How to Improve Airport Operations with Location Technology

Airports are typically large and complex structures that serve as hubs of international, national and regional transportation systems, ensuring increasingly heavy traffic and associated stress. Being active centers, airports must be both efficient and safe, as well as offer an optimal passenger experience. This is where advanced location technology, particularly indoor wayfinding solutions, comes in handy. Imagine travellers navigating your airport with ease: immediately finding the correct gate, and seamlessly locating a specific spot or store without getting lost. This vision is not some sort of utopia for the future but has already become possible thanks to modern indoor location technology.

In this blog, we will discuss how to improve airport operations with these innovative solutions, outlining challenges facing airports and detailing the corresponding location technology solution. Also, we’ll outline benefits for passengers, personnel and managers.

The Need for Location Technology Solutions at Airports

Modern-day airports encompass more than one terminal, floor and numerous services. Static signs and maps that have been in use in the past fail to meet the standards required in such cases. With airports growing and passenger volumes rising, there is a requirement for more complex and efficient means of navigation. Understanding how to improve airport operations with advanced wayfinding solutions is crucial. These solutions to improve airport operations help to manage the flow of passengers and optimize resource allocation.

Challenges of Indoor Wayfinding

Heathrow Airport

1. Complex Layouts

Contemporary airports’ architectural structures span many floors and accommodate millions of people each year. Such expansive and complex layouts, including terminals, gates, lounges, shopping areas and facilities, are complex and may create confusion among travellers. For instance, a facility such as Heathrow Airport spans more than 1,200 hectares of land multiple terminals and hundreds of gates. Undoubtedly, navigation can be challenging, even for experienced travellers. Without the right wayfinding solutions to improve airport operations and guide them through such complex and large spaces, travellers end up feeling stressed, missing their flights and feeling unhappy with the overall travel experience.

In large terminals travellers often encounter challenges finding check-in counters, security checkpoints, boarding gates and baggage claim sections, especially if these are on different floors or connected by corridors, escalators and lifts. Constant construction and airport terminal upgrades exacerbate the issue. Deploying airport operations management software can help to enhance wayfinding and offer real-time updates to travellers.

Location Technology Solution

Blue-Dot Technology: Blue-dot technology provides real-time indoor navigation functionalities without requiring any extra hardware. Utilizing the existing wireless network offers correct positioning and odometry instructions for the passengers, thus improving the general impression. This is one of the essential tips to improve airport operations.

2. Crowded Spaces

Heavy traffic is a typical feature of large international airports all around the world. They can be extremely busy during festive seasons or weekends. Congestion at security checkpoints, boarding gates and baggage claim areas causes delays, making it difficult for visitors to move efficiently through the airport. It is also evident that this delayed passenger movement and congestion causes pressure and confusion in areas like tight corridors, staircases and elevators. Additionally, passengers often get lost in large crowds, especially when trying to find specific signs or information boards. Thus, the effects apply not only to passenger comfort but also to numerous social issues. 

It also impacts the airport employees and processes because organizing the movement of large groups is more challenging and demands more effort and solutions to improve airport operations. Maintaining the passenger flow through the airport without any disruptions or delays is one of the significant problems that demand further development of mannerisms systems.

Location Technology Solution

Heat Mapping: When it comes to the problem of congestion in large international airports, location technology that includes heat mapping can offer a solid solution. Heat mapping enables airports to monitor the flow density of crowds to avoid overcrowding at sensitive zones such as security checkpoints, boarding areas and baggage collection zones. With the help of this technology, airports can provide timely crowd notifications and recommend appropriate courses of action to avoid such overcrowded areas. This is not only beneficial to the passengers to avoid confusion and time wastage but also helps the airport employees manage the traffic flow within the airport effectively.

Dubai International Airport

3. Language and Accessibility Barriers:

International airports accommodate a complex blend of travellers from many different linguistic regions. For example, conventional signs, which are mostly in single or dual languages, cannot address the needs of travellers who speak a different language from English or the local language. For instance, if we consider the Dubai International Airport, which caters to passengers from more than 240 cities in six different continents, language diversity hurdles are incredibly complex. Since not all passengers can read or comprehend the content provided in a foreign language, such measures may result in misunderstanding, misinterpretation and the emergence of additional stigmatization and anxiety. When instructions or safety information needs to be conveyed efficiently and effectively, clear communication becomes even more crucial. 

