The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey announced plans to equip ground vehicles at the region’s three major airports with transponder technology. The decision follows a collision between a fire truck and an Air Canada jet at LaGuardia Airport on March 22 that resulted in two pilot deaths and several injuries.
The National Transportation Safety Board identified the absence of transponders on ground vehicles as a contributing factor in its preliminary investigation report released last week. The devices transmit continuous signals to air traffic control towers, allowing controllers to track vehicle locations with greater precision. The fire truck involved in the incident drove past red warning lights while crossing the runway, despite receiving clearance from an air traffic controller.
LaGuardia Airport currently operates an Airport Surface Detection System known as ASDE-X, which integrates radar data with transponder information from aircraft and ground vehicles to display real-time positions in the control tower. The system includes collision-avoidance features that alert controllers to potential conflicts. According to the NTSB report, the accident occurred during a period of heavy air traffic complicated by an emergency involving another aircraft.
The Federal Aviation Administration has recommended that major airports nationwide adopt transponder technology on ground vehicles and has offered financial assistance for implementation. The Port Authority operates three major regional airports: LaGuardia and Kennedy in New York, and Newark Liberty in northern New Jersey. Officials stated the agency remains committed to working with the NTSB and FAA to enhance safety protocols across airfield operations.
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