Airport Surface Detection Equipment, Model X (ASDE-X)
Airport Surface Detection System — Model X (ASDE-X) is a surveillance system using radar, multilateration and satellite technology that allows air traffic controllers to track surface movement of aircraft and vehicles. It was developed to help reduce critical Category A and B runway incursions.
The ASDE-X alerts air traffic controllers of potential runway conflicts by providing detailed coverage of movement on runways and taxiways. By collecting data from a variety of sensors, ASDE-X is able to track non-transponder equipped and transponder equipped vehicles and aircraft on the airport movement area.
The data that ASDE-X uses comes from the following sources:
- Surface surveillance radar located on top of the air traffic control tower and / or surface surveillance radar located on a remote tower
- Multilateration sensors located around the airport
- Airport Surveillance Radars such as the ASR-9
- Automatic Dependent Surveillance — Broadcast (ADS-B) sensors
- Terminal automation system to obtain flight plan data.
By fusing the data from these sources, ASDE-X is able to determine the position and identification of aircraft and vehicles on the airport movement area, as well as aircraft flying on final approach to the airport.
Controllers in the tower are presented this information on a color display depicting aircraft and vehicle positions as an icon overlaid on a map of the airport's runways/taxiways and airport approach corridors. The system continuously updates the map of the airport movement area that controllers can use to enhance their situational awareness. It's particularly beneficial at night or during inclement weather when visibility is poor. The ASDE-X system is also equipped with visual and aural alarms that will alert controllers of possible runway incursions or incidents.
Status
The below 35 major airports have received ASDE-X
- Baltimore Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)
- Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)
- Bradley International Airport (BDL)
- Chicago Midway Airport (MDW)
- Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
- Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT)
- Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
- Denver International Airport (DEN)
- Detroit Metro Wayne County Airport (DTW)
- Fort Lauderdale / Hollywood Airport (FLL)
- General Mitchell International Airport (MKE)
- George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
- Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
- Honolulu International Airport (HNL)
- John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
- John Wayne — Orange County Airport (SNA)
- LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
- Lambert St. Louis International Airport (STL)
- Las Vegas McCarran International Airport (LAS)
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
- Louisville International Airport-Standiford Field (SDF)
- Memphis International Airport (MEM)
- Miami International Airport (MIA)
- Minneapolis St. Paul International Airport (MSP)
- Newark International Airport (EWR)
- Orlando International Airport (MCO)
- Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
- Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)
- San Diego International Airport (SAN)
- Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)
- Seattle Tacoma International Airport (SEA)v
- Theodore Francis Green State Airport (PVD)
- Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
- William P. Hobby Airport (HOU)