In order to overcome these challenges, airports need to adopt effective and correct multilingual wayfinding systems that can suit the needs of the customers. This can be such as digital signs with multi-language support, having a mobile application that contains an option for language selection to help non-English speaking visitors. Airport operations management software with multilingual capabilities is essential in such situations.

Location Technology Solution

Multi-Language Capability and Accessibility: For the management of language diversity and accessibility needs at international airports, one has to come up with a strong solution that will require the integration of digital multilingual features and internal wayfinding in an easily accessible app. Mapsted’s location technology solution offers multi-language support for digital signs, and accessibility features. It helps to make certain that every passenger including those with communication difficulties understand the information provided to them adequately, thus making their airport experience a positive one.

4. Emergency Situations

Whether it is a fire, a security threat, or a medical emergency, timely and orderly evacuation is essential for travellers. The more conventional approaches to wayfinding, where signs and printed maps are placed and do not change in response to the input received, may not offer the precise information and dynamic directions required in such instances. Under emergency conditions, one requires simple and concise directions to safe zones, hospitals, or any safe area. This causes confusion and panic and could possibly cost lives when it results in delay, especially when real-time updates cannot be given. 

Advanced wayfinding solutions to improve airport operations that are embedded with positioning and adaptive navigation mechanisms can greatly improve emergency response scenarios. Such systems include smart systems that can guide the passengers individually, shield them from threats and lead them to safer areas. Furthermore, they may help emergency responders to provide the required passenger’s location and their movements.

Location Technology Solution

Emergency Response Features: To improve emergency response in airports, advanced location technology and adaptable navigation must be adopted. Such systems should have intelligent solutions that can give accurate directions to safe areas and medical facilities in case of an emergency. For instance, a Mapsted application can help passengers to navigate directly to the nearest exits and or safe zones and alert them to potential dangers at the same time. Further, these systems will help the emergency responders with real-time location of the passengers and their movements to evacuations in an orderly manner. This is a key aspect of improving airport operations and relies on robust airport operations management software.

5. Maintenance and Updates

Fixed signs and physical maps need constant revising and updating in order to portray the latest realities. This is particularly because changes in airport layout, the introduction of new facilities, or alterations to the current security arrangements require constant updates of the wayfinding aids. This is often a lengthy and expensive process, which means that one has to print new signs, circulate new maps and more importantly, ensure the information being disseminated is up-to-date. Damaged or old signs and maps make it possible for the passengers to be given the wrong information, which may be stressful and time-wasting. 

For instance, whenever a gate number or terminal location is changed while the signage still remains the same, passengers may fail to catch their flights or even be stressed when they are not supposed to be. This is because digital wayfinding solutions can be viewed as a better option in terms of effectiveness and adaptability. These systems can also be real-time so that the passengers end up being informed on the most current information on the systems. Furthermore, digital platforms can be connected with other airport systems, including flight information displays and security status, which can form a consistent approach to wayfinding.

Location Technology Solution

Centralized Map Management Software: To address the issues of outdated and incorrect digital map information, location technology providers such as Mapsted offer convenient centralized map management software. This sophisticated digital system is updated in real-time, thus guaranteeing that passengers are given information that is relevant to the current state of the airport, including layout, available amenities, services and security measures on the ground. Through implementation of location technology and a central map repository, the system automatically updates digital maps and other navigational tools, thus eliminating the need for physical changes and frequent replacement. Travellers get the latest information, which is effective and timely, while the airports receive uniform and effective signage that is compatible with other systems such as flight information and security statuses. This system is an integral feature of airport operations software.

6. Lack of Convenient Access to Certain Facilities and Services

In large airport terminals, passengers experience difficulties in navigation and identification of gates, lounges, restrooms and food outlets. Due to the large number of facilities and intricate design, conventional signage and maps may prove to be unhelpful, especially to first-time visitors of the terminal. This confusion may result in time loss, missed flights and a high level of stress since passengers may be moving around the airport in search of vital facilities.

Location Technology Solution

Location-Based Notifications: Location-based notifications improve the wayfinding experience in expansive airport terminals, the Mapsted’s location-based notification system sends immediate, location-specific messages to passenger’s handheld devices. This system employs the use of location technology to send accurate notifications concerning gates, amenities and services in the vicinity of the passenger. This system is also based on location technology and provides the passenger with pop-up notification about the gates, restaurants, restrooms, facilities and services available near the passenger. In this way, this solution removes confusion, stress and enables passengers to get to services and their destinations more easily.

