Smart Airports Research Articles

Building smart airports: Technology solutions to improve health, enhance experience and increase revenue

Modern airports are seeking new ways to differentiate and enhance the travel experience. They have hybridised to become both transportation hubs and shopping centres. Airports now view passengers as their primary customers and are becoming more aware of passenger needs throughout the travel experience. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, airport health and safety is the travelling public’s highest priority. Airports need to invest in technology that addresses health and safety concerns elevates the passenger experience, and provides a substantial return on investment in the long run. Recent surveys show that the most effective technologies are not always the ones airports are employing: environmental sensing, innovative display technology and smart glass that increases access to daylight and views of the outdoors are three such solutions. As these types of solutions become more prevalent, passengers will come to expect an increased level of comfort and convenience out of their travel experience. This paper will focus on two key technologies — smart glass and environmental sensing — that can provide a solution.

Using Digital Twins to Integrate Cyber Security with Physical Security at Smart Airports

Using Digital Twins to Integrate Cyber Security with Physical Security at Smart Airports

스마트공항의 관계품질 및 이용의도에 관한 연구

The purpose of this study is to look into the current process how smart airports are established. In order to achieve the objectives of this study, a survey was conducted on those who have used one or more smart devices such as Self check-in, Self Bag-drop, boarding automation, and automatic immigration inspection by using smart airports within the last 18 months. The survey was conducted from July 1, 2020 to August 31, 2020, and 328 copies were used for empirical analysis. SPSS 22.0 and AMOS 22.0 program were used to analyze the data collected for this study. To summarize the analysis results, the six sub-variants of the extended theory of integrated technology acceptance—expectation of performance, social influence, conditions for promotion, motivation for pleasure, and price effectiveness-were all analyzed to have a positive effect on airport satisfaction. Second, of the six sub-parameters of the extended theory of integrated technology acceptance, facilitation conditions and pleasure motivations were found to have no positive effect on the trust in airports. Third, satisfaction in airports was analyzed to have a positive effect on the intend to use. Fourth, trust in airports was analyzed to have a positive effect on the intent to use. Based on these findings, the government needs to actively support the introduction of smart airports as in the case of Incheon International Airport, and airport operators need to determine whether it should be introduced in the long term, not in the short term.

Effective malware detection scheme based on classified behavior graph in IIoT

In Industrial Internet of Things(IIoT), secure transferring, computing and processing data are critical in developing automated environments, such as smart factories, smart airports and smart healthcare systems for high quality service. Therefore, how to make full use of the massive industrial data in IIoT while preventing malware intrusion and leaking out no privacy is a leading and promising work. In this paper, we focus on the research of malware detection and propose an architecture of a classified behavior graph-based intelligent detection model for malware attacks, which can not only avoid the high cost in graph matching but also achieve high malware detection accuracy. Experiments on the malware families Delf, Obfuscated, Small and Zlob, each malware family containing 880 samples, show that the highest accuracy TPR can reach up to 99.9%.

A Review of Passenger Digital Information Privacy Concerns in Smart Airports

There is an increasing interest in the use of various digital technologies for interacting with passengers at smart airports. However, there is a need to identify and address the privacy issues that may threaten passenger’s digital information during their interactions with smart airports applications. This study applies a systematic literature review method and reports the passenger’s digital information privacy issues that arise during different stages of their travel journey in smart airports. This research identified a set of 324 studies, which were then reviewed to obtain a final set of 31 relevant studies to address the research questions in hand. The review results were organized into five major categories: passenger travel journey through smart airports applications; elements involved (people, process, information, and technology) in the journey; passenger’s digital information privacy challenges; current solutions for identified challenges; passenger’s information standards and privacy regulations. These results are further analyzed to report important insights and future research directions about the privacy of passenger’s digital information in smart airports. This study will aid researchers and practitioners in obtaining a better understanding of the privacy concerns when dealing with the passenger’s digital information at the digitally enabled smart airports.

A Short Review of the Application of Machine Learning Methods in Smart Airports

Machine learning has influenced the modern transportation in many aspects, such as it could help construct ‘smart airports’ along with big data. Many researchers have discussed a lot of relevant topics in this area. This paper gives a relevant short review, indicating that there are mainly 4 issues which are under the concept of machine learning in the construction of smart airports in recent times. The issues are flight delays, airport environment, operation management of airport, safety of airport. The researches of the 4 issues have become the mainstream for the studies on smart airports.

