Phoenix Airports: Pioneering Ground Vehicle Safety with Honeywell SURF-A Technology
Three major airports in the Phoenix metropolitan area are on track to become the first globally to implement Honeywell Aerospace’s Surface Alert (SURF-A) collision-avoidance technology in ground vehicles. This innovative safety initiative has the potential to revolutionize the prevention of deadly runway incursions.
Honeywell Aerospace is collaborating with the Phoenix Aviation Department to explore the feasibility of expanding the application of SURF-A technology. Previously, this technology was exclusively used in aircraft cockpits. The pilot program, which began in October 2026, is testing its use in ground vehicles operating on the tarmac at Sky Harbor, Deer Valley, and Goodyear airports. The City of Phoenix has invested $30,000 into this study, which is projected to conclude by the end of the year.
At present, SURF-A provides pilots with real-time aural and visual alerts when they are within 30 seconds of a potential collision with another aircraft on the runway. This is achieved through the use of GPS and ADS-B data. The Phoenix pilot program aims to extend these warnings to ground vehicle operators, such as fire trucks and maintenance crews. This could potentially add an additional 7 to 10 critical seconds of warning time, potentially preventing tragic accidents.
This initiative was prompted by a fatal incident in March 2026, when a plane collided with a fire truck on the runway at New York’s LaGuardia Airport. This tragic event resulted in the death of two pilots and injuries to dozens more. Upon completion of the Phoenix study, Honeywell and the Phoenix Aviation Department will assess whether SURF-A can be implemented as a standard ground safety feature at airports nationwide.