Safety Criteria for Use of Autonomous Service Vehicles on Airfields

Airport operators are increasingly considering the use of autonomous ground vehicle systems (AGVS) in non-movement areas to enhance operational efficiency and safety. Various pilot programs have highlighted both the advantages and safety challenges associated with AGVS integration. Key issues include risks of collisions, potential system failures, and the interactions between AGVS, airport personnel, and traditional operations. The aviation community recognizes safety management systems (SMS) as a best practice because they offer a structured and repeatable approach to identifying hazards and mitigating safety risks. For successful and safe implementation of AGVS, research is needed to help airport operators develop guidelines on conducting a safety risk assessment, for specific autonomous vehicle use cases, in the non-movement area. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this research is to develop a guide to help airport operators prepare and conduct a safety risk assessment for specific autonomous vehicle use cases in the non-movement area. At a minimum, the use cases will include: Cargo and baggage movement; Snow and deicing operations; Security; Landscape maintenance; Maneuvering aircraft; People movers; Aircraft parking guidance and Foreign object debris.

• Record URL:
  • http://apps.trb.org/cmsfeed/TRBNetProjectDisplay.asp?ProjectID=5795
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Contract to a Performing Organization has not yet been awarded.

Language

• English

Project

• Funding: $350,000.00
• Contract Numbers:

  Project 04-35

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP)

  Transportation Research Board, 500 Fifth Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001

  Federal Aviation Administration

  800 Independence Avenue, SW
  Washington, DC  United States  20591
• Project Managers:

  Picciano, Tara

• Start Date: 20250224
• Expected Completion Date: 0
• Actual Completion Date: 0

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Airport operations; Airports; Autonomous vehicles; Ground handling; Safety
• Subject Areas: Aviation; Safety and Human Factors; Terminals and Facilities; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01926484
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Transportation Research Board
• Contract Numbers: Project 04-35
• Files: TRB, RIP
• Created Date: Aug 5 2024 7:13PM