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Three ground controllers

Three ground controllers

Tower

Study
Planning
26MAR2018
Implementation
01APR2020
Evaluation

During the day, there used to be one or two ground controllers in Tower Centre and one in Tower West near runway 18R/36L (Polderbaan). Air Traffic Control the Netherlands (LVNL) has added a third ground traffic controller to the crew at the Central Control Tower, depending on air traffic volumes. This reduces the workload of ground controllers and the likelihood of runway incursions and on-ground safety incidents.

  • 3. Revising naming of taxiways

    Schiphol and its partners are revising the names of specific taxiways. We will implement a revised nomenclature of the taxiway system to improve consistency. This will reduce the likelihood of errors and misunderstandings due to similar/confusing naming conventions.

    Study
    Planning
    Implementation
    31DEC2023
    Evaluation
    37, 25,

  • 4. Deviations by ground handling staff

    ISMS partners have investigated the reasons why ground personnel on platforms and service roads do not always comply with the rules and regulations. This research demonstrates several factors at play. To improve this situation, we have now implemented measures that were feasible at short notice.
    Line markings and pedestrian zones are improved, and lights are recovered. The Schiphol rules are updated and enforced, and the sanctioning time is shortened. Integral safety campaigns are launched frequently. The Basic training Safety & Security has been improved and is an eLearning with an annual recurrent training.
    Program for improving the visibility on crossings at airside is being executed. Together with ground handlers joint walks with authority officers, clean-up actions and “kijkje in de keuken” sessions are being organised.
    This measure consists of multiple underlying actions with their own implementation date. Therefore, no implementation and planning date is mentioned on the website.

    Study
    01MAR2019
    Planning
    Implementation
    Evaluation
    37, 25,

  • 7. Trajectory prediction

    Air Traffic Control the Netherlands (LVNL) and its ISMS partners will improve the planning systems to increase predictability of flight profiles to reduce collision risk as part of the European SESAR (Single European Sky ATM research) programme.

    Study
    01JAN2026
    Planning
    Implementation
    Evaluation
    37, 25,

  • 9. Improved entry to the Schiphol Terminal Manoeuvring Area (TMA)

    The Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, Air Traffic Control the Netherlands (LVNL) and other partners are going to investigate improved ways for inbound traffic to enter the airspace around Schiphol as part of the airspace restructuring programme in 2023. This would be a next step in developing the operational concept. Doing so would increase the predictability of flight profiles in approaching aircraft to evenly spread traffic load, which would reduce the likelihood of occurrences that affect flight safety.

    Study
    Planning
    Implementation
    Evaluation
    37, 25,

  • 11. Check pushback procedure online

    Schiphol and its partners have developed and published a website that pushback drivers can easily consult for the standard procedures for pushback. This will reduce the risk of safety incidents during pushback manoeuvres. Evaluation of this measure showed even more could be achieved with this new website. It has therefore been agreed that each ground handler will ensure that a device is available with which the pushback driver can always easily consult the current pushback procedure. This will be re-evaluated in the future.

    Study
    01JAN2019
    Planning
    Implementation
    01JUL2023
    Evaluation
    37, 25,

  • 12. Follow the Greens

    Schiphol and Air Traffic Control the Netherlands (LVNL) are implementing ‘Follow the Greens’. These are a set of sequenced green lights that guides pilots along the assigned taxi route. This visual aid eliminates the need for pilots to consult maps, reduces workload for ground controllers and relieves stress on ground frequencies. It will improve coordination and reduces the likelihood of on-ground safety occurrences and runway incursions.

    Study
    01JUN2026
    Planning
    Implementation
    Evaluation
    37, 25,

  • 14. Runway status lights

    Schiphol and its partners are exploring the introduction of Runway Status Lights (RWSL). These are series of autonomously-operating red in-pavement lights that warn both pilots and vehicle drivers for other aircraft or vehicles on runways. This visual aid will reduce the likelihood of runway incursions.

    Links:

    Study
    31DEC2023
    Planning
    Implementation
    Evaluation
    37, 25,

  • 15. Building a new pier

    Schiphol is constructing a new pier with parking positions for both widebody and narrowbody aircraft. The new gates can accommodate 3 widebody and 5 narrowbody aircraft, or 11 narrowbody aircraft. The A-pier is located in the southwestern part of the airport, next to the Kaagbaan (06/24). The new pier increases gate capacity and relieves gate planning. As a result, the pressure on ground operations decreases, reducing the likelihood of ground safety incidents. The completion of the pier is also important to create sufficient capacity that allows Schiphol to renovate or remodel other piers.

    After terminating the contract with the previous contractor, a new contractor has been selected to complete the pier. The project is currently in the pre-construction phase. The execution of the final construction will begin in late 2023. At that time, the schedule and completion date of the pier will also be known.

