U.S. researchers have developed an "audio telescope" they say will help airports pinpoint the location of nearby birds.
The device could be a lifesaver because collisions between wildlife — mainly birds — and aircraft have destroyed at least 163 planes and killed 194 people around the world since 1988, the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) said Friday.
Researchers from Intelligent Automation and NIST examine the three circuit boards used in the 'audio telescope' to digitize the input from 192 microphones.
(U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology)
The "audio telescope" is a one-metre-diameter concentric array of 192 microphones. Mounted on the ground, it compares the times that sounds arrive at the different microphones.
"The array can determine the direction from which the sound came, even distinguishing simultaneous sounds coming from different directions," NIST said in a release.
Airports already use radar and infrared cameras to monitor birds, but the audio telescope should provide more detailed information. For example, it can distinguish between different kinds of birds, which is important because not all species are equally dangerous.
"The researchers adapted mathematical algorithms designed to allow speech recognition systems to identify different speakers in order to distinguish different species by their calls," NIST said. "The system can tell a Canada goose from a gull or a hawk within a couple of seconds."
A 2005 Transport Canada report suggests gulls are a particular problem, accounting for 160 or almost 13 per cent of the 1,246 bird strikes that year.
The report said the 1,246 bird strikes caused three forced landings, 60 precautionary landings and 31 aborted takeoffs. However, in most cases — 780 — there was no effect and the flight continued.
NIST said its device was based on a microphone it developed for speech-recognition systems that could be used in complicated sound environments, such as meeting rooms.
It worked with Intelligent Automation Inc. of Rockville, Md., and the University of Missouri–Columbia on the project, which involved modifying the speech-recognition microphone.
Airports have tried all kinds of methods, including dogs, to keep birds away.
A U.S. company, BirdBusters of Alexandria, Va., advertises a device that promises to keep problem birds away by broadcasting electronic sounds, distress and alarm calls and predator attack cries.
"This system creates an uncomfortable and disagreeable environment for most bird species," the company's website said.
NIST is a U.S. government agency that promotes science and technology to help U.S. industry.
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