Performance Assessment of an Electro-Optical-Based Foreign Object Debris Detection System

In 2008, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airport Technology Research and Development Team conducted a performance assessment of the iFerret™, electro-optical, foreign object debris (FOD) detection system. This assessment included the system’s capability to detect objects of various shapes, sizes, and materials at all locations on the runway surface. The system’s capability to detect FOD during both nighttime and daytime conditions, in periods of sun, rain, mist, fog, and snow was also assessed. A comprehensive performance assessment of the technology was demonstrated at the Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD). Installation of iFerret sensors was completed at ORD in late 2008, and extensive data collection was conducted from June 2009 through July 2010. These were supplemented by an assessment of an iFerret installation at Singapore’s Changi International Airport in May 2009. At the conclusion of the data collection process, the FAA had sufficient data to conclude the performance assessment. The iFerret FOD detection system was able to detect objects of various shapes, sizes, and materials on runway surfaces, taxiways, and aprons and was able to perform satisfactorily in nighttime, daytime, sun, rain, mist, fog, and snow conditions, as required by FAA Advisory Circular 150/5220-24, “Airport Foreign Object Debris (FOD) Detection Equipment.”

• Record URL:
  • http://www.airporttech.tc.faa.gov/Download/Airport-Safety-Papers-Publications-Detail/dt/Detail/ItemID/56/Performance-Assessment-of-an-Electro-Optical-Based-Foreign-Object-Debris-Detection-System
• Record URL:
  • http://www.airporttech.tc.faa.gov/DesktopModules/FlexNews/DownloadHandler.ashx?id=ebb491b5-4858-45f7-a7eb-3834627ca6c2&f=11-13.pdf
• 
• Corporate Authors:

  University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

  Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Center of Excellence for Airport Technology
  205 North Mathews Avenue
  Urbana, IL  United States  61801

  Federal Aviation Administration

  William J. Hughes Technical Center, Airport Technology Research and Development Branch
  Atlantic City International Airport
  Atlantic City, NJ  United States  08405
• Authors:
  • Herricks, Edwin E
  • Lazar III, Peter
  • Woodworth, Elizabeth
  • Patterson Jr, James
• Publication Date: 2012-3

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 41p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Airport runways; Detection and identification systems; Inspection equipment; Monitoring; Performance; Surveillance; Technology assessment
• Identifier Terms: Chicago O'Hare International Airport; Singapore Changi Airport
• Subject Areas: Aviation; Data and Information Technology; Maintenance and Preservation; Terminals and Facilities; I61: Equipment and Maintenance Methods;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01531113
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: DOT/FAA/AR-11/13
• Files: TRIS, ATRI, USDOT
• Created Date: Jul 24 2014 3:18PM