Honeywell Aerospace and the Phoenix Aviation Department have signed an agreement to study the deployment of Surface Alert (SURF-A) technology on ground vehicles at three Arizona airports: Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (KPHX), Goodyear Airport (KGYR), and Deer Valley Airport (KDVT).
The technology is designed to improve runway safety by providing real-time audio and visual alerts when an aircraft is on a trajectory that could lead to a collision with another aircraft on the same runway.
The proposed expansion to ground vehicles would extend these safety warnings to airport fire trucks, ambulances, and other operational vehicles.
SURF-A uses GPS, Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) data, and advanced software analytics to pinpoint the location of potential traffic hazards.
According to Honeywell, the system can identify dangerous situations up to 30 seconds before a potential impact, giving operators valuable time to react.
Ground vehicle operators would receive the same type of aural warnings and visual “Traffic on Runway” alerts available to pilots in SURF-A-equipped aircraft.
Combined with a digital airport map, the system is intended to improve situational awareness and help vehicle operators recognize approaching aircraft and other runway hazards.
The initiative marks the first time this collision-avoidance technology is being studied for deployment on airport ground vehicles.
If successful, it could introduce an additional layer of protection in areas where aircraft and ground vehicles operate in close proximity, particularly during busy airport operations.
Testing is scheduled to begin in October 2026 and is expected to conclude by the end of the year.
Bob Buddecke, president and CEO of Electronic Solutions at Honeywell Aerospace, described the initiative as a new frontier in runway safety. He highlighted the importance of providing early alerts not only to pilots but also to emergency responders and other airport vehicle operators who face the risk of high-speed runway collisions.
The study will assess how SURF-A can be integrated into airport ground operations and whether early warnings can help prevent dangerous runway encounters. If adopted, the technology could become an important tool in reducing runway collision risks at airports.
