How One Airport Plans to Cut FAA-Mandated Escort Costs by 82%

By equipping construction workers with these badges, a single escort can effectively monitor the location of 40 workers using just a laptop. This technology enables the escort to maintain a compliant span of control, ensuring that all workers are always within the designated secure work areas and adhering to safety protocols.

This pioneering solution eliminates the need for the traditional 1:5 escort-to-worker ratio, which leads to high costs, particularly during extended projects.

Here’s the calculation one major U.S. airport used to determine how much they would save by using smart badges:

• For a 6-month construction project involving 40 workers, the airport would typically require 8 escorts at a total cost of about $8,000 daily. With an average of 20 construction days per month, the monthly escort cost would be:
  • 8 escorts x $1,000 per day x 20 days = $160,000 per month
• Over the 6-month project, the total escort cost would amount to $160,000 per month x 6 months = $960,000

In contrast, by implementing advanced positioning technology, the airport found that it could reduce the number of escorts to just one individual for the entire 6-month period. The projected cost breakdown would be as follows:

• One escort for 6 months at $1,000 per day x 20 days per month: $120,000
• Smart Badge Technology licensing fee: $50,000
• Total projected escort cost: $170,000
• By implementing this smart solution, the airport realized they could potentially save $790,000.

That’s $960,000 – $170,000 = $790,000 — a potential cost reduction of over 82%, all while maintaining the highest safety and FAA compliance standards.

Significantly, this innovative approach not only cuts costs but also advances FAA compliance. By providing real-time visibility into worker locations and movements in secure and dangerous areas, the technology helps airports increase a positive span of control at all times.

As more airports explore this innovative approach, the future of construction safety, FAA compliance, and cost-efficiency looks brighter than ever before. By harnessing the power of advanced positioning technology, airports can enhance safety measures, ensure regulatory compliance, and redirect funds to other critical areas – a true win-win for all involved.

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