Ground Support Vehicles Research Articles

Energy Forecasting Model for Ground Movement Operation in Green Airport

The aviation industry has driven economic growth and facilitated cultural exchange over the past century. However, concerns have arisen regarding its contribution to greenhouse gas emissions and potential impact on climate change. In response to this challenge, stakeholders have proposed the use of electric ground support vehicles, powered by renewable energy sources, at airports. This solution aims to not only reduce emissions, but to also lower energy costs. Nonetheless, the successful implementation of such a system relies on accurate energy demand forecasting, which is influenced by flight data and fluctuations in renewable energy availability. This paper presents a novel data-driven, machine-learning-based energy prediction model that compared the performance of the Facebook Prophet and vector autoregressive integrated moving average algorithms to develop time series models to forecast the ground movement operation net energy demand in the airport, using historical flight data and an onsite airport-based PV power system (ASPV). The results demonstrate the superiority of the Facebook Prophet model over the vector autoregressive integrated moving average (VARIMA), highlighting its utility for airport operators and planners in managing energy consumption and preparing for future electrified ground movement operations at the airport.

Scheduling optimisation of multi-type special vehicles in an airport

An insufficient number of ground support vehicles and improper dispatch have a significant impact on the quality of airport services. The reasonable dispatch of airport special vehicles can greatly improve the efficiency of airport services. In this paper, a bi-objective mixed-integer programming model is proposed which takes the minimum number of vehicles required and minimum total extra time cost of special vehicles as objectives. Additionally, the service constraint relationship of various vehicles and the reusable nature of vehicles to make full use of existing special vehicle resources are considered. To easily solve the model, the comprehensive scheduling problem is reduced to several sub-problems with parallel services and timing constraints. A non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm with multiple chromosomes and an elite strategy are developed to solve them separately. Finally, using the actual flight data of a domestic airport, we demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed model and offer useful managerial insights.

Optimal scheduling of airport ferry vehicles based on capacity network

For daily airport operations, the insufficient number and the improper scheduling of ground support vehicles are the main causes of flight delays. In this paper, a novel network model is proposed to complement the optimal scheduling of ferry vehicles for the flight ground support service. In the process of model construction, we first innovatively construct a ferry vehicle capacity network by having the introduced virtual flights and the ferry vehicle depot as nodes, in which the directed edges indicate that the two nodes associated may be consecutively served by the same ferry vehicle. Based on the capacity network, a mixed integer programming model is constructed to minimize the number of ferry vehicles needed. In addition, this paper shows that the mixed integer programming is equivalent to a linear programming when the service start time of each flight is fixed, which makes the solving process more efficient, and the linear programming model can be applied to solve the minimum node-disjoint path cover of directed acyclic graphs. The efficiency and accuracy of the method are validated by the actual flight data obtained from Beijing Capital International Airport. This study will provide a methodological reference for the optimal scheduling of airport ferry vehicles.

Evaluation of the airport ferry vehicle scheduling based on network maximum flow model

ABSTRACT With the rapid development of the civil aviation industry, airport ground support vehicles are increasingly becoming a scarce resource. Among them, the ferry vehicle resource is one of the important factors that restrict the flight service quality of airports. In this paper, the optimal scheduling of ferry vehicles in flight ground support service is studied, and an integer programming model is constructed based on the objective of minimizing the number of ferry vehicles required during peak hours or a certain period of time. In order to solve the model, we construct a graph by having the service demand of the flight as the node, and the connecting edges represent that the two service demands can be served by the same ferry vehicle. By introducing virtual flights, the ferry vehicle-sharing network is constructed innovatively, transforming the model into a network maximum flow problem. The efficiency and accuracy of the method are validated by the flight data from Beijing Capital International Airport. This method provides a decision-making reference for the ground service department of airports to evaluate the ferry vehicle scheduling.

Monetized health benefits attributable to mobile source emission reductions across the United States in 2025

By-products of mobile source combustion processes, such as those associated with gasoline- and diesel-powered engines, include direct emissions of particulate matter as well as precursors to particulate matter and ground-level ozone. Human exposure to fine particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter smaller than 2.5 μm (PM2.5) is associated with increased incidence of premature mortality and morbidity outcomes. This study builds upon recent, detailed source-apportionment air quality modeling to project the health-related benefits of reducing PM2.5 from mobile sources across the contiguous U.S. in 2025. Updating a previously published benefits analysis approach, we develop national-level benefit per ton estimates for directly emitted PM2.5, SO2/pSO4, and NOX for 16 mobile source sectors spanning onroad vehicles, nonroad engines and equipment, trains, marine vessels, and aircraft. These benefit per ton estimates provide a reduced-form tool for estimating and comparing benefits across multiple mobile source emission scenarios and can be applied to assess the benefits of mobile source policies designed to improve air quality. We found the benefit per ton of directly emitted PM2.5 in 2025 ranges from $110,000 for nonroad agriculture sources to $700,000 for onroad light duty gas cars and motorcycles (in 2015 dollars and based on an estimate of PM-related mortality derived from the American Cancer Society cohort study). Benefit per ton values for SO2/pSO4 range from $52,000 for aircraft sources (including emissions from ground support vehicles) to $300,000 for onroad light duty diesel emissions. Benefit per ton values for NOX range from $2100 for C1 and C2 marine vessels to $7500 for “nonroad all other” mobile sources, including industrial, logging, and oil field sources. Benefit per ton estimates increase approximately 2.26-fold when using an alternative concentration response function to derive PM2.5-related mortality. We also report benefit per ton values for the eastern and western U.S. to account for broad spatial heterogeneity patterns in emissions reductions, population exposure and air quality benefits.