The SAir-IIoT Cyber Testbed as a Service: A Novel Cybertwins Architecture in IIoT-Based Smart Airports

Rapid technological advancements have resulted in increasingly more efficient and lightweight devices that, coupled with low-power and wide-range wireless connectivity, have given rise to Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) systems. As a result, the concept of intelligent environments was developed, such as smart airports, where ubiquitous sensors seamlessly cooperate through several types of communication technologies, such as WiFi, BLE, ZigBEE and 5G, enable the collection of data and the dynamic adaption of the system to changing circumstances. However, along with certain benefits, such as augmented communication, enhanced business processes and improved efficiency, IIoT introduces new vulnerabilities, enabling cyber-attackers to compromise not only the digital infrastructure of IIoT architecture-enabled smart airports, but also affecting their physical assets. In this paper, we present a novel smart airport cybertwins security-oriented IIoT testbed, named SAir-IIoT, which comprises multiple heterogeneous IIoT devices and communication protocols, organised into distinct zones, automatically interconnected with each other, that can be remotely accessed as-a-service. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first cybertwins security-oriented testbed that enables researchers and practitioners to remotely practice attack and defence scenarios in smart airport IIoT environments. Additionally, we introduce a new data management technique for dynamically collecting, analysing and tagging heterogeneous data from diverse data sources including IIoT devices and network flows. Finally, we compare SAir-IIoT with other IIoT-based testbeds, revealing its complexity and effectiveness to evaluate new cyber security methods.

Airports need to "Smarten Up: The Need for Smart Airports as Examples for Smart Cities

Airports need to "Smarten Up: The Need for Smart Airports as Examples for Smart Cities

스마트 공항의 정보안내 서비스품질에 관한 연구:인천국제공항 안내로봇 '에어스타'를 중심으로

스마트 공항의 정보안내 서비스품질에 관한 연구:인천국제공항 안내로봇 '에어스타'를 중심으로

BlockSIEM: Protecting Smart City Services through a Blockchain-based and Distributed SIEM.

The Internet of Things (IoT) paradigm has revolutionized several industries (e.g., manufacturing, health, transport, education, among others) by allowing objects to connect to the Internet and, thus, enabling a variety of novel applications. In this sense, IoT devices have become an essential component of smart cities, allowing many novel and useful services, but, at the same time, bringing numerous cybersecurity threats. The paper at hand proposes BlockSIEM, a blockchain-based and distributed Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) solution framework for the protection of the aforementioned smart city services. The proposed SIEM relies on blockchain technology to securely store and access security events. Such security events are generated by IoT sentinels that are in charge of shielding groups of IoT devices. The IoT sentinels may be deployed in smart city scenarios, such as smart hospitals, smart transport systems, smart airports, among others, ensuring a satisfactory level of protection. The blockchain guarantees the non-repudiation and traceability of the registry of security events due to its features. To demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed approach, our proposal is implemented using Ethereum and validated through different use cases and experiments.

Building Information Modeling Implementation Framework for Smart Airport Life Cycle Management

Connectivity is key in this new era of smart infrastructure. Smart airports utilize new connected technologies to improve end-user experience while ensuring operational feasibility in aeronautical and non-aeronautical segments. The increasing need for digitizing the design-build-operate life cycles of airports can be met by implementing building information modeling (BIM) that enables accessing, managing, utilizing, and connecting physical and operational data in a digital collaborative environment. This study investigates the current state of practice in airport BIM (ABIM) and the use of ABIM processes in digital airport operations and maintenance by connecting existing data sources and integrating smart airport systems. The study proposes a comprehensive and adaptive ABIM management framework that depicts the alignment and connectivity of ABIM processes, resources and stakeholders with airport operational requirements by identifying gaps in the industry and literature, and developing a global understanding in ABIM visions. Research data are collected through literature and industry review, online surveys, and semi-structured interviews with aviation professionals. Mixed methods including non-parametric statistical analysis and qualitative analysis are used to determine the elements of the framework. Model-based systems engineering (MBSE) principles and language are used to generate the framework. For framework validation, a proof of concept (POC) is conducted by development and deployment of a web-based application. The developed ABIM framework is expected to guide major airport stakeholders in their BIM implementation processes to enhance airport operational efficiencies and in strategizing digital initiatives on a connected-BIM platform.

A Holistic Review of Cybersecurity and Reliability Perspectives in Smart Airports

Advances in the Internet of Things (IoT) and aviation sector have resulted in the emergence of smart airports. Services and systems powered by the IoT enable smart airports to have enhanced robustness, efficiency and control, governed by real-time monitoring and analytics. Smart sensors control the environmental conditions inside the airport, automate passenger-related actions and support airport security. However, these augmentations and automation introduce security threats to network systems of smart airports. Cyber-attackers demonstrated the susceptibility of IoT systems and networks to Advanced Persistent Threats (APT), due to hardware constraints, software flaws or IoT misconfigurations. With the increasing complexity of attacks, it is imperative to safeguard IoT networks of smart airports and ensure reliability of services, as cyber-attacks can have tremendous consequences such as disrupting networks, cancelling travel, or stealing sensitive information. There is a need to adopt and develop new Artificial Intelligence (AI)-enabled cyber-defence techniques for smart airports, which will address the challenges brought about by the incorporation of IoT systems to the airport business processes, and the constantly evolving nature of contemporary cyber-attacks. In this study, we present a holistic review of existing smart airport applications and services enabled by IoT sensors and systems. Additionally, we investigate several types of cyber defence tools including AI and data mining techniques, and analyse their strengths and weaknesses in the context of smart airports. Furthermore, we provide a classification of smart airport sub-systems based on their purpose and criticality and address cyber threats that can affect the security of smart airport's networks.

