Definitions of Transformative and Innovative
This Publication was developed with two overall goals:
- Help airport practitioners identify which transformative technologies are likely to have an impact on airport operations and the customers who use the airport facility
- Help airport practitioners understand how transformative technologies can impact their airport and how to prepare for the challenge of adapting to the resulting changes
To that extent, this Publication focuses on technology that the research deemed “transformative” to airport operations as a whole. To standardize the approach across the Publication, the content will refer to the definition of transformative as outlined by ACRP: “the degree of disruption when the amount of change is so different, lasting, and dynamic that airport practitioners face a significant challenge to adapt to the change.” In other words, a technology that may potentially have dramatic impacts to airport operations across a wide range of areas. These technologies also have a limited track record in the aviation industry, so airports do not have extensive knowledge and lessons learned from other airports.
Transformative technologies can bring both negative and positive impacts that airport operators must consider. For example, a new technology may improve non-aeronautical revenue through new service offerings that an airport organization may provide. Conversely, an airport’s current infrastructure may not be suitable to support the operation of a certain new technology, requiring increased investment or functionality limitations.
It is also important to distinguish the nuance between innovative and transformative technologies. This Publication considers “innovative” to be a broad way to describe any technology that presents new ways of doing existing operations. But many technologies that airports would deem “innovative” are already being pursued in some manner by airport operators; therefore, they do not make the top of the list of transformative technologies. Further, while these technologies may have an impact in the near term, they may not have as dramatic of an impact as fully transformative technologies. However, in no way does this Publication seek to diminish references to innovation; rather, it seeks to further conversation around the need for innovative cultures within airports to help them plan for the coming transformations.
Biometric identity verification is a notable example of an innovative technology that did not make the top of the transformative list. While it is new to many airports in the United States, airport operators do have access to the knowledge required to implement and support the technology, and they can employ lessons learned from numerous deployments throughout the world. Autonomous vehicle technology is a notable example of a more transformative technology, as it has a very limited track record in the airport industry. Airport organizations may often lack extensive knowledge on exactly which enabling technologies are needed to implement and support new transformative solutions, as they have virtually no prior deployments from which to leverage information.
For this Publication, a technology is deemed “transformative” if it possesses impacts to the following areas:
- Changes to revenue/cost models
- Technical/infrastructure readiness
- Changes to process/skill sets
Transformative Technologies Identified in This Publication
Based on an analysis of over 300 published documents, articles, and news reports, along with one-on-one and group interviews with over 20 airport technology leaders, the following technologies (in alphabetical order) have made the list of most transformative technologies for this Publication. Each of these technologies also has its own article in the Technology Focus series. Later issues may add or remove technologies as advancements continue.
3D printing: The process of making a physical object from a three-dimensional digital model, generally by laying down thin layers in succession.
5G wireless: Fifth generation wireless technology that leverages expanded frequency ranges to provide users with lower latency, increased bandwidth, and faster speeds.
Advanced computing: An umbrella term that refers to emerging forms of computing architecture, functionality, and processes that contradict previously established computing constraints and methods.
Artificial intelligence: Ability of a computer program to learn, identify trends, make decisions, and perform other tasks that previously only humans were capable of.
Autonomous vehicles: Vehicles capable of performing some or all of their operations without the need for human intervention.
Blockchain: A digital database containing information that can be simultaneously used and shared within large, decentralized public networks.[1]
Cloud services: A broad range of services provided over the Internet (cloud).
Digital twin: A virtual representation of a physical object or system across its life cycle.[2]
Future transportation: An umbrella term that refers to emerging transportation methods and fuel sources.
Internet of things: Computer networking equipment embedded in devices, allowing for central management or control.
Mixed reality: A combination of various technology forms that allow a user to view and interact with a digital environment or overlay digital images onto a user’s view of the real world.
Private cellular networks (CBRS and OnGo): Cellular networks that can be owned by the airport/facility operators.
Robotics: The branch of engineering involving the operation of machines—robots—capable of replicating certain human movements and functioning with little to no human interaction.
While this executive technology summary provides a quick snapshot, the Publication explores various aspects of these technologies and their current status in more detail.[3]