The tempest unmanned aircraft system for in situ observations of tornadic supercells: Design and VORTEX2 flight results

AbstractThis paper reports results from field deployments of the Tempest Unmanned Aircraft System, the first of its kind of unmanned aircraft system designed to perform in situ sampling of supercell thunderstorms, including those that produce tornadoes. A description of the critical system components, consisting of the unmanned aircraft, ground support vehicles, communications network, and custom software, is given. The unique concept of operations and regulatory issues for this type of highly nomadic and dynamic system are summarized, including airspace regulatory decisions from the Federal Aviation Administration to accommodate unmanned aircraft system operations for the study of supercell thunderstorms. A review of the system performance and concept of operations effectiveness during flights conducted for the spring 2010 campaign of the VORTEX2 project is provided. These flights resulted in the first‐ever sampling of the rear flank gust front and airmass associated with the rear flank downdraft of a supercell thunderstorm by an unmanned aircraft system. A summary of the lessons learned, future work, and next steps is provided. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

The impact of NO x, CO and VOC emissions on the air quality of Zurich airport

To study the impact of emissions at an airport on local air quality, a measurement campaign at the Zurich airport was performed from 30 June 2004 to 15 July 2004. Measurements of NO, NO 2, CO and CO 2 were conducted with open path devices to determine real in-use emission indices of aircraft during idling. Additionally, air samples were taken to analyse the mixing ratios of volatile organic compounds (VOC). Temporal variations of VOC mixing ratios on the airport were investigated, while other air samples were taken in the plume of an aircraft during engine ignition. CO concentrations in the vicinity of the terminals were found to be highly dependent on aircraft movement, whereas NO concentrations were dominated by emissions from ground support vehicles. The measured emission indices for aircraft showed a strong dependence upon engine type. Our work also revealed differences from emission indices published in the emission data base of the International Civil Aviation Organisation. Among the VOC, reactive C 2–C 3 alkenes were found in significant amounts in the exhaust of an engine compared to ambient levels. Also, isoprene, a VOC commonly associated with biogenic emissions, was found in the exhaust, however it was not detected in refuelling emissions. The benzene to toluene ratio was used to discriminate exhaust from refuelling emission. In refuelling emissions, a ratio well below 1 was found, while for exhaust this ratio was usually about 1.7.

An aircraft service scheduling model using genetic algorithms

PurposeIn this paper, the authors propose the application of an intelligent engine to develop a set of computational schedules for the maintenance of vehicles to cover all scheduled flights. The aim of the paper is to maximize the utilization of ground support vehicles and enhance the logistics of aircraft maintenance activities.Design/methodology/approachA mathematical model is formulated and the solution is obtained using genetic algorithms (GA). Simulation is used to verify the method using an Excel GA generator. The model is illustrated with a numerical case study, and the experience of this project is summarized.FindingsThe results indicate that this approach provides an effective and efficient schedule for deploying the maintenance equipment resources of the company, China Aircraft Service Limited.Originality/valueThe proposed model using the GA generator provides an effective and efficient schedule for the aircraft maintenance services industry.

Characterization of Submicron Exhaust Particles from Engines Operating Without Load on Diesel and JP-8 Fuels

Diluted exhaust from a selection of Air Force ground support vehicles was subjected to gravimetric, carbon, and size distribution analyses in September 1999. The vehicles operated on diesel and JP-8 fuels. In most cases, the engines involved were similar to civilian counterparts. The tests involved low and high idle settings but no external loads were imposed. Particle size distribution data, obtained over the 10 to 352 nanometer diameter range using an SMPS instrument, showed that the relative number count of accumulation mode particles increased with respect to nucleation mode particles as the engine rpm increased. The SMPS distributions often explained the main variations in the integrated PM 2.5 gravimetric mass data. Particulate mass derived from the SMPS data and from cascade impactor measurements were well correlated (regression slope 1.02). Empirically determined elemental carbon (EC) and organic carbon (OC) were the main constituents of the PM 2.5 gravimetric mass (regression slope 0.89)....

Demonstration of n-methyl pyrrolidone (NMP) as a pollution prevention alternative to paint stripping with methylene chloride

This objective of this paper is to demonstrate that NMP is a viable pollution prevention alternative to methylene chloride. Marine Corps Logistics Base (MCLB), Albany, GA, USA was the host site for the demonstration. MCLB's primary function is maintenance of military ground support vehicles, electronic equipment, and small arms. These maintenance processes require the use of methylene chloride to depaint or strip metal parts. A full scale demonstration of NMP was performed at the host site, which included equipment retrofits and material substitution. A cost analysis, using standard US EPA costing methods, was performed and emissions were estimated based on material usage. Results show that, based on the success measures and criteria established by MCLB, NMP is a satisfactory pollution prevention alternative to methylene chloride.

5681360 Landfill gas recovery: Siwajek Lawrence A; Cook W Jeffre; Brown William R Bentleyville, OH, United States assigned to Acrion Technologies Inc

This objective of this paper is to demonstrate that NMP is a viable pollution prevention alternative to methylene chloride. Marine Corps Logistics Base (MCLB), Albany, GA, USA was the host site for the demonstration. MCLB's primary function is maintenance of military ground support vehicles, electronic equipment, and small arms. These maintenance processes require the use of methylene chloride to depaint or strip metal parts. A full scale demonstration of NMP was performed at the host site, which included equipment retrofits and material substitution. A cost analysis, using standard US EPA costing methods, was performed and emissions were estimated based on material usage. Results show that, based on the success measures and criteria established by MCLB, NMP is a satisfactory pollution prevention alternative to methylene chloride.