Robust and Lightweight Mutual Authentication Scheme in Distributed Smart Environments

In the smart environments several smart devices are continuously working together to make individuals' lives more comfortable. Few of the examples are smart homes, smart buildings, smart airports, etc. These environments consist of many resource constrained heterogeneous entities which are interconnected, controlled, monitored and analyzed through the Internet. One of the most challenging tasks in a distributed smart environment is how to provide robust security to the resource constraint Internet-enabled devices. However, an authentication can play a major role ensuring that only authorized devices are being connected to the distributed smart environment applications. In this paper, we present a robust and lightweight mutual-authentication scheme (RLMA) for protecting distributed smart environments from unauthorized abuses. The proposed scheme uses implicit certificates and enables mutual authentication and key agreement between the smart devices in a smart environment. The RLMA not only resists to various attacks but it also achieves efficiency by reducing the computation and communication complexities. Moreover, both security analysis and performance evaluation prove the effectiveness of RLMA as compared to the state of the art schemes.

Smart Airport Cybersecurity: Threat Mitigation and Cyber Resilience Controls.

Airports are at the forefront of technological innovation, mainly due to the fact that the number of air travel passengers is exponentially increasing every year. As a result, airports enhance their infrastructure intelligence and evolve as smart facilities to support growth, by offering an enjoyable travel experience. New challenges are coming up, which aviation has to deal with and adapt to, such as the integration of Industrial IoT (Internet of Things) in airport facilities and the increased use of smart devices from travelers and employees. Cybersecurity is becoming a key enabler for safety, which is paramount in the aviation context. Smart airports strive to provide optimal services in a reliable and sustainable manner, by working around the domains of growth, efficiency, safety and security. This article researches: (a) the implementation rate of cybersecurity measures in commercial airports; (b) malicious threats that evolve due to IoT and smart devices installed; (c) risk scenario analysis for IoT malicious attacks with threat mitigation actions. With the aim to enhance operational practices and develop robust cybersecurity governance in smart airports, we present a systematic and comprehensive analysis of malicious attacks in smart airports, to facilitate airport community comprehend risks and proactively act, by implementing cybersecurity best practices and resilience measures.

Smart airport foreign object debris detection rover using LiDAR technology

In this paper, a smart novel solution for the detection of foreign object debris (FOD) on airport premises has been proposed, implemented, and evaluated. The solution is an autonomous rover that uses light detection and ranging (LiDAR) technology to scan and detect foreign objects on airport runways or ramps. The rover is cheap to implement and is designed so as not to interfere with airport airside operations. The rover would move on a designated track along the runway as it is scanning for FOD. When an object is detected, a message with its location is sent to the operator via Bluetooth or the cellular network. The proposed system was able to detect objects with various sizes at different distances away from the rover. The solution would be a valuable addition for future smart airports, ensuring safer operations.

Terminal experimentation: The transformation of experiences, events and escapes at global airports

Recent debates in aeromobilities research have focused on global shifts in airport socialities generated by the redesign of airport terminals (Cwerner et al., 2009). This article examines transformations to identity and social relations arising from the reinvention of airport infrastructures and facilities, especially the experience of airport services. We suggest here that the arrival of ‘smart airports’, or how we use the term ‘Airport 3.0’, involves an experimentalist orientation deriving from contemporary economic and cultural life. The general argument is that the reinvention of global airport spaces is producing three key transformations: (1) experimentalist orientations arising from the deployment of new information technologies; (2) an experimental business engineering of consumer worlds, or ‘worlding’; and (3) travel-time use geared to a world of infinite innovation. Finally, the article reviews transformations in passenger experience in the light of these conceptual claims.

User Requirement Analysis and IT Framework Design for Smart Airports

It takes a great deal of time for an airline passenger to go through the immigration process, security checks, and other airport-associated procedures. Furthermore, nowadays, large airports are competing to be hub airports, are striving to increase customer satisfaction, and wish to provide passengers with excellent travel experiences. When we reviewed airport processes in order to increase airport productivity and improve passenger convenience, we categorized passenger-related processes into three parts: passenger processing, guide services, and mobile services. In order to support a series of improvements in the process, a new paradigm, "Smart Airport Service Framework" is proposed to ensure faster service and greater convenience for passengers and improve work processes and resource utilization. As a part of this paradigm, and to meet the needs of passengers as regards mobile service, we reviewed a customer requirement analysis for smart phone applications using quality function deployment methodology. From this information, we drew the most necessary functions, such as the guide to airport amenities, and developed them, consequently enhancing passenger access to the airport IT systems, saving time, and increasing airport authority profits.