Overview: Enhanced Security Measures put in Place as Thousands of Participants Gather for the 2022 Tel Aviv Samsung Marathon
The Tel Aviv Marathon is a major event held annually and constantly growing in stature since its revival in 2009. Participants are invited to join one of the multiple courses, including the Inline Skating Half Marathon and a 30km Handcycle Race. The marathon route takes runners through the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Tel Aviv, running along the seashore and across main streets. Drawing around 40,000 entrants from across the world, enhanced security measures are essential in order to detect problems from medical emergencies to suspicious behaviour to provide an added layer of protection for everyone involved.
The Challenge: Setting up a Transient yet Complex System, with a High Probability of Rogue Operators
Coordinated by Ayalon Highways, the Tel Aviv Samsung Marathon is a major event in Israel, not only as one of the most important sporting events of the year, but also as a large-scale event attracting a significant number of tourists. Security is clearly a major factor for the event, and one the Israeli police take seriously. With intelligent software now able to monitor crowds and identify unusual behaviour – such as a runner or spectator passing out from dehydration – the police wanted to capitalise on the technology, identifying issues quickly and deploying the workforce more effectively. Aerial views were required, and as a one-day event, a network of drones was the ideal solution. However, another major challenge in managing these operations was the potential for rogue or unregistered drones – such as those operated by spectators or TV networks – to pose collision risks over densely populated crowds. The operation relied on coordinating multiple fleets of drones working together to support security efforts. This is where Airwayz stepped in with its advanced UTM/USSP technology.
The Solution: Safe and Efficient Multiple Drone Fleet Operation with Airwayz
The Israeli Police Department’s mission to ensure the safe and effective operation of multiple drone fleets during the 2022 Tel Aviv Marathon was a difficult but necessary challenge. With myriad risks and multiple drone operators, only one solution was viable. The ability to connect all drones, whether tethered or flying along specified route, Airwayz’ UTM/USSP platform meant that each drone could complete missions in harmony, mitigating any risk of conflict.
A fundamental aspect of Airwayz technology is the incorporation of essential safety features, such as deconfliction and anticollision, to ensure there is no danger or risk posed by the drones that are connected to its system. An added layer of protection is that an air traffic drone operator can also override the AI controls if need be.
“The Tel-Aviv Marathon is a major event in Israel, and we are delighted to have played a role,” says Eyal Zor, CEO and Co-Founder of Airwayz. “Supporting the police and Ayalon Highways with this project shows that operating multiple drone fleets is absolutely possible, even in a busy urban environment. We’re proud to see Israel pushing the boundaries, developing a drone ecosystem and demonstrating the benefits the technology can bring to security, mobility and much more.”
