The sights and sounds of an active airport fascinate the young and old alike. However, the greatest potential for accidents, injuries and even fatalities occurs where people and planes intersect.
In fiscal year 2017, U.S. towered airports reported a total of 1,559 runway incursions, of which 276 were vehicle/pedestrian deviations (V/PDs). A V/PD happens when a vehicle or pedestrian accesses an airfield movement or runway safety area without authorization from air traffic control. Many of these events involve persons who have no business on the airfield, but who enter either deliberately or inadvertently.
While having zero preventable V/PDs per year is the ultimate goal, the large number of aircraft, operations and people at airports on a daily basis pose significant risk. Airport safety and security begins with each tenant. It is everyone’s responsibility to prevent unauthorized vehicles and pedestrians from entering areas where they can conflict with a moving aircraft.
Why must general aviation airports review their processes of V/PD prevention and access control? First and foremost, because a single mistake can be catastrophic. Second, to proactively implement voluntary guidelines as an alternative to otherwise costly and cumbersome regulatory mandates. And last, but not least, to provide clients the high standards of safety and service that they expect and deserve, which ultimately safeguards the reputation and economic health of the entire airport.
In today’s world, airport tenants face the challenge of ensuring that employees, clients, flight crew, vendors and other visitors conform to all safety and security standards. In the past, they have largely relied on non-technological solutions to address the problem of V/PDs. These include improving airport markings and lighting, upgrading fencing and gating, and providing additional training to pilots and vehicle operators. However, technology is rapidly expanding in the areas of biometrics, perimeter intrusion detection and automatic vehicle identification.
With access divided into two areas, landside and airside, airport businesses are tasked with managing multiple needs for efficiencies. To identify areas of strength and vulnerability, all tenants should start by self-assessing their individual leaseholds. For example, at Van Nuys Airport, one of the world’s busiest general aviation airfields, tenants are collaborating on a combination of traditional and technological solutions. These include reducing and securing perimeter gates and access points, installing access credentialing and management systems (such as replacing access codes with access cards), and conducting enhanced video surveillance.
The following are recommended tenant best practices to minimize incidents that can jeopardize airport safety and security:
- Consider stakeholder input. The best solutions come from close collaboration among airport users and operators; airport and city/county first responders; local community and business leaders; and public officials.
- Establish site-specific protocols. Issue access only when absolutely required, limit access to only those areas necessary and require tenant signatories.
- Stay away from cutting-edge technology. Use a reliable, tested system with all of the glitches worked out. A general contractor or project manager can help with procurement and installation.
- Establish procedures for access card authorization. Require the positive identification of all access card holders, as well as training for annual access card renewal. Conduct a monthly self-audit of all card signatories and ongoing lock/key assignment tracking.
- Secure, monitor and control all access gates and doors. Restrict unnecessary vehicles, such as taxi and uber operators, from entering the aircraft movement area. Also establish procedures for guests to sign in and sign out, as well as for approved vehicle escorts.
- Consider your insurance exposure. Conduct an audit of vendors, contractors and service providers, and obtain insurance endorsements for indemnification.
- Establish appropriate signage, notice and reporting. Above all, know your tenants and your clients, and who to call for help when an actual or potential incident occurs. When in doubt, deter, detect, delay and deny access.
Remember, all airport businesses are stakeholders in the process to preserve safety and security. While one size does not fit all, working in collaboration to adopt uniform best practices is a preferred alternative to imposing strict regulations. When best practices for V/PD prevention and access control are founded on common goals and solid consensus, the result will be feasible, reasonable and specific requirements that are aligned with the airport’s overall operational and economic goals.
Curt Castagna is president and CEO of the aviation property management and consulting firm Aeroplex/Aerolease Group, a member of the Los Angeles County Airport Commission, and president of the Van Nuys and Long Beach Airport Associations.
