Aircraft Detection Lighting Systems: Siting with Foresight

Aircraft Detection Lighting Systems (ADLS) are sensor-based systems designed to detect aircraft as they approach wind turbines or other infrastructure that require aircraft obstruction lighting; these automatically activate the appropriate lights until they are no longer needed by the aircraft. This technology reduces the impact of nighttime lighting on nearby communities and migratory birds and extends the life expectancy of the obstruction lights. We will discuss siting of ADLS towers from two perspectives: function and permitting. The ADLS system should be designed with sufficient sensors to provide complete detection coverage for aircraft that enter a three-dimensional volume of airspace, or coverage area, around the obstruction. Furthermore, because radar systems are line-of-sight (LoS) sensors that are unable to see through solid objects (i.e., hills, tall trees, man-made structures, etc.), ADLS towers must be positioned high enough to provide adequate coverage of the volume of airspace. ADLS tower siting should therefore evaluate the terrain, position of the wind turbines and meteorological towers, and any potential obstructions to determine the location and number of towers required to provide adequate ADLS coverage. State and local permitting processes differ; however, all ADLS towers are subject to National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review to receive a license for operation from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). A brief overview of the FCC’s NEPA process will be provided which includes considerations for wilderness areas and wildlife, waters and wetlands, and tribal and cultural resources.
Also include Jeff Schleicher of DeTech Inc. as a co-author.