Help Achieve Mission-Zero Carbon Emissions With An Electric Powered FOD Sweeping System
The world’s leaders recently met in Glasgow during COP26 to discuss carbon reduction initiatives and targets. A range of industries were identified where specific action is needed, including the mining industry. The aviation sector also has a role to play, although airport decarbonisation plans may need a longer-term perspective.
However, unless we start looking into how we can achieve specific targets through our decisions today, the net-zero carbon objective can become challenging to achieve.
So, how can we act now to reap benefits in the short term? The answer is the choice of FOD sweeping technology being used. Let’s look specifically at “gas-guzzling” truck-based mechanical sweepers. We have a net-zero carbon alternative available today that is more effective, faster and can produce cost-of-ownership savings of up to 95% per month! Motorised or fuel-powered mechanical sweepers are well known for being large and expensive, but they also produce a significant amount of carbon. A typical sweeper truck produces 7,946 (g/km) of carbon, while a typical utility vehicle produces about 213 (g/km). However, a fully electric vehicle and FOD*BOSS combination produce zero carbon emissions!
The FOD*BOSS Ultimate Airfield Sweeper is unrivalled in sweeping efficiency and has no motor, is maintenance-free and is perhaps the most environmentally-friendly FOD sweeping system you can choose when towed by an electric vehicle.
Now we also understand that airside safety is of the utmost importance. When it comes to FOD sweeping, there is nothing more effective than a FOD*BOSS with its unrivalled FOD pick-up rate and ability to operate amongst all the activities occurring within a busy apron. The operational speeds possible with the FOD*BOSS also help to minimise taxiway and runway occupancy times. For example, AOA occupancy times can be reduced by 99% using a FOD*BOSS Duplex or Triplex system. That is a significant time advantage that immediately translates into important productivity and financial benefits for a vital revenue-generating taxiway and runway.
The FOD*BOSS sweeps up to 40 mph (65 kph), so not only can you sweep at your AOA speed limits, but you can also sweep them better and safer too.
While the decarbonisation of the aviation sector is expected to be a long-term proposition, some decarbonisation objectives can be achieved now. The image at the head of this newsletter is from an Australian airport – so we know this is not a theoretical promise – it is achievable now!
For airports, the prospect of purchasing a new vehicle fleet is an expensive proposition that may not be affordable now. However, when you factor in the relatively low cost of a FOD*BOSS and its ability to reduce FOD sweeping expenses up to 95% compared to a mechanical sweeper, these savings may pay for the electric vehicle used for these purposes, as well as support other carbon-reducing initiatives.
