Smart Infrastructure Without the Headaches: Modernizing Without Massive IT Projects

Michael Bettua Square
March 26, 2025//Airports/airport tech, airports, construction, it modernization, mesh network, mesh networks, operational efficiency, smart infrastructure

Airports face labor shortages and stricter FAA requirements, making traditional, large-scale IT projects outdated. Instead, wireless mesh networks offer a flexible, scalable way to improve operational visibility. These systems enable real-time insights without the cost or disruption of legacy infrastructure. The future lies in smart, incremental technology that boosts safety and efficiency.

The airport industry is facing a perfect storm.

Airports are grappling with labor shortages while facing increasing FAA safety management requirements that demand more comprehensive monitoring than ever before. These competing challenges require a new approach to airport technology that prioritizes innovation and adaptability over large-scale legacy infrastructure projects.

Smart Infrastructure Without the Headaches Modernizing Without Massive IT Projects

The End of Monolithic Technology Projects

For decades, airports have relied on the same approach to infrastructure upgrades: massive capital projects, extensive wiring, proprietary networks, and specialized equipment. This model worked when tracking a limited number of high-value assets like aircraft.

But today’s operational reality is different. Airport operations must ensure that every moving thing is in the right place at the right time.  This means knowing the whereabouts of hundreds of maintenance vehicles, thousands of workers, and countless other assets moving throughout the facilities. The traditional approach doesn’t match this need or scale, leaving airports with costly, rigid systems that fail to address modern operational demands.

The Mesh Network Revolution

What’s emerging instead is a more adaptable approach to infrastructure. Wireless mesh networks allow airports to gather the situational awareness they need without the traditional headaches. The technology creates a self-expanding network similar to how your home Wi-Fi works—each new device strengthens the overall ecosystem.

This shift isn’t just about technology – it represents a fundamental change in how we think about operational visibility. Instead of siloed systems that require years to implement, we’re seeing adaptable technologies that can be deployed incrementally.

The Future of Airport Operations

The airports succeeding in this environment don’t have the most significant IT budgets. They’re reimagining how technology can enhance human judgment rather than replace it.

When escorts monitoring construction workers can receive automatic and immediate alerts if someone wanders into a restricted area or when field maintenance can track precisely how long it takes to clear snow from specific runway sections in January vs. February, you gain unprecedented operational intelligence without disruption.

The future belongs to airports that can adapt quickly, implement incrementally, and gain operational insights without multi-year technology projects. Meeting tomorrow’s regulatory requirements will depend less on capital expenditure and more on operational intelligence that enhances safety without compromising efficiency.

To learn more about our Volan technology, please contact us.

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Our Airport Solution

Solution Airports

The Volan Positioning System (VPS) is a powerful micro-location tracking technology that provides a comprehensive suite of use cases tailored for airports. It addresses both operational efficiency and construction safety, delivering safer, more efficient airport environments.

  • Our Resource Tracking Use Case demonstrates how VPS improves aircraft on-time performance by enabling real-time visibility of ground resources like tugs, baggage handlers, and fuel trucks. VPS proactively prevents delays, optimizes resource allocation, enhances safety, and increases accountability.
  • Our Construction Barrier Use Case showcases how VPS provides a geofenced tracking for airport construction sites, providing instant alerts if workers enter restricted areas, along with precise location data and a live map view. This solution helps airports meet regulatory requirements without the high costs and inefficiencies associated with human escorts.

Learn more about our Solution for Airports