b'The airport increased deicing efficiency by adding two more glycol storage 34 YVR WINTER OPERATIONS tanks closer to the airfield. Supplementingthe FleetFollowing storms in December 2022 that seriously disrupted service at Vancouver International Airport (YVR), the Vancouver Airport Authority invested in seven pieces of new snow removal equipment to bolster an already-impressive fleet of more than 100 In addition, YVR committed to identifying and training 25% more employees tounits. support passengers in the terminal during future weather events. The goal is to ensureThe British Columbia airport added the all information counters and busy checkpoints are fully staffed when passengers needfollowing veraasen equipment:them most. two TV100 snow blowershigh-The airport has implemented a dedicated resource hub on its website thatspeed, self-propelled units with a will be activated during major events and supported by social media. This newunique flying cab that allows drivers communication tool provides key updates about operating status, information aboutto be placed in front or back of the getting to and from the airport, details about accessibility services, relevant contactblower for increased visibility and a information and answers to frequently asked questions.smoother, quieter working environmentBroader Takeaways four RSC250 compact sweepers While the Four Days incident and subsequent review generatedthat can operate autonomouslyspecific action steps for YVR, it also revealed broader insights andeach vehicle has a 792-gallon spray reinforced some existing knowledge.and is designed for use on taxiways and aprons, as well as high-speed When asked if Arup uncovered any surprises in its third-partyoperation on runwaysreview of the airports performance, Kerri Knox says, It wasnt a surprise as much as a good reminder about how important it isone Dammann airport liquid chemical to have a robust data capture plan. Oftentimes, in an interruptionsprayer with a 118-foot boom and or an incident, notes or decision inputs and outputs are notKERRI KNOX the ability to spray nearly 150 feet from captured thoroughly. YVR was comprehensive in their data capture, so there was a lotside nozzlesto go through. All of the equipment was provided by For its part, the airport determined that even more data capture is needed goingTeam Eagle Ltd., a North American dealer forward. Investments in additional technology following the severe weather event willfor veraasen. allow the airport to: Ben McKeown,monitor weather forecasts more closely and precisely; commercial businesst rack on-ground aircraft movements to help enforce new gate protocols; andmanager for Teammeasure and track passenger flow more precisely to help ensure efficientEagle, notes that themovement and identify when staffing adjustments are necessary. European manufacturer offers an industry-The incident also reinforced the importance of regularly reviewing and practicingbest lead time of six emergency plans, even though such exercises are mandated by FAA and other publicto seven months forBEN McKEOWNagencies. runway sweepers and YVR decided to step up its practices in this area after enduring the winter 2022seven to eight months for snow blowers. In storms. The airport holds quarterly training exercises, with involvement from its airlineaddition, veraasen provides a three-year and agency partners as well as emergency response agencies. Personnel rehearsestandard warranty (bumper-to-bumper), severe weather and other emergency procedures to encourage better performance.with multi-year extension options. In retrospect, Vrooman says the all-hands-on-deck response from airportThe airport recently also purchased:employees and outside partners during the 2022 weather event reinforced the quality two Raiko icebreakers, of the team YVR has in placeand the high standards the airport holds itself to.six Snowdogg pickup truck snowplows, During the disruption, we had countless people from all areas of our staff volunteering to come in and help, she recalls. We worked with the hotel and tourismtwo John Deere plow attachments for community to arrange over 400 hotel rooms, which we paid for as an airport, sosmall tractors, and people had a place to go. Im proud of the culture of service and safety that we clearly one commercial sprayer for tight areas have at the airport.and stairs March | April 2024AirportImprovement.com'