Autonomous friction measurement and airport monitoring

Autonomous vehicle control (DRIWS) is currently used at Örnsköldsvik Airport, the first airport in the world to introduce Remote Tower Control.

The project plans to continue working with the DRIWS system, including adding a third dimension, the altitude, in order to be able to report the position of flying drones to air traffic controllers through visualisation of the airport area. This visualisation is already available today but is then used for track-based vehicles.

The project will also develop the ability to perform autonomous optical friction measurement of runways. Today, mechanical friction measurement is used by pulling a wheel after a manually driven vehicle.

The optical friction measurement developed in the project is done by aiming sensors on the surface with infrared light while recording data from reflected light. The runway surface measurements will be done with sensors mounted on an electric driverless motorcycle (ATV), i.e. autonomously. The optical sensors allow a detailed classification of the conditions of the track, both in terms of friction and regarding, for example, ice and banana temperature. The optical measurement can also be done forward and over a larger surface, creating an increased ability to forecast the nature of the runway.

A self-driving quad bike is used when demo tests of the technology are carried out. Photo: Mid Sweden University.

Project idea

The trend in airports and the aviation industry in general is more autonomous, which results in lower operating costs by allowing many functions to be handled with less staff. In Sweden, many airports are operated by municipalities and regions and these are of great importance to the regional economy. This is particularly true in northern Sweden, with long distances, where trains and cars are often not time efficient alternatives.

The solution in both the short and long term is to increase cost efficiency, and safety, supported by remote control and autonomous operation and monitoring. It also means that it will be possible to operate smaller airports cost-effectively, which is very important from a regional perspective as accessibility must remain high and that the infrastructure can be used for essential functions and in case of national crises such as forest fires.

Project objectives

The overall objective of the project is an autonomous, safe and cost-effective regional airport that can serve as a model for other airports in Sweden and the rest of the world.

This is done through:

• Further developed system (DRIWS) for the monitoring and control of autonomous (electric) ground vehicles, primarily an ATV that will be used for friction measurement;
• Verified technology for autonomous optical classification of runway friction coating and measurement and visualisation of runway coating and friction with digital twin, including a demonstrator at Örnsköldsvik Airport.
• Virtual model for drone position data and conceptual model for monitoring airport functions and for the use of airport drones and for community services.