Newark Liberty International Airport Airport Operations Center Virtualization
Recent airport redevelopment programs at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) have significantly altered the operation of its’ landside network.
With flight activity and passenger demand rebounding from COVID-era declines, major construction activities pose challenges unlike that of other infrastructure projects: the need for continuous around the clock operations, a particular susceptibility to weather, and the demands of a diverse customer base highly sensitive to trip consistency, travel time reliability, and other aspects of the travel experience. Additionally, the subtleties of the EWR landside road network present a unique set of challenges that require proactive considerations and coordination. For these and many other reasons, this project was high on the Executive Agenda and required weekly Executive Director briefings as the process was being developed and implemented.
TYLin was instrumental in developing the traffic management operations of Airport Operations Center (AOC) to help with these issues. As part of this team, TYLin was at the forefront of the virtualization effort including the development of communication, visualization, and data usage protocols for remote operations. We developed procedures that allow remote supervisors to interface in real-time with on-site operators and other EWR AOC staff through the integration of cloud software, real-time crowd sourced travel time data, shared live camera access, and robust, standardized communication procedures.
As a result, remote Supervisors and on-site Operators can simultaneously view, discuss, and act upon live data feeds and operational documents. Furthermore, the development of standardized language both for internal and external communication created an environment where complex, real-time information could be concisely communicated and efficiently mined for After Action Reports (AAR) and analysis. Additionally, remote supervisors and on-site operators were able to effectively communicate complex issues and mitigation measures in real-time with the Port Authority Police Department (PAPD) and other stakeholders.