Tag Archive for: LiDAR

Tampa airport recognised for AI-powered roadway safety system

Tampa International Airport (TPA) has been named one of 16 global finalists for InnoLead’s 2026 Impact Awards, which recognise organisations delivering measurable innovation across a range of industries.

The airport was recognised for its deployment of an AI- and LiDAR-powered warning system designed to prevent overheight vehicles from entering the airport’s Arrivals and Departures roadways, which is a recurring operational challenge at airports worldwide.

Developed with Sotereon.AI, the Overwatch platform combines five LiDAR sensors with artificial intelligence to detect oversized vehicles before they reach restricted areas. When a vehicle exceeds the height limit, digital signs automatically direct drivers away from the terminal while real-time alerts are sent to airport operations and police teams.

“Overwatch takes data from those sensors and turns it into action,” said Doug Wycoff, TPA’s Director of Digital Technologies & Innovation. “We’ve gone from passive warning signs to a fully managed roadway system that tracks height, volume, and speed.”

According to the airport, the system has detected between 18 and 20 overheight vehicles per day since entering service in April. TPA reported that it has not experienced a single overheight vehicle strike since the deployment went live.

The InnoLead Impact Awards winners were announced on 9 June during the Impact 2026 Conference in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

 

Photo: Tampa International Airport

Rome Fiumicino expands LiDAR use for passenger flow management

Aeroporti di Roma (ADR) is scaling up its use of LiDAR-based spatial intelligence at Rome Fiumicino Airport.

The expansion builds on earlier trials conducted under ADR’s “Runway to the Future” innovation programme, where the technology was first deployed in the arrivals’ immigration area. Following positive operational outcomes, the system is now being rolled out across nearly all Schengen common-use areas.

Developed by Outsight, the platform uses 3D LiDAR sensors and real-time analytics to capture and interpret passenger movement, queue formation and congestion patterns. It provides a continuous, data-driven view of how people move through the airport.

Emanuele Calà, Senior Vice President Transformation and Technology at Aeroporti di Roma, said the deployment reflects a broader shift towards data-led operations.

“The decision to expand Outsight’s technology reflects our confidence in solutions that can turn airport data into actionable intelligence,” said Calà.

He added that full visibility over passenger flows enables the airport to act more proactively and deliver “a more seamless and predictable experience” for passengers.

The system supports agile resource allocation, allowing the airport to adjust staffing, open or close checkpoints, and optimise passenger routing based on live conditions rather than static schedules.

The platform creates a digital layer over physical operations, enabling process optimisation and laying the groundwork for future applications such as agentic AI systems and advanced digital twins.

Raul Bravo, President and Co-Founder of Outsight, said the expansion in Rome marks a key milestone. “This large-scale deployment validates our vision of enabling real-time, 3D digitalisation of physical environments to transform operations.”