The Chicago Department of Aviation is installing ADB SAFEGATE’s Safedock Advanced Visual Docking Guidance Systems (A-VDGS) to ensure safe and precise aircraft parking on Terminal 5 gates at Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD). The deal comes amid a large-scale expansion project at Terminal 5, aimed at improving efficiency and reducing delays. The project is expected to increase gate capacity by 25%, adding 10 new gates and upgrading existing gates to accommodate larger aircraft. ADB SAFEGATE was awarded the contract by electrical contractor, Gurtz Electric Co.
In 2016, the Chicago Department of Aviation first installed 16 Safedock A-VDGS on Terminal 5 gates in place of older technology. Terminal operator, Chicago Airlines Terminal Consortium (CATCo), which manages the gates and ramp staff at Terminal 5, have utilized the Safedock A-VDGS technology since 2016. The new contract includes 20 additional Safedock systems.
“Existing ADB SAFEGATE units previously installed at Terminal 5 over the past few years were very warmly received by our airline community. An automated system like Safedock ensures safe, precise and efficient aircraft parking, which can even potentially assist with avoiding delays as well as ground incidents,” said Chris Diaferio, executive director at Chicago Airlines Terminal Consortium (CATCo). “ADB SAFEGATE has been a good partner for us at O’Hare, making it effortless to voice our approval of Safedock A-VDGS for the new gates at Terminal 5.”
To maximize capacity, the Terminal 5 gates will utilize a MARS (Multiple Apron Ramp System) configuration to accommodate one wide-body aircraft or be easily converted to two narrow-body positions. During the competitive bid process, the Safedock A-VDGS were found to be the best solution for the challenging gate designs.
The 3D technology in the Safedock systems scans the gate area vertically and horizontally to measure and track the aircraft, ensuring flexibility and aircraft-gate…