Automated Foreign Object Debris (FOD) Detection System Evaluation
The presence of foreign objects in the airport environment presents a major
hazard to aircraft safety. Foreign object debris (FOD) is any substance, debris,
or article alien to the
vehicle or system would potentially cause damage. The
presence of FOD can be the result of the loss of parts from aircraft, pavement
cracking, wildlife, ice and salt accumulation, and construction debris.
Identification of FOD at airports requires regular observation of airport
surfaces by airport personnel, or by chance recognition by aircraft pilots
operating on airport pavement. Removal of such FOD is only triggered by those
actual observations.
In 2005, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), in cooperation with the
University of Illinois, conducted a preliminary short term evaluation of an
automated FOD detection system at the JFK International Airport. Through the use
of millimeter wave radar, this system demonstrated that it was capable of
detecting objects as small as a two-inch long bolt on the pavement surface. As a
result, it was determined that this type of system could easily provide airport
personnel with immediate FOD alerts, and even provide specific information on
where the object is located. The conclusions from the preliminary research
effort recognized successful detection of FOD under many operational and
environmental conditions, but also identified a need for the FAA to conduct
further evaluation of FOD detection systems at airports on a longer term basis,
under varying seasonal conditions.
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The FAA evaluated four types of automated FOD detection systems at four large US
airports, including the Theodore Francis Green State Airport in Providence,
Rhode Island, Boston Logan International Airport, Chicago O’Hare, and Chicago’s
Midway Airport. The four different FOD detection systems were installed and
evaluated at one of these airports. Key operational characteristics of each FOD
detection system were evaluated, documented, summarized, and then published as
FAA Final Reports, which are available, as they are published, on this web site
under Downloads-Safety. Specific issues that were looked at include the system’s
ability to located FOD items, accuracy, speed, and capability to trigger alerts
to airport personnel.
In addition to the evaluation of the four FOD detection system, the FAA also
completed two new FAA Advisory Circulars which focus on FOD detection
technologies and FOD management programs. These documents are available at the
following web sites:
AC 150/5210-24, Airport Foreign Object Debris (FOD) Management,
http://www.faa.gov/airports/resources/advisory_circulars/index.cfm/go/document.information/documentID/391902
AC 150/5220-24, Foreign Object Debris Detection Equipment,
http://www.faa.gov/airports/resources/advisory_circulars/index.cfm/go/document.information/documentNumber/150_5220-24
For further information, please feel free to contact Jim Patterson, FAA Project
Manager, at 609-485-4989 or via email at Jim.Patterson@faa.gov.
Contact Project Lead: Jim
Patterson
Last Update:
02/28/11
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