Page 32 - ATC Special Bulletin Series - Remote and Digital Towers 2023-01

32 the first time that both digital tower and approach services have been combined into one integrated system creating an even more extensive approach to what the Multiple RTC concept brings to the equation. The German, French and Danish examples are part of six partnership agreements that have been signed in recent years for the creation of RTCs, with increasing interest all around the globe. Why remote digital towers managing several airports will be the rule not the exception. The business case for the RDT is very straightforward. The location no longer matters, and the construction of multiple expensive ATC towers is fast becoming a thing of the past in countries with ATC operations. The RDT uses high- definition cameras placed at the airport and several high- definition screens in the centre allow the ATCO to visualise the airport(s) and replicate the conventional ATC tower’s view. The configuration of an RDT can even extend up to 20 screens, typically showing a high-resolution panoramic view of the airport. Thanks to view enhancements, such as overlays on the screen of the ATCOs, integration of infrared, and pan-tilt-zoom cameras, a comprehensive virtual reality is created leading to a much-improved overall awareness and intuitive information display. The RTC concept means that several airports can be controlled from the same facility and ATCOs. This not only reduces infrastructure costs but also brings about the financial benefits associated with shared resources, controller job satisfaction and increased performance. It also reduces training costs, space needs, energy consumption, and offers a much higher operational efficiency: thus, being more cost effective overall Empowering the ATCOs When it comes to ensuring safety in the sky and operational efficiency on the ground, the ATCOs play a critical role. But there has often been a problem in attracting young aviation professionals to ATCO roles. The evolution of the technology, the premise of being able to manage several airports, and the relocation of the ATC to areas with a higher availability of a skilled workforce has generated an increased interest from a new generation of ATCOs. As such, opportunities are highlighted within the new challenges that these RTCs bring. | SPECIAL BULLETIN SERIES | 2023 | |