    Study
    Planning
    01JAN2017
    Implementation
    Evaluation
    37, 25,

  • 16. Completion dual taxiway system

    Schiphol is equipped with a circumferential double-lane taxiway system, except for the current Quebec taxiway. Schiphol and its partners will increase operational predictability, uniformity and ground capacity by doubling the Quebec taxiway. This will reduce the likelihood of on-ground safety occurrences. The double taxiway will be integrated in the clockwise and counter-clockwise routing of the Alfa and Bravo taxiways. The duplication of the Quebec taxiway will be implemented in three phases (1A, 1B and 2). Phase 1A is implemented. The new aircraft bridge is in use now. Phase 1B and phase 2 will be combined and executed directly after each other, this improves efficiency in the project management and execution.
     

     

    Less congestion in SW corner after splitting departure flows (for runway 36L and 36C)

    Less congestion in SW corner after splitting departure flows (for runway 36L and 36C)

    Smaller area of two way traffic reduces waiting times for opposite traffic

    Smaller area of two way traffic reduces waiting times for opposite traffic

    Situation after phase 1B and phase 2

    Situation after phase 1B and phase 2

    Study
    Planning
    18SEP2018
    Implementation
    31DEC2025
    Evaluation
    37, 25,

  • 22. Sharing ground equipment and vehicles

    Schiphol and its partners are conducting a study on the possibility for ground handlers to share their vehicles and equipment. Sharing reduces the movements and the amount of ground handling equipment at aprons, such as stairs and baggage carts, and less material is left on the platforms. This situation reduces the likelihood of safety occurrences on the ground. A pilot is being performed with passengers’ stairs, Powerstows and conveyor belts on a few stands at the D-pier.

    Study
    31JUL2023
    Planning
    Implementation
    Evaluation
    37, 25,

  • 24. Colocation towing movement and ground control

    Air Traffic Control the Netherlands (LVNL) and Schiphol consider how to move towing movement control to the operation room in the Tower with ground control in order to enhance communication and coordination. This will reduce the likelihood of safety occurrences on the ground. LVNL will take over the task tow control from Schiphol. Implementation is planned before 2027.

    Study
    31DEC2020
    Planning
    Implementation
    31DEC2026
    Evaluation
    37, 25,

  • 27. Last minute runway combination changes and complexity of changes in runway combinations

    Runway combination changes that take place at the last minute may cause a disruption to the expected flight handling process, both for pilots and air traffic controllers. Air Traffic Control the Netherlands (LVNL) and Schiphol have developed measures to further reduce the number of last-minute runway changes, and the associated risks, in order to prevent air and ground safety incidents. For instance, we maintain landing runways when an aircraft is in the Terminal Manoeuvring Area (TMA) Schiphol; in addition, we use two departure runways when needed for a more stable traffic flow. We have also developed measures to improve the predictability of runway use and traffic flows using improved planning systems such as Arrival Management and Collaborative Decision Making. The percentage of last-minute runway combination changes is being monitored closely. The Schiphol Airport Operations Centre (APOC) is in use from June 2021 on.

    Study
    20JUN2019
    Planning
    Implementation
    31DEC2025
    Evaluation
    37, 25,

  • 29. Crossing runway 06-24 (Kaagbaan)

    When taxiing to or from the Sierra platform, aircraft cross runway 06/24 (Kaagbaan). Schiphol and its partners have researched the ways that this crossing can be made safer to mitigate the risk of possible runway incursions. We also looked at alternative taxi routes to and from the Sierra platform. After research it is decided that aircraft are going to use a new intersection at Sierra 1. Because aircraft do no longer cross at a ‘high energy point’, the risk of runway crossings will decrease.

    Study
    20SEP2019
    Planning
    Implementation
    31DEC2024
    Evaluation
    37, 25,

  • 36. Navigation and surveillance systems in vehicles

    Schiphol and its partners are exploring navigation and surveillance systems in vehicles on airside, to reduce the likelihood of runway incursions. A comprehensive study is being performed and planned to be completed in December 2023.

    Study
    31DEC2023
    Planning
    Implementation
    Evaluation
    37, 25,

  • 41. Improve pedestrian safety

    ISMS partners jointly investigated an incident in which an employee was severely injured after being hit by an Ambulift (a so called ‘Bulmor’) vehicle.

    After the first investigation results, an awareness campaign was launched for improving the pedestrian safety at airside. Further on, a temporary Taskforce investigates other safety improvements for pedestrian safety at airside. Further on, routes through lounges and piers will be provided for employees at airside, and pedestrian crossings and routes will be optimized.

    Study
    Planning
    Implementation
    Evaluation
    37, 25,
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