New radar system at Newark Liberty International Airport aims to improve runway safety
NEWARK, New Jersey (WABC) -- U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy unveiled a new surface movement radar at Newark Liberty International Airport on Tuesday.
The radar will help air traffic controllers to better track runways in all weather conditions.
The federal government says it will improve runway safety and prevent potential collisions.
"It allows controllers on a dark night, or controllers in bad weather if they can't see out of the tower and see what's happening on the tarmac, they can actually use this radar to see on the screens where everything is at, airplanes, vehicles, and again, it keeps the American traveling public safer," Duffy said.
This past March, LaGuardia Airport was closed for hours after an Air Canada regional plane collided with a Port Authority vehicle, killing the two pilots. It's an example of an accident that the updated technology is meant to prevent.
It's part of the Trump Administration's long list of updates included in a $12.5 billion modernization project, along with the rollout of high-tech flight management software.
It could be particularly impactful at New York-area airports which see more than 140 million passengers a year.
"We know that our customers don't care why they are delayed or whose fault it really was, it only matters when it works well for them," said Port Authority Executive Director Kathryn Garcia.
The updates are meant to help air traffic controllers, not replace them.
The FAA says 4,000 new controllers have been hired nationwide - but many are still in training.
Passengers at Newark, which has had to bear the brunt of the staffing shortage, hope everything comes together seamlessly.
"As long as we keep safety intact and the implementation smooth, I'm all for that," flier Jennifer Hobbs said.
Newark becomes the fifth airport in the nation to install the new technology.
More surface movement radars are being installed within the next year at our country's main airports, including at LaGurdia and JFK -- with the entire modernization effort expected to be done by the end of 2028.
----------
* Get Eyewitness News Delivered
* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts
Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News
Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply.
