How Sensors Will Help Maintain Social Distancing At IGI Airport

New Delhi: Physical distancing in an airport is not very easy to accomplish and certainly needs more than just security personnel for enforcement. That is why Delhi International Airport Limited, the operator of Indira Gandhi International Airport, has installed around 513 overhead sensors at Terminal 3. These generate a density map that alerts ground staff immediately when flyers breach social distancing norms.

DIAL announced the innovative measure on Tuesday and said the sensor system sends alerts to a team of over 200 marshals and ground staff that helps them to precisely identify the area where social distancing rules are being flouted. DIAL says it has adopted the technology in anticipation of a possible increase in passenger load when full-fledged international operations are permitted.

The airport officials explained that the sensors of the technology, XOVIS PTS, generate a grid of the area, identifying people as moving dots. If the dots get too close and signify crowding, the system generates an alert while also sending emails to the ground staff and management with information about the exact location of the physical distancing breach. “The ground staff and our marshals can go to the spot, but since we cannot penalise passengers, they can only request the people to stand apart at the required distance,” said a DIAL official.

The physical distancing indicator (PDI) is inbuilt into the software with prefixed values. If the PDI value is less than 1, it means social distancing is being maintained. A score of 2 and above conveys congestion. A value of 3 and above indicates absolute lack of social distancing, with large groups standing in close proximity. DIAL said an alert is sent to the monitoring officials as soon as the PDI value touches 1.5. “In order to prevent further escalation, this first alert allows us to identify the problem and immediately address it,” said the official.

DIAL CEO Videh Kumar Jaipuriar disclosed that the technology was in the works for over a year and has been installed now after successful testing. It was made operational in the last week of December, after being put to use earlier to ensure queue management. “The technology works and it works well,” declared Jaipuriar. “We are constantly looking at new options that will assist us in enhancing the customer experience while ensuring their safety. As passenger traffic begins to rise, this technology will make sure travellers are still able to move around safely.”

IGIA is operating at around 70% of its full domestic passenger load. When international operations resumed, the sensor system is likely to be a significant aid. “It will help in smooth transition when there is a sudden surge in passenger traffic,” said the official.