A strategy removing the need for aircraft to use their main engines during taxiing is being studied by a research project being coordinated by the Institute of Aerospace Technologies at the University of Malta, in collaboration with HandsOn Systems and Malta Air Traffic Services.
The strategy proposes the use of autonomous, electric tow trucks to move aircraft between the terminal and the runway, and vice-versa, during taxi operations, Stefano Zaninotto, an engineer said.
The project, called Satmet, is focusing on three main challenges, the first being the introduction of  autonomous towing operations on the airfield while keeping air traffic controllers (ATCs) aware of what was happening but without increasing their workload.
For this purpose, Satmet was developing a system which would be responsible for allocating a tow truck to each taxiing aircraft; determining the optimal path to be followed by the tow trucks and aircraft and detecting and resolving any conflicts between vehicles on the taxiways.
Mr Zaninotto said the system would provide ATCs with information regarding the movement and status of each vehicle, and alert them about any impending conflicts. It would also…