last year at No. 16, according to Airports Council International rankings released Monday. The Indian airfield was also the fastest-growing on the list, with passenger traffic rising 14 percent, followed by 10 percent at China’s Guangzhou, which climbed two notches to No. 13.

The center of gravity for world aviation is continuing its eastward shift, with China and India poised to feature among the world’s top three air-travel markets by 2020 as rising incomes make fares more affordable, Montreal-based ACI said. The Asia Pacific region is likely to have 3.5 billion passengers by 2036, adding more than double the forecast for North America and Europe combined, according to estimates by the International Air Transport Association.

To cater to that explosion in demand, about half of the $1 trillion budgeted for airport expansions and upgrades around the world are expected to be spent in Asia, Sydney-based CAPA Centre for Aviation estimates.

Efforts by Chinese airlines to add more direct flights to the U.S. and Europe stoked passenger traffic at second- and third-tier airports last year, ACI said. Travel demand in China is expected to add 3 billion more passengers by 2040, representing 21 percent of the projected global passenger traffic growth, it said.

JFK, as in some other big cities, has other airports nearby. The combined traffic at the New York metropolitan area’s three large airports is typically twice that of JFK’s alone.

source : https://tinyurl.com/ya22uhgm