The transformative potential of Senzary’s wireless IoT for Mid-Sized Airports
Abstract
This article examines the transformative potential of the long-distance LoRaWAN network in wireless IoT, its adoption in the US and LATAM markets, and its integration with AI to optimize operations at mid-sized US airports.
We will explore the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) as a funding catalyst and the economic significance of mid-sized airports. We will also analyze how companies like Senzary enable plug-and-play LoRaWAN solutions to accelerate IoT adoption.
Learn with Case studies, including Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) and Pittsburgh International, highlighting practical applications and opportunities.
1. Introduction
Mid-sized airports in the US serve as critical economic hubs but face challenges such as budget constraints, aging infrastructure, and rising passenger expectations.
Wireless IoT technologies like LoRaWAN offer cost-effective solutions for operational efficiency, while federal programs like the AIP provide funding to modernize infrastructure. This paper expands on the intersection of LoRaWAN, AI, and airports, focusing on IoT innovations and the role of AIP grants in driving adoption.
2. Wireless IoT and LoRaWAN: Overview
2.1 What is LoRaWAN?
LoRaWAN is a Low-Power Wide-Area Network (LPWAN) protocol for wireless, battery-operated devices. It operates in unlicensed spectrum bands, making it cost-effective and accessible. Key features include:
– Long Range: Communication over distances of up to 15 km in rural and 5 km in urban areas.
– Low Power: Devices can operate for years on a single battery.
– Scalability: Supports millions of devices per network.
2.2 Applications of LoRaWAN
- Indoors – 80,000 sq ft plus of coverage.
- Outdoors – 2 to 20 miles of coverage
- Logistics (e.g., asset tracking, fleet management).
- Facilities and Industrial IoT (e.g., predictive maintenance, energy monitoring, leak detection).
- Multiple inter-operable sensors
3. Market Penetration: US and LATAM Mid-Sized Airports
- AIP Funding: The FAA’s Airport Improvement Program allocated $3.2 billion in 2023 for infrastructure upgrades, including IoT-enabled systems.
- Mid-Sized Airports: Airports with 2.5–10 million annual passengers (FAA Category: Small Hubs). The US has about one hundred mid-sized airports (FAA, 2023). They contribute $150 billion annually to GDP and support 1.2 million jobs (ACI-NA, 2022). Their Passenger Traffic serves 30% of US air travelers (250 million passengers annually).
- LATAM’s IoT market is to reach $14.7 billion by 2025 (IDC, 2023), with LoRaWAN adoption growing in South America, led by companies such as Senzary and its partners Anixter, DXC, and others in the Region.
4. Mid-Sized Airports: Challenges and IoT Opportunities
4.1 Key Challenges
- Budget Constraints: Limited capital for large-scale upgrades.
- Contracting challenges vendors needed to monitor various areas
- Operational Inefficiencies: Manual processes for baggage tracking, maintenance, and security.
- Sustainability Goals: Pressure to reduce energy consumption and emissions.
- Disruption: Solutions that require installation, wiring, or network access delays and complicate the operation
4.2 How Airports Can Leverage AIP Funding for IoT
The AIP program prioritizes projects that enhance safety, capacity, and sustainability. Examples of fundable IoT initiatives:
- Asset lifecycle management
- Baggage Tracking: Low-cost LoRaWAN/Rfid tags to reduce loss rates (currently 5–7 bags per 1,000 passengers).
- Smart Infrastructure: LoRaWAN-enabled sensors for real-time condition monitoring.
- Energy Management: AI-driven HVAC optimization using LoRaWAN temperature sensors.
- Smart equipment monitoring to kill two birds with one stone: improved passenger experience and reduced downtime.
Case Study: Jacksonville International Airport (JAX)
Background
- Contracted with Senzary their IOT wireless infrastructure with Swift implementation for airport air quality.
- Category: Mid-sized airport (6.3 million passengers in 2023).
- AIP Funding: Received funds in 2023 for terminal modernization and IoT integration.
- Quickly expanded to multiple Airport areas such as restroom people counting, BHS predictive maintenance, door monitoring, odor monitoring, and more.
Lessons Learned:
- Swift Implementation. The SkySmart deployment demonstrated exceptional efficiency:
Installation was completed in days rather than weeks—wireless and battery-operated sensors.
