Engineering researchers at the University of Arkansas have created a statistical model of daily operations at general aviation airports that might uncover unusual activity that could indicate a security threat.
The model creates a range of usual or normal activity, and any activity outside that range–an unexpected spike in the number of takeoffs and landings, for example–might suggest a security problem. “We want to understand the variation associated with usual general aviation activity and operations, so unusual activity can be detected, analyzed and resolved,” said Justin Chimka, professor of industrial engineering.
Historical data allows basic assumptions or expectations about what should be going on at these airports,” he said. “Now we have to ask ourselves if reality–what’s really going on–meets these statistical expectations.” The research is being supported by the Department of Homeland Security.