Airports Singapore Airport tests smart digital tower

The concept of a smart digital tower has the purpose to enhance air traffic management and safety of runway and ground operations, and to increase operational efficiencies at Changi Airport. Further, the awarded contract also includes the setting-up of multiple high definition cameras on fixed positions that will feed live video images onto a large video wall. This video wall will offer the air traffic controllers a similar view to what they are already able to see today. Moreover, the trial will employ advanced camera and video stitching technologies, thus enabling better display of information. For instance, the video cameras can automatically pan, tilt, and zoom, to enable a closer look at objects and/or areas of interest. Airports are getting more and more interested in smart digital towers as the new technology allows airports to reduce costs and relocate airport traffic management operations.

Kevin Shum, Director-General of CAAS, said: “In concert with Singapore’s Smart Nation drive, we are leveraging digital technology to transform the aviation industry in Singapore in many different ways. We look forward to working closely with NATS to co-develop the operational procedures and processes required to deploy the smart digital tower for Changi Airport. We are excited by the possibilities and remain committed to working with our industry partners to provide quality air traffic management services without compromising on safety and service levels.”

Singapore Changi Airport is one of the largest airports in Southeast Asia with over 58 million passengers in 2016 and more than 360.000 aircraft movements.