The Surface Awareness Initiative (SAI) system plays a crucial role in airport operations. It uses Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS-B) data to help air traffic controllers manage surface traffic at airports lacking dedicated surveillance tools. Aircraft and vehicles equipped with ADS-B show up as icons on a detailed airport map that includes runways, taxiways, and hold ramps. This system aims to enhance situational awareness for air traffic controllers, thereby reducing the chances of runway incursions. SAI is part of the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) surface safety portfolio, which also includes two other important tools: Approach Runway Verification (ARV) and the Runway Incursion Device (RID).
