Definition
Surveillance data that shows the precise location of aircraft and ground vehicles while they are operating on airport surfaces such as taxiways, ramps, and runways. In the NextGen system, this information is generated by surface surveillance technologies (including ASDE-X and multilateration systems combined with ADS-B) and shared with controllers and, increasingly, with pilots to support safer and more efficient ground movement.
Plain English
Real-time data showing exactly where every aircraft and vehicle is on the airport surface, so controllers and pilots know who is where while taxiing.
Context Anchor
Seen in NextGen discussions about better awareness and tracking of aircraft and vehicles on the airport surface.
Why Pilots Care
Reduces the risk of runway incursions and improves the efficiency of ground operations by giving controllers and pilots accurate surface position data.
Intuition Check
Do not read this as general navigation information for flying to an airport. Here, it means position information while already on the ground at the airport.
Example Sentence 1
On-the-ground positioning information from the surface surveillance system allowed the tower controller to spot a vehicle crossing the active runway before issuing the takeoff clearance.
Example Sentence 2
Pilots receive on-the-ground positioning information through cockpit displays to maintain situational awareness during taxi operations.