TRAFFIC CONTROL AT THE AIRPORT BASED ON ACOUSTIC SCANNING

Abstract

The round-the-clock vehicles operation at the airports, including in low visibility conditions with fog, snowfall, etc., requires the development of new methods for monitoring their traffic, including those that do not require direct visual contact between the dispatcher and the vehicles. In this study, a method for monitoring airport traffic based on acoustic scanning of the territory has been developed. The method allows you to control traffic remotely, including in conditions of ‘zero’ visibility. Controlled vehicles include ground vehicles that ensure airport operation, including tractors, tankers, buses for delivering passengers and the crew to the aircraft, snow plows, cars, etc. The method provides equipping the airport territory where vehicle traffic is possible with a network of acoustic sensors configured to detect noise generated by vehicle traffic, which allows you to receive traffic data on the airport territory. The structure of the airport traffic control system based on acoustic scanning and the algorithm of its operation is developed in the study for practical implementation of the method. To configure the acoustic sensors, which are the main element of the system, the noise generated by various types of airport vehicles was measured. The proposed method and the system implementing it can be used to prevent emergencies, as well as to ensure aviation security at airports.