Prudent airport management calls for special planning efforts. Airports will need to better understand power demand forecasts, assess on-site energy generation and microgrid technologies, determine the likely timing of these changes, and predict their impact on current infrastructure. Large-Scale Airport Electrification Takes Off A recent Airport Cooperative Research Program study forecast the cumulative impact of…

For enterprises, the availability of smaller, more-affordable versions of telecommunications carrier-grade gear enables fiber to serve as a core-to-edge solution — especially for large campuses or newly constructed facilities. POL combines these technology advances and falling fiber-optic infrastructure costs to provide IT managers with the option of developing their own optical networks, specifically designed for…

Rather than build new capacity without the intelligence — and plan to add the “brains” later — airport visionaries are recognizing the benefit of terminal facilities that are smart and adaptive from the very start. Harnessing Smart Infrastructure Airports are hungry for innovation. And yet, airports typically struggle to advance their innovation goals. Historically, the…

Interactive and personalized media not only help remove stress from air travel. These innovations can also improve convenience, efficiency and safety. Unique travel experiences support tourism efforts by drawing attention to the cultural and natural features of the surrounding region, distinguishing airports at a time when competition among travel options reaches new heights. In the…

To ensure technology system benefits are realized early in the planning stages, a Master Systems Integrator (MSI) can, if scoped correctly, develop a holistic, strategic approach. Consequently, engaging an MSI early in planning and design phases has emerged as a solution to tackle the complexity of technology integration.  Collaborative Systems Integration Multiple definitions of Master…

Fleet Electrification Airports have a long history of converting ground service equipment (GSE) to run on electricity. American Airlines was the first to undertake a major electric GSE (eGSE) conversion. In 2001, the airline replaced their complete fleet of fossil fuel powered GSE at El Paso International Airport. Major airlines have since followed suit, transitioning…

With Access Comes Opportunity Up until now, the advent of 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) mostly benefited mobile consumers, streaming content and connecting to affordable cellular access wherever they roam. Implementation impediments have held back its potential for large enterprises. 4G LTE is limited in its ability to serve locations with a high density of…

A few 5G basics 5G wireless networks are being offered in two basic species. It is important to develop a basic understanding of each. Let’s cut through the jargon and sort out the marketing hype. High Band/mm Wave refers to the area of the electromagnetic spectrum above 24 GHz. Transmitted between microwave and infrared waves,…

Logistical constraints, limited staffing levels, and high costs associated with rebadging are confounding security credentials offices. Widespread rebadging efforts come as many airports are already overwhelmed by the safety and security challenges associated with significantly reduced passenger travel volumes, reduced airport income causing reduced budgets and spending, and layoffs and furloughs amid the global pandemic.…

“Ventilation and filtration provided by heating, ventilating, and air conditioning systems can reduce the airborne concentration of SARS-CoV-2 and thus the risk of transmission through the air,” ASHRAE said in an April 20 statement. Ventilation—the introduction of fresh outside air into a space such as an airport—can reduce contaminants by exhausting some of the existing…