Aviation News Item: 00532

21st Jul 2009

Source: ubmaviationnews.com

New York's Newark Liberty International Airport commissioned an 'Airport Surface Detection Equipment-Model X' (ASDE-X) on July 15. The new ground radar system enhances safety by collecting data from more sources than the previous system and provides controllers with colour map displays showing the location of all aircraft and vehicles on the runways and taxiways, according to the FAA. For example, when an aircraft is approaching the airport to land, ASDE-X puts lines up on a controller's display to show the edges of the runway. If another aircraft or vehicle crosses those lines or moves toward them at a certain speed, audible and visual alarms will go off. In addition to a view of the entire airfield provided by ASDE-X, controllers can pick certain areas to highlight on the display and zoom in to get a better view of what's happening in each area. The system differentiates between aircraft sizes and gives controllers the ability to mark taxiway closures and safety areas on the screen.

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