Sensis ASDE-X Safety Logic Receives FAA In-Service Decision

EAST SYRACUSE, NY – July 17, 2006 – The Federal Aviation Administration has reached an In-Service Decision (ISD) for the Safety Logic function of the Sensis Airport Surface Detection Equipment, Model X system (ASDE-X) at Orlando International Airport. The ISD clears the way for the deployment and operational use of Safety Logic at other ASDE-X airports. Safety Logic detects potential aircraft and vehicle collision situations on the airport surface and alerts controllers.

“Safety Logic mitigates the risk of runway incursions by further enhancing the situational awareness provided by ASDE-X,” said Marc Viggiano, president of Sensis Air Traffic Systems.

Safety Logic analyzes aircraft and vehicle movement to detect potential collision situations on the approach corridor and the airport surface. The function provides detection and alerting on a wide range of potential collision situations such as when two aircraft are moving toward each other in a potential head on situation, landing or departing on a closed runway. Safety Logic detects up to 32 different incursion scenarios.

“Effective conflict avoidance relies on the ability to rapidly convey that a potential collision situation exists and the details about the situation,” said Marc Viggiano. “Sensis Safety Logic provides this ability.”

Once a potential collision situation is identified, Safety Logic alerts controllers with both visual and audible alarms. The air traffic controller’s display identifies the callsign of each aircraft or vehicle, the runway on which they are located and a description of the violation. Additionally, a tone or voice message is issued so that the controller can take immediate action. Safety Logic can be configured to accommodate changes in airport operations due to weather, wind direction, construction, and other local conditions.

Under the ASDE-X program, the FAA is deploying the system at 35 of the nation’s airports. The FAA will deploy Safety Logic to all new ASDE-X installations and retrofit airports at which ASDE-X is operational.