Implementing GigaPan Technology into an Airport's Foreign Object Debris Management Program

This paper presents a technology that can easily be implemented at airports by airport operators to conduct inspections for daily foreign object debris (FOD). The process includes developing gigapixel panoramas of an airport runway that can be reviewed close to live time by trained staff. The approach promotes an inexpensive means for FOD detection without conducting daily runway drive-through tours. In addition to FOD inspection, the technology might be used as a tool for the pavement management system and for detecting wildlife. GigaPan technology is used to develop high-resolution panoramas from multiple grid images. The technology incorporates a robotic camera mount and corresponding software to develop a composite image from multiple images. The high-resolution gigapixel panorama enables a viewer to zoom in on objects within the panorama, similar in approach to Google Earth. Consequently, panorama viewing becomes interactive. This paper reviews GigaPan technology and how it can be incorporated into FOD inspections to promote airfield runway safety.