12/10/2009
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Airport safety researchers have a new work space in Newmark Civil Engineering Laboratory, the opening of which was marked Dec. 9 by a ribbon cutting, video presentation and tour. Funded by the University and the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, the new offices will be used by faculty and students working with the Airport Safety Management Program.
Led by Professor Edwin E. Herricks, the Airport Safety Management Program functions under the auspices of the Center of Excellence for Airport Technology (CEAT), a research center headquartered in the department and sponsored by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the O’Hare Modernization Program. Herricks’ research focuses on the development of a systems approach to minimizing wildlife/aircraft interactions and improving aircraft safety. He was the 2008 recipient of the FAA’s Excellence in Aviation Research Award, given for work that results in a significantly safer, more efficient national airspace system.
“Professor Herricks’ program in wildlife safety has been a proud success of the Center of Excellence,” said David A. Lange, Director of CEAT. “Professor Herricks has led the way in bringing together industry, academia and government to address very serious problems that face airports today.”
The newly renovated space is located in the basement of Newmark Lab in room B1114. It includes offices and a conference room and features flat-panel monitors displaying live radar images from several airports across the country at which Herricks conducts research.
Technical assistance for the video conferencing and tour was provided by Dave Mayer and Peter Lazar, technical specialists for the Airport Safety Management Program; and Jinfeng Wang, a Ph.D. student in Herricks’ research group.
Photos:
Top, Professor Ed Herricks explains the displays of live radar images from Seattle-Tacoma Airport and the Naval Air Station at Whidbey Island, airports at which he is conducting wildlife safety research.
Below, Professor David Lange cuts the ribbon at the new CEAT work space.