Honeywell Aerospace today announced it has signed an agreement with the City of Phoenix Aviation Department to study bringing the company’s Surface Alert (SURF-A) technology to ground vehicle operators at three local airports: Phoenix Sky Harbor International, Phoenix Goodyear and Phoenix Deer Valley.
Currently, SURF-A sends pilots real-time aural and visual alerts when they’re on a trajectory to collide with another aircraft on the runway. Now, the collaborative research agreement will evaluate the expansion of SURF-A’s safety impact beyond the cockpit to airport ground vehicles operating on tarmacs, taxiways and runways. This will provide operators with a new integrated tool to alert them of potential runway collisions.
The SURF-A avionics technology will be combined with a digital airport map to bolster operators’ real-time situational awareness. The collaboration between Honeywell Aerospace and Phoenix marks the first time any airport in the world will use this type of collision avoidance technology aboard ground vehicles.
“This is a new frontier in runway safety; and as a Phoenix-based company, we’re proud to partner with our local airports to ensure Phoenix has not only the friendliest airport, but one of the safest,” said Bob Buddecke, president and CEO of Electronic Solutions, Honeywell Aerospace.
“Pilots need direct alerts of potential runway collisions, but so do firetruck, ambulance and other drivers that can be at risk of a high-speed collision on a runway. Airport vehicle operators have been asking for this technology because an early alert can mean the difference between a safe pass and a major collision.”
SURF-A uses GPS data, automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) equipment and advanced software analytics to pinpoint the exact location of traffic hazards up to 30 seconds before impact. Pilots hear the alert in their headsets and see a “Traffic on runway” alert on cockpit displays if on a collision course. Ground vehicles at the three Phoenix airports will soon have the same technology installed for testing.
The technology will be tested in airport vehicles at Phoenix Sky Harbor, Deer Valley and Goodyear airports beginning in October and continuing through the end of 2026. After the test period, the two parties will meet to determine next steps along with exploring other opportunities for further collaboration around safety and efficiency of operations.
“Phoenix leads on innovation and has always embraced technology that makes our city safer and strengthens our position as a global leader in aviation,” Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego said. “By partnering with hometown innovator Honeywell Aerospace, we bring first-of-its-kind collision-avoidance technology to ground vehicles on runways. This collaboration will help protect airport employees, passengers, and flight crews while advancing next generation runway safety around the world.”
SURF-A is the latest in Honeywell Aerospace’s longstanding portfolio of runway-safety products, including the Runway Awareness and Advisory System (RAAS) and SmartRunway and SmartLanding software. Those technologies are installed on roughly 6,000 commercial aircraft, comprising more than 20% of the world’s fleet.
FAA certification of SURF-A on Boeing aircraft is expected in the fourth quarter of 2026, with certification for additional aircraft platforms to follow. Aeromexico recently announced its intent to install SURF-A on more than 100 of its aircraft.
About Honeywell Aerospace
Honeywell Aerospace (Nasdaq: HONA) is an independent global aerospace and defense company whose critical technologies are broadly deployed on the world’s leading commercial air transport, business aviation, defense and space platforms. These integrated solutions enable safer, more efficient and more reliable missions. Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, the company employs more than 36,000 people globally and supports more than 10,000 customers. With a broad portfolio spanning avionics and navigation systems, engines and power systems, and control systems for aircraft, Honeywell Aerospace combines commitment and deep engineering expertise to drive innovation and long-term value for the aerospace industry.
Featured image credited to Honeywell Aerospace
