Template revised January 10, 2019.
COMMISSION
AGENDA MEMORANDUM
Item No. 8g
ACTION ITEM Date of Meeting February 11, 2025
DATE: January 30, 2025
TO: Stephen P. Metruck, Executive Director
FROM: Laurel Dunphy, Director, Aviation Operations
Eileen Francisco, Director, Aviation Project Management
SUBJECT: Virtual Ramp Tower Design Authorization (C802009)
Amount of this request: $15,000,000
Total estimated project cost:
$29,100,000-$40,000,000
ACTION REQUESTED
Request Commission authorization for the Executive Director to (1) authorize design and
preparation of construction documents for the Virtual Ramp Tower; (2) execute a contract with
Saab, inc. for equipment and services and (3) use of Port of Seattle crews to support design and
construction activities. This request is for $15 million of a total estimated project cost of $29.1
to $40 million.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Ramp Tower at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Airport) directs aircraft movement
between the gates and cargo areas to the FAA’s airfield movement area. This is a critical
component of Port of Seattle Airport operations. This project will be creating a Virtual Ramp
Tower (VRT) for the Airport, which will help to ensure safe and efficient operations for the
Airport. A VRT replaces the physical tower where controllers use line-of-sight to view ramp traffic
with a series of sophisticated cameras that show an improved panoramic view on multiple
displays. The VRT will provide the controllers with critical visibility and will integrate with the
Surface Area Management System to improve situational awareness and efficiency. This request
is for design authorization, as well as contracting authorization with a sole source manufacturer
for equipment and services.
JUSTIFICATION
The Airport is the 12th busiest airport in North America, with an average of over 1,100 operations
a day. Critical to these operations is the movement of aircraft to and from the gates and cargo
facilities. At the Airport there are two towers responsible for this coordination, the Federal
Aviation Administration’s Air Traffic Control (ATC) Tower and the Seattle Ramp Tower. The ATC
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 8g Page 2 of 5
Meeting Date: February 11, 2025
Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).
is responsible for aircraft in the movement area, primarily comprised of the airspace, runways,
and interconnected taxiways. The Airport’s ramp tower directs aircraft movement in the ramp
and cargo areas. This includes aircraft arriving to a gate, leaving a gate, and towing operations to
different gate or hanger locations. The footprint of the Airport is significantly smaller than most
large hub airports, which adds complexity to moving aircraft. Any issue with moving an aircraft
can create a cascading effect that creates multiple impacts to other airlines and passengers. The
Airport has successfully implemented software solutions to help mitigate risks and increase
efficiency in operations through the Surface Area Management System (SAMS). The Virtual Ramp
Tower will leverage and integrate with SAMS to provide an efficient and safer operation at the
Airport.
In addition to the complexities of operations at the Airport, the existing ramp tower is space
constrained with limited visibility to the North due to the obstruction of the new C Concourse
Expansion (CCE) Building. Currently, the north view uses temporary cameras that are not
integrated into any existing software through the construction of CCE. The completed CCE
building will include a supplemental ramp tower to monitor views blocked by the structure. This
configuration results in a split ramp tower operation which is less efficient and undesirable.
This project will be creating a virtual ramp tower by installing camera arrays on the north and
south side of the Airport and building out an office space for the controllers to manage aircraft
operations in the ramp and cargo areas of the Airport. This will allow for an expanded location
that can accommodate more visual feeds and support multiple controllers in a single location.
This solution will also add flexibility to support increases in aircraft activity. The virtual ramp
tower will integrate with existing systems and data feeds to create more efficient and safer
operations, such as using infrared cameras to be able to see planes in low visibility conditions.
Virtual ramp towers are used at several U.S. airports including George Bush Intercontinental
Airport, Kansas City International Airport, and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.
Diversity in Contracting
Project is using Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contracts for design with a 16
percent WMBE goal.
DETAILS
This project will install 2 camera arrays, one on the north end and one on the south end of the
Airport with dedicated mechanical rooms. Supplemental cameras will be used to provide
additional views. In addition, this project will build out office space for the Virtual Ramp Tower
including a manager’s office, break space, and training room. This work includes: communication
and electrical infrastructure, mechanical improvements, and structural work. These systems will
need to be connected to back-up power. An existing competition waiver is in place for the use of
the manufacturer Saab, who is the manufacturer for the existing ramp monitoring software.
