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 fatal collision involving an Air Canada aircraft and a fire truck on a runway at LaGuardia Airport last month.
According to the National Transportation Safety Board’s preliminary investigation report, transponders could have provided air traffic controllers with more precise location information about ground vehicles. The trackers transmit continuous signals to the control tower, enabling controllers to monitor vehicle positions more accurately. The March 22 incident killed two pilots and injured several other individuals.
LaGuardia Airport is among 35 facilities nationwide equipped with Airport Surface Detection Systems, or ASDE-X, which integrate radar data with transponder information from aircraft and ground vehicles to create comprehensive displays in air traffic control towers. The system includes collision-alert capabilities that notify controllers of potential conflicts. The Federal Aviation Administration has recommended transponder installation at major airports and offered financial assistance for implementation, which numerous facilities have accepted.
The Port Authority, which operates LaGuardia, Kennedy, and Newark Liberty airports, stated it has made targeted safety technology investments for airfield vehicles. James Allen, the agency’s chief communications officer, indicated that transponder technology would enhance visibility alongside existing surface surveillance systems. The authority said it will continue coordinating with the NTSB during the ongoing investigation and work with the FAA to improve safety across its airfield operations.
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