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equipment and resources involved in the turnaround process, and by tracking the progress
of the same, SAM can identify interruptions
of the workflow and produce alerts to enable
preventive actions and to avoid delays."
Integrations can include flight information/
airport operational database (AODB), video
analytics/AI and Advanced Surface Movement
Guidance and Control System (A-SMGCS)
is also available. The A-SMGCS integration
uses the A-VDGS as sensors to improve surveillance and ATC situational awareness of
aircraft approaching/departing the stand by
eliminating black spots close to the terminal
where coverage is often not good. Controllers
are informed in real time as inbound aircraft clear the taxiway, enabling better use
of taxiways and preventing tail accidents. On
pushback, the system provides visual clarification of departure clearance to pilots and
sends alerts of unauthorized pushbacks to
controllers.
"Each SAM system is designed to meet
the needs of the customer, so every system
can be different with different integrations,"
Svedberg says.
SAM and the Safedock A-VDGS provide
several safety features designed to protect aircraft, GSE and personnel.
"Automating the aircraft docking process
creates a safer operation by increasing situational awareness to reduce the opportunity for
error," says Svedberg. "Allowing pilots to selfpark not only reduces taxiway congestion and
speeds up the docking process, but it keeps
ground crew out of the danger zone and better
positioned to service aircraft."
Safedock A-VDGS verifies aircraft/gate
compatibility and compatibility with aircraft
at adjacent gates. As a result, aircraft docking
cannot commence if it is not safe.
The A-VDGS monitors the aircraft
approach to ensure aircraft enter on the correct centerline and at the correct angle so that
wingtip clearances are maintained. Safedock
A-VDGS reduces human error and accidents
by scanning the apron to detect items such as
baggage trailers or suitcases, as well as personnel in the wrong place.
"The Safedock system is designed to provide active guidance to pilots to support safe,
efficient and precise automated aircraft parking during any weather condition where the
operation of aircraft is allowed - even during

thunderstorms when personnel or ground
crew cannot be present," Svedberg says. "The
Safedock system uses an infrared laser and a
3D-scanning technique to track the position
of an arriving aircraft to provide safer, more
efficient and more accurate aircraft dockings
than can be provided manually or through
other types of systems."
An interface with the passenger boarding
bridge (PBB) lets ground personnel and the
A-VDGS know that the PBB is in a safe position and not in the way of an arriving aircraft.
"A standard interlock feature between the
Safedock A-VDGS and the PBB confirms that
the bridge is in its safe/parked position and
that the docking process may commence,"
Svedberg says. "This requires that the PBB
has the capability to share its location status
and send a signal to the Safedock system. An
incorrect PBB position will result in a 'WAIT/
BRIDGE IN' message on the Safedock display.
Docking will commence when the PBB has
returned to the safe area.
"If the bridge is not capable of reporting
its position, the Safedock can use its apron
scan feature to detect a PBB in the way of an
arriving aircraft," he continues. "If the PBB is
in the way of an arriving aircraft during the
docking, a 'BLOCKED' message is displayed
and the docking can only be continued when
the PBB is returned to a safe position."
In addition to knowing whether the bridge
is in its home or pre-position, it is also of
interest for the SAM system to know when the
'auto leveler' is deployed to determine when
the bridge is connected to or becomes disconnected from the aircraft, Svedberg explains.
"When an aircraft is parked, the Safedock
will send detailed information about the actual
stop position of the aircraft to enable autodrive functions," he says.

Updates Through Feedback

The SafeControl Apron Management was first
delivered to the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport in late 2011 and the full product
release was in 2012, according to Svedberg.
Increased interest from airports and airlines
in apron management intelligence led to the
development of SafeControl Apron Management as ADB SAFEGATE's customers sought
more information and increased functionality.
There have been numerous updates since
the original launch, including a new web-

Photo courtesy of ADB SAFEGATE

PRODUCT PROFILE

based SAM Human-Machine Interface
(HMI).
Input from airport and airline customers
has been key to the development of SAM and
many real-world scenarios have prompted
new SAM features/functionality. Examples
of the new functionalities that have been
developed to meet real-world needs of customers include such things as web-based
SAM client; integration with airport CCTV
systems; mimic of Safedock display on SAM
client during the docking sequence; and performance monitoring and analytics.
Other features being developed include
integration with surface surveillance to track
moving aircraft on SAM client; integration
with video AI for gate activity tracking; and
IoT for GSE equipment asset management.
"ADB SAFEGATE worked closely with
American Airlines to develop and deliver the
first multi-station SAM system," notes Svedberg. "The multi-station system gives American a centralized view of their major hub
operations and provides the ability to monitor
gate activity and control A-VDGS functions
from one system. The system also includes
reporting and data analytics capabilities that
were important to the airline."
The Safedock A-VDGS is in use at more
than 11,000 gates worldwide while SafeControl Apron Management and the previous
iteration are used at more than 150 airports
globally.
"The SAM system offers insight to airports,
airlines and ground handlers," Svedberg says.
"The system provides consistent messaging
on multiple platforms and medias about the
ongoing operation at each gate.
"By linking the staff rostering system
to the SAM, a ground handler can have an
up-to-date list of gates that need to be serviced
and quick updates on delays, gate changes and
cancellations or diversions."

OCTOBER 2020

AviationPros.com

33
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