Immediate data compilation upon installation
Pre-staged wireless solutions with plug-and-play components
Single pane of glass asset and sensor allocation. - Baseline Development and Data Collection.
* Comprehensive visibility into airport operations
* Framework for data-driven operational decisions
* Monitoring parameters for future HVAC system performance optimization
* Vibration thresholds for maintenance triggers
Energy monitoring - Infrastructure Monitoring
Door status tracking (open-close)
People counting in restrooms and entrances
Conveyance equipment monitoring (walkways, escalators, elevators)
Baggage handling equipment (BHS) predictive maintenance and Indoor conveyor vibration detection - Environmental Monitoring
Indoor air quality (temperature, humidity, particulate matter, C02, Air quality index)
Volatile organic compounds
Chemical odor detection in storage areas
5.3 LoRaWAN and AI Deployment are delivering many benefits across various areas on airports with minimal NON-Intrusive wireless-enabled technologies
– **Smart Parking**: LoRaWAN sensors guide passengers to open spots, reducing congestion.
– **Predictive Maintenance**: AI analyzes data from LoRaWAN-enabled HVAC systems to cut energy costs by 20%.
5.4 What the future holds: JAX’s IoT projects define the next level of increased passenger satisfaction scores, operational efficiency, and centralized Monitoring expansion.
Projections and predictive-enabled solutions make sense of the next 4-6 hours dynamically at the airport to further control environmental systems, usage of resources, reduce downtime or its impact, and provide dynamic information to passengers and airport employees in real-time
6. Case Study: Senzary at Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT)
– Deployment: research, Tracker,Vibration , People counters
Senzary provides easy-to-use LoRaWAN solutions that are ready to implement.
Overview of Senzary
Mission: Provide IoT access with Agnostic but interoperable, affordable, secure, and scalable LoRaWAN solutions.
Key Product: SkySmart Airport portal solutions, comprised of pre-configured LoRaWAN sensor kits for airports (e.g., environmental monitors and asset trackers).
How Senzary Addresses Airport Needs:
- Minimal disruption to Airport operations
- Cost Reduction: Eliminates custom coding; sensors deploy in <1 hour.
- AIP Compliance: Solutions align with AIP’s sustainability and efficiency goals.
7. Future Opportunities
1. AIP-Funded IoT Projects: Mid-sized airports can prioritize LoRaWAN in grant applications.
2. Senzary’s Expansion: Targeting LATAM airports with similar challenges.
3. AI-LoRaWAN Synergy: Edge AI for real-time decision-making (e.g., rerouting baggage during delays).
Solutions
People Counting Solutions
Asset Tracking Systems
Infrastructure Monitoring
Time-of-Flight Technology
3D stereo vision sensors achieve 95-98% accuracy in passenger counting
Coverage for doorways from 0.9m to 15.4m wide
Effective monitoring in low-light conditions
GDPR-compliant with no camera usage
Advanced Analytics
Real-time queue length monitoring
Wait time measurement at service points
Historical occupancy trend analysis
Integration with existing CCTV systems
Equipment Monitoring
Real-time location monitoring of:
Baggage carts
Jet bridges
Ground service vehicles
Wheelchairs
Door operation monitoring
HVAC system performance tracking
Power unit usage optimization
Predictive Maintenance
Sensor Implementation
Continuous monitoring of critical parameters:
Temperature variations
Vibration patterns
Pressure levels
Motor performance
Operational Benefits
Early detection of equipment wear
Reduction in unplanned downtime
Real-time maintenance alerts
Automated diagnostic collection
Network Architecture
9. Conclusion
Mid-sized airports are pivotal to US air travel, and LoRaWAN IoT solutions—supported by AIP funding and vendors like Senzary—can drive efficiency, sustainability, and passenger satisfaction. By adopting plug-and-play systems, airports can overcome budget barriers and compete with larger hubs.
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## References
1. FAA. (2023). *Airport Improvement Program Handbook*. [FAA.gov](https://www.faa.gov)
2. LoRa Alliance. (2023). *LoRaWAN Market Report*.
3. IDC. (2023). *LATAM IoT Spending Forecast*.
4. Airports Council International (ACI-NA). (2022). *Economic Impact of US Airports*.
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