Scope of Work
(1) Install and commission Camera arrays and associated equipment;
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 8g Page 3 of 5
Meeting Date: February 11, 2025
Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).
(2) Equipment room build out for each camera array;
(3) Supplemental cameras;
(4) Office space build-out; and
(5) All other work required to provide a Virtual Ramp Tower for Seattle-Tacoma
International Airport.
Schedule
Activity
Commission design authorization 2025 Quarter 1
Design start 2025 Quarter 2
Commission construction authorization 2026 Quarter 2
Construction start 2026 Quarter 3
In-use date 2028 Quarter 4
Cost Breakdown This Request
Total Project
Design $4,600,000
$5,820,000
Construction $10,400,000
$23,280,000
Total $15,000,000
$29,100,000
ALTERNATIVES AND IMPLICATIONS CONSIDERED
Alternative 1 – Use the existing ramp tower with a second location in the new Concourse C
Expansion building creating a split operation.
Cost Implications: Expense $15,000 spent to date
Pros:
(1) Does not require additional capital spending outside of CCE
Cons:
(1) No additional camera views will be added
(2) Requires additional controllers to operate the second location, which increases expense
costs for the Airport
(3) Adds additional complexity when coordinating between Ramp and ATC Tower
(4) Does not allow for leveraging existing software for improved efficiency
(5) Space constraints do not allow for flexibility to support increasing flight activity
This is not the recommended alternative.
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 8g Page 4 of 5
Meeting Date: February 11, 2025
Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).
Alternative 2 – Build out the North Tower Array with a virtual ramp tower room. New room will
coordinate with existing Ramp Tower viewing the South Ramp area.
Cost Implications: $18,000,000 - $25,000,000
Pros:
(1) Provides clear sight lines for the North part of the airfield
(2) Allows for integration with the existing systems for north operations
Cons:
(1) Requires additional controllers to operate the second location, which increases
operational expense costs
(2) Does not allow for integration with existing software for the south operations
(3) Requires significant capital expenditure
(4) Adds additional complexity when coordinating between Ramp and ATC Tower
This is not the recommended alternative.
Alternative 3 – Build a virtual ramp tower with two camera arrays and supplemental cameras
that integrates into the existing ramp tower systems.
Cost Implications: $29.1-$40 million
Pros:
(1) Provides a central location for ramp operations
(2) Allows for integration with existing software to create efficient operations
(3) Provides clear views to the north and south
(4) Lowest operational expense cost of the 3 alternatives
(5) Adds flexibility for increased aircraft activity
Cons:
(1) Requires capital expenditure
This is the recommended alternative.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
Cost Estimate
/Authorization Summary Capital
Expense
Total
COST ESTIMATE
Original estimate $29,100,000
$0
$29,100,000
AUTHORIZATION
Previous authorizations $50,000
0
$50,000
Current request for authorization $15,000,000
0
$15,000,000
Total authorizations, including this request $15,050,000
0
$15,050,000
Remaining amount to be authorized $14,050,000
$0
$14,050,000
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 8g Page 5 of 5
Meeting Date: February 11, 2025
Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).
Annual Budget Status and Source of Funds
This project (C802009) was not included in the 2025-2029 capital budget and plan of finance. A
budget of $29,100,000 was transferred from the Aeronautical Allowance
1
CIP C800753 resulting
in zero net change to the Aviation capital budget. The funding sources will be revenue bonds.
Financial Analysis and Summary
Project cost for analysis $29,100,000
Business Unit (BU) Airfield Movement Area
Effect on business performance
(NOI after depreciation)
NOI after depreciation will increase due to inclusion of
capital (and operating) costs in airline rate base.
IRR/NPV (if relevant) N/A
CPE Impact $0.11 in 2029
Future Revenues and Expenses (Total cost of ownership)
Recurring licensing and maintenance fees, estimated at <$500,000> annually will be budgeted in
the Aviation Operations operating budget starting in 2027 or 2028, depending on system
deployment schedule
ATTACHMENTS TO THIS REQUEST
(1) Presentation slides
PREVIOUS COMMISSION ACTIONS OR BRIEFINGS
None
1
The Aeronautical Allowance is included in the Capital Improvement Plan to ensure funding capacity for
unspecified projects, cost increases for existing projects, new initiatives, and unforeseen needs. This ensures funding
capacity for unanticipated spending within the dollar amount of the Allowance CIP.
