Airport Response Coordination Center Modernization & Operational Intelligence
Client: Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA)
Partner: Siemens Industries
Project: ARCC Maintenance & Operations (M&O) Modernization Initiative
Role: Command Center Assessment • CONOPS Development • eGIS Strategy & Planning
Strengthening LAWA’s Operational Command, Situational Awareness & Geospatial Intelligence
EK Associates partnered with Siemens Industries to elevate the capabilities of the Airport Response Coordination Center (ARCC)—the central command hub responsible for airport-wide situational awareness, incident coordination, and operational decision-making at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
Our multidisciplinary team delivered database engineering, business intelligence, CONOPS evaluation, operational assessments, ARCC system review (including SITUATOR), and long-range eGIS planning. Through structured analysis, innovative design, and future-ready planning, we helped LAWA build a more integrated, data-driven, and mission-ready ARCC environment.
The EK Advantage
Situational Status Dashboard Development (SIT-STAT)
Our Database Administrator and Business Intelligence Analyst engineered the back-end foundation for a modernized ARCC dashboard by:
· Designing a centralized SQL Server 2012 repository
· Building SSIS packages to extract and transform data from multiple airport subsystems
· Developing integrations to ingest weather and NOTAM data from external web services
· Creating stored procedures supporting real-time dashboard visualizations
· Configuring SQL jobs to automate data refresh cycles
This enabled continuous situational awareness across key operational metrics, supporting faster and more informed decision-making.
ARCC Technology Assessment & CONOPS Validation
EK Associates performed a comprehensive assessment of ARCC operations by:
· Conducting one-on-one and group interviews with ARCC teams
· Documenting how ARCC personnel used systems, tools, and workflows
· Validating the current Concept of Operations (CONOPS)
· Identifying functional and operational gaps
· Recommending modernization opportunities
The final Needs Assessment Report outlined improvements in workflows, technology integration, staffing considerations, and communication channels—all tailored to strengthen ARCC’s mission as an airport-wide command center.
ARCC SITUATOR Platform Review & Enhancement Recommendations
Our team worked closely with ARCC staff to evaluate current usage of the SITUATOR system and to identify enhancements related to:
· Incident visualization and mapping
· Alert workflows
· Integration opportunities
· Operator usability needs
We delivered a high-level modernization report with actionable recommendations for improving the SITUATOR deployment within the ARCC ecosystem.
Enterprise Geospatial Information System (eGIS) Planning & Roadmap
EK Associates supported LAWA’s long-term geospatial strategy by:
· Conducting an airport-wide eGIS Best Practices Workshop for IMTG
· Reviewing all ongoing geospatial initiatives, technologies, and dependencies
· Performing a comprehensive gap analysis across data, technology, and business processes
· Delivering a gap-bridging plan and presentation
· Developing a 3-year phased eGIS implementation roadmap
· Building an eGIS Change Management Plan, including:
o Communication plan
o Configuration management
o Documentation standards (policies, processes, procedures)
o Staffing and training strategy
o Compliance and incentives
o Risk management framework
This roadmap positioned LAWA to adopt advanced geospatial capabilities supporting operations, engineering, security, and long-term planning.
Impact Delivered
✔ A modernized operational dashboard improving ARCC’s real-time situational awareness
✔ Validated and enhanced CONOPS improving command-center workflows and coordination
✔ SITUATOR enhancements improving incident visibility and decision support
✔ A clear, strategic, and scalable eGIS roadmap for LAWA’s enterprise geospatial capabilities
✔ Stronger operational readiness supporting the airport’s mission-critical functions
✔ Integrated data, improved technology alignment, and strengthened operational governance
