Remote Airport Tower Operation with Augmented Vision Video Panorama HMI

Abstract

In this paper the initial results of the DLR project Remote Airport Tower Operation Research (RapTOr) are described. Within this project an augmented vision video panorama system and a corresponding HMI is developed for remote surface movement management of small airports or of movement areas not directly visible for the controller. Ground traffic management is performed from a remotely located control center, e.g. a tower at a different airport. The setup and functions of the high resolution video panorama system with integrated pan-tilt zoom camera (PTZ) at Braunschweig research airport is described. It provides the framework for integrating SMGCS traffic data, real time image processing and replay possibility of the complete 180° - panorama. Furthermore we describe how the results of a formal tower work analysis are transferred into a cognitive operator model for simulating the RTO controller work processes to be integrated into the conventional tower work environment.