Searidge selected as technology partner for Virtual Ramp Control System at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport

Remote system to significantly improve safety and situational awareness; Project led by AirIT

CALGARY, AB, Sept. 10, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - September 10, 2012. ACI-NA Annual Conference Booth #1018.  Searidge Technologies, provider of intelligent video solutions to Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs) and airports, announced that their intelligent video platform, IntelliDAR™ and ATC-Grade Video system have been selected as key components of a Virtual Ramp Control System (VRCS) for the Fort Lauderdale - Hollywood International Airport (FLL).

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, one of the top 35 airports in the United States, has commissioned Air-Transport IT Services, Inc. (AirIT) to deploy a contemporary Virtual Ramp Control System (VRCS). The new system will allow ground traffic on the North side of the airport, which is currently monitored and directed from a small structure adjacent to the airport's ramp area, to be monitored and controlled remotely in the operations center.

The airport's goal is to remotely manage ramp traffic safely and effectively. And as the airport grows, the implementation of the VRCS will allow maximum airfield efficiency and utilization and minimize impacts of line of sight limitations and congestion caused by the ongoing construction of the airport's new runway.

To ensure ramp controllers have optimal visibility of the entire ramp Searidge track data will be integrated with existing surveillance data sources and presented on the AirIT Aerial View Display (AVD).  The VRCS will deliver graphical, dynamic, real-time position reporting and tracking of aircraft in the movement and non-movement areas of the airfield, allowing the ramp to be controlled from a remote windowless location.

"When compared to other available technologies such as Multilateration (MLAT), the Searidge solution provided a cost-effective alternative that works well around gates and provides non-cooperative tracking of all aircraft to the gate, stitched video for a panoramic view of the area, and all-weather performance.  In addition, their leadership and success in executing remote solutions made them the right partner for us to deliver a market-leading solution for Fort Lauderdale," explains Jeffrey Shull, Executive Vice President, AirIT.

The Searidge IntelliDAR™ system processes video from a series of video sensors networked together to provide real-time geospatial positioning of all targets in a given area. The video captured by thermal cameras is then processed using advanced computer vision algorithms in order to provide non-cooperative target detection, continuous tracking, geospatial positioning, and a variety of target attributes enabling smooth aircraft hand-off from the runway to gates. Additionally, the ATC-Grade Video intuitively consolidates multiple camera scenes into a simulated out-of-the-window view of the area of interest. Using both visible and thermal cameras with Pan-Tilt-Zoom (PTZ) functionality helps controllers to have full visual confirmation of the situation and to safely and effectively manage the ground traffic with a high degree of confidence.

"This will be the first system of its kind to be deployed in the United States and we are pleased to be working with AirIT and Fort Lauderdale to increase visibility, safety and efficiency of ramp operations," says Moodie Cheikh, chief executive officer, Searidge Technologies. "Looking forward, this solution will be valuable to many airports looking to optimize their surface surveillance coverage and increase visibility and tracking in non-movement areas such as the ramp, in a cost-effective way."

About Air-Transport IT Services, Inc. (AirIT)  
Air-Transport IT Services, Inc., with corporate offices in Orlando, Florida, offers airlines and airports IT systems that enable them to deliver, display, manage and employ information that improves operations, customer satisfaction and revenue generation. The company's airport operational, passenger processing and revenue management solutions are the most comprehensive offerings available to the global air transportation industry. In addition to its product offerings, AirIT also provides consulting services, networking and installation and 24 x 7 support. AirIT is proud to be one of the top 100 best companies to work for in Florida, according to Florida Trend Magazine's annual issue of "Florida's Best Companies to Work For."

About Searidge Technologies Inc.
Searidge Technologies provides intelligent video solutions to Air Navigation Service Providers and airports to help them cost effectively increase safety and efficiency of surface management operations. The company's intelligent video platform IntelliDAR™ is a robust Non-Cooperative Surveillance System (NCSS) and the first operational system of its kind in an air traffic control tower to provide detection, positioning, and tracking of all targets on an airport surface. Searidge is helping its customers with ATC-grade video, gap filling/A-SMGCS augmentation, apron management, and remote tower capabilities.

Working with industry leaders such as DFS, FAA, EUROCONTROL and NAV CANADA, Searidge solutions are installed in sites throughout Europe, Middle East and North America. Founded in 2001, Searidge is a privately held company based in Canada's Capital region.

SOURCE: Searidge Technologies inc.

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