5 reasons why 3D LiDAR is helpful in airports

Airports are places with complex environments and heavy volumes of people coming in and out every day. This means that they must have efficient operations to maintain security and safety. Through LiDAR technology airports can improve daily operations, enhance security and safety, and boost customer satisfaction as well as management. Keep reading to learn five key reasons why LiDAR solutions are a game-changer for airports.

Through the continuous 24/7 tracking provided by LiDAR, the entire airport facility can monitor customer traffic from arrival to departure, as well as inside the terminal and outside on the tarmac. 3D LiDAR solution systems allow individual-level detail that can be seen at every location. This can include the tracking of TSA security checkpoints, terminal lounges, dining areas, airport parking garages and outside lots, curbside arrivals, check-in counters, retail stores, and departure gates, at all hours and in real-time. For example, by using real-time information an airport supervisor can decide to open an additional TSA line to alleviate congestion.

Privacy is a serious matter when it comes to sensor data. However, LiDAR tracking is fully anonymous as it is unable to identify specific individuals or capture biometric data such as facial features or skin tone. Therefore, it passes an important test for general public trust and acceptance. While people and objects in the terminal and on the airport, grounds can be reliably detected, individual privacy is protected since no personal data can ever be obtained. With LiDAR, airports can track people and objects in a way that preserves anonymity and trust while making actionable decisions such as improving crowd flow.

Developers of autonomous driving technology for the aviation markets have used LiDAR to power cargo and baggage tractors at airports. This allows airlines to autonomously transport luggage and freight to and from planes and throughout facilities at any time, day or night in a safe and efficient way. This is critical for airlines as it helps protect and handle goods while maintaining tight flight schedules. A good example is TractEasy, a zero-emissions tow tractor that transfers baggage and cargo from airport terminals to aircraft areas with a driverless approach. Thanks to its LiDAR incorporation, the tractor can provide a significant increase in productivity, efficiency, and labor savings in airport and industrial operations.

Airports can leverage LiDAR to improve the safety of workers on the tarmac and advance the efficiency of outdoor operations. Parking lots and garages can also be monitored in addition to runways. LiDAR solutions deliver robust analytics in real-time to predict, diagnose, and address operational and safety challenges. It also works in any weather and lighting conditions – including rain, snow, lightning, and powerful winds- year round which is essential in the around-the-clock climate of an airport.

LiDAR technology uses laser pulses of light that are transferred, reflected off the person or object, and then detected by the receiver. This design makes it extremely precise. The high level of accuracy is important in an airport terminal as it stays the same no matter how far away the LiDAR transmitter is from the target. In real-life airport operations, this level of precision lets managers accurately track the movements of planes, travelers, and vehicles around large, complex airport facilities.

There are a lot of attractive features that make LiDAR an ideal sensor technology for airports. This technology can be used to optimize operations, such as baggage and outdoor operations on the tarmac, waiting times, queue and crowd management, etc. It’s important to recall that through LiDAR, factors like privacy and security are enhanced, which are critical in airport matters. For more information on LiDAR technology contact us today.