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A-SMGCS

EATM (European Air Traffic Management Programme) is a

European-wide ATM Performance enhancement programme

managed by the EUROCONTROL Agency on behalf of

EUROCONTROL Member States and other participating

States. Its aim is to create a uniform EUROPEAN ATM envi-

ronment, to ensure high levels of Safety and to enhance the

Capacity as well as the overall performance of the European

ATM system over time in the support of the implementation of

the EUROCONTROL ATM Strategy for the years 2000+

Advanced Surface

Movement Guidance and

Control System Project

A-SMGCSCONTACT:

Paul ADAMSON

A-SMGCS Project Manager - EUROCONTROL

Directorate Airport Operations Programmes

Airport Throughput Business Division

Tel: +32 2 729 3308

Fax: +32 2 729 9193

e-mail: paul.adamson@eurocontrol.int

S

teveHall

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Introduction

The Advanced Surface Movement Guidance and Control System

(A-SMGCS) Project is part of the Airport Operations Programme (APR)

at EUROCONTROL

A-SMGCS will improve airport operations, especially during reduced

visibility conditions, at night and where distances from control towers

make visual contact difficult. It will also significantly add to the controllers

situational awareness of the movement area traffic. In addition A-SMGCS

will be an important enabler in the EUROCONTROL Gate-to-Gate

concept.

The Present

Surface movement radar (SMR) is widely used but has a number of

limitations. Whilst SMR can assist the controller to monitor traffic and

confirm compliance with an instruction, it lacks the ability to provide the

controller with the continuous identification of a target and therefore

provides a limited situational awareness.

The FutureA-SMGCS uses a number of devices to present the controller with a

display that will enable controllers to maintain uninterrupted identity of

known traffic, while retaining the SMR element to detect intruders.

A number of airports have already installed A-SMGCS using

Mode S Multilateration and SMR. Together with Stakeholders the

EUROCONTROL A-SMGCS Project is in the process of defining and

validating agreed concepts and operational procedures.

A-SMGCS Project at EUROCONTROL -

Implementation Levels

Level 1 Based upon improved surveillance and procedures (identification,

issuance of ATC instructions & clearances)

Level 2 Improved surveillance + Safety nets (runway, restricted & closed

areas) and associated procedures

Level 3 Level 2 + Detection of all conflicts on movement area, improved

guidance & planning (for controllers)

Level 4 Level 3 + Resolution of all conflicts, automatic planning &

automatic guidance (for pilots and controllers)

Project Objectives

To fully develop Levels 1 & 2, to operational implementation, ensuring allrelevant issues are identified and addressed, for example:

Systems Procedures

Safety/Human Factors

Institutional Training/Licensing

Co-ordinate with and expand upon the work of the European Commission

& ICAO

Co-ordinate with the FAA and other concerned organisations

Conclusion

A-SMGCS Level 1 is in the process of being implemented at Heathrow and

Charles De Gaulle airports and with other airports soon to follow.

EUROCONTROL is leading the way to ensure that these implementations are

harmonised, so that the benefits are maximised for individual airports, airlines as

well as the overall ATM network.