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Apron illumination: Researchers improve measurement
The method developed by the Darmstadt researchers makes use of a digital still camera and a software tailored for this type of measurements. One of the drawbacks of the conventional luxmeter method is that it takes measurements at up to 60 locations in order to achieve valid results. Since with this method the shadows of parking airplanes are not reliably identified and taken into account, the overall results are not overly reliable. The method developed by the Technical University, in contrast, requires only four measurement points which can be acquired with one single exposure.
The technique makes use of a single lens reflex camera which is equipped with a software that generates an luminance map and thus the appropriate lux value. It also detects obstacles and other bodies. In addition, the resolution of the measurement is much higher than if it was obtained by a luxmeter. Since the measurement is performed on a crane at an elevation of 10 to 30 meters, the airport staff is not required to enter the apron.
Airports regularly have to prove on a regular basis that their illumination meets the requirements. Part of this process is that the staff has to present evidence that their qualification also meets the standards. For this reason the researchers also have developed a qualification concept which includes a certification. The certification has been accepted by the Hesse air transport administration which, among others, oversees the near-by Frankfurt-Main airport.
The method is based on a diploma thesis of Sven Schneider and has been enhanced by the professors Ralf Blendowske and Wolgang Heddrich of the department for mathematics and nature science of the Darmstadt Technical University, along with researcher Matthias Etzel.
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