January 23, 2026
by
Airports AI Alliance
The Airports AI Alliance has announced a new strategic partnership with the Center for Smart Streetscapes (CS3), a National Science Foundation–funded Engineering Research Center led by Columbia University. The collaboration is intended to support structured research, testing and evaluation of emerging technologies in airport environments.
Under the partnership, CS3 will work with Airports AI Alliance member airports to support research programmes, test beds and pilot projects. The aim is to provide airports with structured opportunities to trial and assess technologies developed by academic and industry partners in real operational settings before being deployed at scale.
In addition to supporting pilots, CS3 will contribute strategic guidance and thought leadership on how airports can evaluate innovation more systematically. Drawing on its multi-institutional research base and experience running live test environments, the centre will help airports move from early experimentation toward evidence-based adoption.
“CS3 brings rigorous thinking and practical experience in running real-world test beds, which is essential for helping airports evaluate innovation responsibly and at pace,” said Oliver Hendry, Programme Director at the Airports AI Alliance.
From CS3’s perspective, airports are seen as valuable environments for testing technologies designed to address real-world challenges at scale. Andrew Smyth, Director of the Center for Smart Streetscapes and Robert A. W. and Christine S. Carleton Professor of Civil Engineering and Engineering Mechanics at Columbia University, said: “We see airports as valuable partners in testing how smart streetscape technologies can solve real-world problems and contribute to regional and national economic vitality.”
The Airports AI Alliance will share further details on joint research activities and pilot opportunities with CS3 will be shared with member airports in the coming months.
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