AUTHOR Joe Petrie COVER STORY GSP Takes an Autonomous Approach to Landside Sustainability Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport takes a major step forward in the development of a landside automated transit network to reduce emissions and costs. GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG INTERNATIONAL Airport (GSP) is turning to electric autonomous vehicles via an Automated Transit Network (ATN) to enhance sustainability on its landside operations. David Edwards, president and CEO of GSP, said the airport is exploring Group Rapid Transit (GRT) technology that would shuttle passengers from three economy parking areas and an employee parking lot to the airport terminal via an autonomous vehicle. Edwards said he became interested in automated transit in 2013 after seeing the Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) System at London Heathrow Airport (LHR) connecting Terminal 5 to a business carpark. He was intrigued because of the environmental benefits and the on-demand nature of the technology. " For us, it was very much a customer service-driven item, " he said. " Also it's only being used when it's in demand. Other systems at airports connecting terminals on headways are operating continuously. " The airport performed a feasibility study in 2015 contrasting a PRT system with rubber tire gas-fueled vehicles during a 30-year useful life timeframe and found the automated system makes sense from a business perspective. ATN's have more upfront Group Rapid Transit (GRT) technology will shuttle passengers from three economy parking areas and an employee parking lot to the airport terminal via an autonomous vehicle. GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT costs to build the system, but drivers aren't required, fuel costs are eliminated and maintenance is less expensive. GSP then performed a public procurement process asking for PRT-type ATN systems. GSP leaders chose 2getthere as preferred partner, which was acquired by ZF in 2019. Oceaneering International works with the company on rolling out a U.S.DON'T REPLACE QUALITY. REFURBISH IT. VISIT US ONLINE WWW. STINAR .COM YOUR INDUSTRY LEADER IN GROUND SUPPORT EQUIPMENT SINCE 1946 | Visit us at www.Stinar.com or call us at (615) 454-5112 AviationPros.com/10017793 2202AIRB_Stinar Refurb-REV.indd 1 2/7/22 9:18 AMhttp://www.Stinar.com http://www.AviationPros.com/10017793