Security is an important part of airport operations. More and more, LiDAR or light detection and ranging is used to boost airports' security and efficiency. This article takes a closer look.
Security is an important part of
airport operations. More and more,
LiDAR or light detection and ranging is used to boost airports' security and efficiency. This article takes a closer look.
Needless to say, airports attach a great importance to security, especially amid heightened security issues at airport facilities. According to Osprey Flight Solutions, from January to July 2022, the company issued five alerts reporting shootings at Dallas Love Field, Miami, San Francisco, Greenville-Spartanburg and Nashville airports, some of which resulted in disruption to airport operations. Osprey also issued three alerts highlighting stabbing incidents that have affected aviation workers and passengers in 2022 at San Francisco Airport and Boston Logan International Airport. To counter these issues, airports adopt advanced security systems such as video surveillance and access control.
Why is LiDAR good for an airport
Increasingly, LiDAR is also used in airports to enhance security, operational efficiency as well as passenger experience. LiDAR works by way of shooting laser pulses into the environment; the pulses bounce off objects and return to the sensor, allowing the system to draw a highly detailed 3D map of the surroundings. More and more, it’s found its way into airports due to its various advantages.
“In 2023, several leading international airport groups initiated substantial LiDAR projects that will bring advanced people flow monitoring capabilities to tens of thousands of square meters in 2024,” said Raul Bravo, President and Founder of Outsight. “This technology is now recognized as the next generation for monitoring people flow, curbside, and parking areas. This shift to covering large zones, such as complete terminals or even entire airports, follows an initial phase where stereo-vision cameras were predominantly used in local and relatively small-sized areas to monitor touchpoints, like passport control zones.”
“The practical applications for 3D LiDAR solutions are game changers for enhanced airport physical security and business operations, and the ability to improve the traveler experience from the curb to the boarding gate. From a technological perspective, 3D LiDAR solutions can continuously track people in large and dense environments with extreme accuracy, seeing far beyond the limitations of conventional 2D video imaging and analytics,” said Enzo Signore, CEO of Quanergy Solutions.
Indeed, LiDAR offers certain advantages over other types of security systems, for example video surveillance. In particular, privacy protection is a major benefit.
“Besides reliable detection of unauthorized intrusions with a low false alarm rate, data privacy is particularly important at airports. LiDAR captures data anonymously, ensuring the preservation of individuals' privacy rights. With a larger field of view and more flexible mounting options, LiDARs are also more cost-effective than cameras because there is only a smaller amount needed to cover the desired area,” said Florian Petit, Co-Founder and Chief Experience Officer (CXO) of Blickfeld.
“LiDAR, when used with the right processing software, is increasingly preferred in airports due to its precision in tracking passengers' journeys and its inherent anonymity. This technology does not capture any personal details, aligning with privacy laws like GDPR, and reducing legal and ethical concerns. This anonymity also increases LiDAR's acceptability among passengers and staff, enhancing airport security and operational efficiency,” said Bravo. “Additionally, the industrialization of LiDAR technology has significantly reduced costs. Outsight uses RoboSense’s LiDAR in several airport applications. Because RoboSense is now able to mass-produce their LiDAR, these solutions have become more affordable than traditional camera or stereo-vision systems and deliver higher value.”
LiDAR airport application
Generally speaking, LiDAR has security and non-security applications at airports. Not only can they secure airports, but they can also enhance operational efficiency and the user experience. Below we take a closer look.
Security
According to Signore, in terms of security, a breach in the perimeter, even just one, can potentially bring airport operations to a standstill, leading to flight delays and compromising the safety of travelers and personnel. “The consequences may include significant financial repercussions for airports, encompassing substantial fines, damages, and the loss of millions of dollars in revenue,” he said. “3D LiDAR is a proven technology for superior perimeter intrusion detection applications. 3D LiDAR also provides a highly effective means of eliminating tailgating and piggybacking through security mantraps and revolving doors into secured areas, which is a prevalent security challenge in busy airport terminals.”
“Unauthorized access to critical areas, such as aircraft parking zones, must be promptly detected, triggering an immediate alarm for swift intervention by security personnel,” Petit said. “Simultaneously, the detection solution must only trigger an alarm for unauthorized human entry. Intrusion detection systems lacking 3D LiDAR data often fail in this regard, resulting in numerous false alarms, triggered for example by vegetation or animals.”
Operational efficiency
LiDAR can provide insights into occupancy and foot traffic at the airport. This, in turn, can help operators allocate resources more effectively.
“From an operational perspective, LiDAR facilitates the real-time, effective allocation of resources and staff management. Advanced software solutions, such as those offered by Outsight, introduce unique features like the automatic detection of overflowing queues. If not addressed promptly, such situations can lead to a diminished passenger experience,” Bravo said.
“A 3D LiDAR solution delivers new sources of data-driven intelligence on pedestrian and vehicular movements and density/occupancy, providing airport management with insights to better allocate personnel resources and processes. This includes everything from baggage handling to queue management for deliveries and food/retail areas, and personnel and traveler transportation services,” Signore said.
Improved user experience
This, then, can lead to better
user/traveler experience at the airport. “A 3D LiDAR provides the unparalleled ability to simultaneously track up to 600 individuals in crowded terminals, including check in areas, security checkpoints, boarding gates, retail and dining areas, and baggage transport systems and claim areas. Here, the people and vehicle counting and tracking can assist with queue management to monitor and manage wait and dwell times to ensure smoother operations, which ultimately enhances the traveler experience,” Signore said.