Environmental assessment of Obstacle Limitation Surfaces (OLS) in airports using geographic information technologies

A series of 3D obstacle limitation surfaces (OLS) define the limits to which objects may project in the airspace in order to configure the airspace around aerodromes that must be kept free from obstacles. The aim is to ensure that aircraft can safely carry out their scheduled operations, and to prevent the aerodromes from becoming unusable due to the proliferation of obstacles in the surrounding area. One such possible obstacle is the vegetation growing in the zone. This work consists of a study of the variation in the vegetation in the El Prat airport (Barcelona-El Prat Josep Tarradellas) and the surrounding area in the years 2011–2018, and of the way in which it has influenced the configuration of the OLS. Until 2010, obstacle studies were carried out every four years but the growth of plant obstacles during this period was not controlled. Although the rate of tree growth depends on several factors such as age, species, site quality and forestry treatment, the parameter analysed in this research is height, as this is what will interfere in the OLS. This study therefore focuses on measuring the height and geolocation of the obstacle in order to determine its influence on the OLS, and on determining the subsequent actions, if any, that need to be taken in regard to this vegetation element to avoid it becoming a risk to operational safety. As a result, the growth and vulnerability of 84 vegetation obstacles from 794 terrain elements have been detected. The result of this study is the design, using geographic information systems, of a tool to assist airport managers in the automated control and monitoring of the vegetation in the obstacle limitation surfaces to avoid compromising the safety of airport operations and mitigating environmental impacts.