BCAS Air – Autonomous Bird Collision Avoidance System for Airports

BCAS Air – the Bird Collision Avoidance System by Volacom is a fully automated system for bird and wildlife control. It provides airport safety through detection, recognition, tracking and deterrence of avian and other species from protected zones, 24/7, in all weather conditions. BCAS Air is the most advanced detection and deterrence technology on the global market, combining the characteristics of different products into one autonomous system, and overcoming the shortfalls of others as a result of 5+ years of research and development. The technology is patented in the US and Russia.

Principle of operation:

Detection
BCAS Air uses thermal imaging and a proprietary software to detect birds. The thermal imaging sensor allows 24/7 operation in all weather conditions, overcoming the shortfalls of day cameras. The horizontal field of view of one unit is 180°. The software recognizes birds at long distances and commands the acoustic module’s emittance.

Deterrence
The custom-built acoustic module is pointed at the direction of the bird/s through a rotating module and starts emitting a proprietary sound, developed by Volacom and tested on numerous species with 100% success. The sound induces an involuntary physical reflex in species (ASR – acoustic startle reflex), creating a zone of discomfort and making them change their course and leave it. It does not allow birds to habituate – the leading disadvantage of the majority of other systems, nor does it cause fear or stress – both scientifically proven and tested.

How BCAS Air works, step by step:

Step 1: DETECTION
BCAS Air uses highly reliable thermal imaging sensors to detect birds 24/7 in all weather conditions and at long distances. We detect average-sized birds at more than 500 meters and bigger species at more than 1000 meters.

Step 2: ANALYSIS
Once an object is detected, data is analysed by our proprietary software. Mathematical and logical algorithms determine whether it is a bird or another object of no interest.

Step 3: RECOGNITION
Once a flying object is categorized as a bird, the acoustic module gets pointed in its direction and starts emitting the deterrence ASR-inducing signal.

Step 4: ASR DETERRENCE
Acoustic startle reflex (ASR) is evoked by the sound emitted and the bird changes its course, flying away and keeping out of the protected zone.

Step 5: MONITORING AND DATA
BCAS Air operates autonomously, providing real-time remote data collection and monitoring. Volacom’s proprietary software is a modular web-based application, giving access to all functions of the system. It allows quick storage and data retrieval for thousands of records. The system keeps a video record and detailed database containing information for every detection. Graphical representation of statistics helps users get key facts quickly and in a user-friendly way.

Every product and technological solution developed and offered by Volacom is completely harmless to avian, terrestrial and marine animal species, in line with the company’s policy to preserve biodiversity and protect wildlife and businesses at the same time. The technology’s safety was tested and established through scientific studies carried out by the WWF, The University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna and the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. Volacom is ISO 9001 and ISO 45 001 certified. The company’s BCAS bird control technology is patented in the US and Russia.