Benefits of Indoor Wayfinding for Airports

1. For Passengers

• Enhanced Navigation: Blue-dot navigation makes maps much more intuitive as it gives turn-by-turn real-time guidance and instruction to passengers to get to gates, lounges, rest rooms or other services easily and efficiently. This cuts out unnecessary strain and guarantees that the journey will go much more smoothly. It exemplifies effective airport operations solutions.
• Real-Time Updates: Customers get the information on the status of their flight, changes in gates or any delay on their smartphones.
• Personalized Assistance: Wayfinding apps can help target consumer awareness and marketing through customized information and discount predation based on passenger choice and locale. This not only improves the traveller experience but also increases the relevance and propensity of passengers to interact with services and shops within the airport environment.
• Location Sharing: It allows passengers to share the location with friends and family hence facilitating easier meeting points inside the airport. This feature mainly benefits group travellers, making this an even more convenient and overall enjoyable experience using airport services.
• Accessibility: Indoor navigation solutions include the use of features that include voice instructions and reachable paths for the physically impaired. This helps the passenger to move within the airport without much difficulty and do so autonomously.

2. For Airport Staff

• Improved Efficiency: Real-time location data enables the staff members to find locations within the airport without having to search for them extensively or search for particular equipment. It enhances efficiency and reduces or eliminates spending time on extraneous or unrelated tasks by the staff.
• Enhanced Coordination: Staff can locate themselves and even coordinate with other co-workers with the help of wayfinding applications. This improves communication, hence promoting working relationships that lead to efficient operation and the addressing of problems as they arise.
• Emergency Response: During emergencies, real-time navigation helps assist staff and effectively direct passengers to safety. This, in turn, expedites the evacuation process and boosts the safety standards of the airport setting.
• Training and Orientation: Newly recruited employees can easily orient themselves through the airport layout using this technology. This tool also cuts down on training time and allows employees to be productive when they are newly hired.
• Maintenance and Inspections: Wayfinding solutions help maintenance teams to identify the equipment and sections that may need their attention. This guarantees timely service and maintenance hence decreasing the probability of apparatus breakdown hence contributing to a safer and efficient airport.

3. For Airport Management

• Operational Insights: Passenger flow and behaviour data analytics are critical in offering insights into the flow and behaviour of the passengers. The use of this data will go a long way in helping airport management determine the best terminal and way forward for addressing issues such as crowd control and resource allocation.
• Increased Revenue: Geotargeting and alert messages lead to higher traffic to retail stores, restaurants and other services within the airport, increasing sales and revenue.
• Enhanced Security: Since the management of the airport gets real-time information, they will be able to oversee the movement of passengers and the staff, making security better. This capability is essential to be able to recognize possible threats early on in order to be able to act on them quickly. These are essential solutions to improve airport operations.
• Cost Savings: With indoor navigation solutions there is no need for constant printing of signs and maps and this translates to lesser costs on their maintenance and frequent replacements. Information can also be updated over the internet, which makes it easier to make changes once in a while and ensures that the information provided is current.
• Passenger Satisfaction: Enhanced navigation, reduced dwell time and a more personalized experience will increase passenger satisfaction. This means that the passengers are more likely to use the same airport for their other travel requirements, thereby boosting the image of the airport and customer loyalty.

Conclusion

Indoor location technologies customized specifically for transportation hubs are changing the airport landscape, enhancing their functionality to offer passengers safe journeys. Devices such as blue-dot technology, mobile applications, augmented reality, data analytics and many others are enhancing this change. Thus, the further development of the technologies outlined above will become vital to responding to the increasing needs of ordinary and business passengers and providing them with the modern experience of travelling through airports.

The effective implementation of these technologies can make the airports offer better services to their clients, which, in the long run, can lead to increased revenue. This is an indication that airport operations will see more integration of these technologies in the future to enable the creation of smart travel environments. If you enjoyed this blog, you will surely enjoy our video on Mapsted Location Technology for Transportation Hubs about how location technology will make airport experience better and check out our blog on the Top 7 Airport Technology Trends to Watch in 2024.