Air traffic: Do self -driving snow plows make the airport safer?

Winter service in the middle of summer? The Airport Leipzig/Halle is now testing what the Stuttgart and Berlin airports tested in winter a few years ago in winter. How reliable can self -driving winter service vehicles help to clear the slopes quickly and safely so that air traffic can run? To answer this question, you don’t need a frost as it says at the airport. After all, it is not about putting snow, but about autonomous driving.

The industry puts great hopes for the new technology. Airports are “particularly suitable locations for autonomous systems because they offer a clearly delimited, controlled environment,” says the managing director of the ADV airport association, Ralph Beisel. “If these systems prove to be reliable and economical, they could become standard in the next few years.”

The advantage: the robo snow plows can work around the clock and in any weather. And thanks to GPS, they do not come from the course in the dark or in fog.

Manufacturer: breakthrough in three to four years

The Swiss manufacturer Aebi Schmidt, who represents the previous test vehicles, is also confident. “The first autonomous devices without a driver should come over the next three to four years,” said CEO Barend Fruithof. His company in the Black Forest location of St. Blasien produces large devices for airports. Airports are easy to monitor and protected rooms – that is an advantage.

Technically, autonomous driving is already possible, adds Fruithof, whose company claims to be clearing the worldwide for clearing vehicles for clearing vehicles. The regulation is another question: “If you can still intervene, who is ultimately responsible?” This must be clarified before autonomous vehicles are on the move.

Test with security driver

The first tests from Aebi Schmidt were available from 2022 at the Stuttgart, Berlin airports and then also in Leipzig, where a new test run is now due. So far, however, there has always been a security driver behind the wheel who could intervene if necessary. But according to Berlin, however, it was never necessary. And it was usually only tested briefly and away from the ongoing flight operations, often without snow.

The conclusion of the three test airports is quite different: While Leipzig/Halle is now starting a new test, the initial euphoria for the new technology seems to have evaporated in Stuttgart. “So far there have been no other projects of this kind here,” said the airport on request. “There are currently no foreseeable ones.”

Berlin relies on robo snow plows

The capital airport BER, on the other hand, was fully convinced and enthusiastic after the first test – and at the end of 2024 a first vehicle with self -driving technology was firmly in its winter service fleet. Two more are ordered.

So far, however, self -driving mode has been eliminated, reports a spokeswoman. The first vehicle, delivered in 2024, was regularly deployed last winter. However, it was controlled by a regular driver. At first, only the assistance systems that warn, for example, would be used when he comes from the route.

That should only be the beginning. The aim is to get by without a driver. “In the long term, we could completely use a column with autonomously driving large snow clearing vehicles,” said the spokeswoman. And the test run showed that this was fundamentally possible. She does not see any problems with security. “This is feasible and solvable.”

A lot of staff needed for the drop in winter

The biggest advantage: winter service would be ready for use at any time if the winter slump suddenly, without employees having to be called out. “In the case of winter breakdowns, ad hoc is necessary a very high level of personnel,” said the spokeswoman. And with the few missions in winter, hardly any routine can develop. “Automation is therefore very helpful.”

Aebi-Schmidt boss Fruithof refers to the USA, where autonomous driving is also a big topic. “If it is snowing in Chicago, 200 to 250 machines are in use,” he said with a view to the international international airport. “People have to be available – they are almost no longer available.”