COMMISSION 
AGENDA MEMORANDUM                        Item No.          8a 
ACTION ITEM                            Date of Meeting    September 24, 2019 
DATE:     September 5, 2019 
TO:        Stephen P. Metruck, Executive Director 
FROM:    Laurel Dunphy, Director, Aviation Operations 
Wayne Grotheer, Director, Aviation Project Management 
SUBJECT:  Safedock Upgrade and Expansion Project (CIP #C800779) 
Amount of this request:              $24,654,000 
Total estimated project cost:         $28,218,250 
ACTION REQUESTED 
Request Commission authorization for the Executive Director to advertise and execute a major
works construction contract for installation of Advanced Visual Docking Guidance Systems (AVDGS
) for gates on Concourses B, C, D and the South Satellite at the Seattle-Tacoma
International Airport (STIA). This authorization request is for $24,654,000. 
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 
This project improves safety on the airfield by installing Safedock Advanced-Video Docking
Guidance System (A-VDGS) units at all gates that currently do not have A-VDGS units. A -VDGS
units scan the gate area and alert pilots to obstacles in their docking path. They provide realtime
docking video, actual gate usage data and statistics to both the airport and our airline
partners, helping to improve safety and gate efficiency while reducing taxi-lane congestion. 
A-VDGS units are already installed at several gates at STIA and both the International Arrivals
Facility (IAF) and NorthStar projects include A-VDGS installation. This project will complete the
procurement and installation of remaining A-VDGS units on Concourses B, C, and D, the South
Satellite, as well as upgrading outdated units. An approved Competition Waiver (ADB Safegate
2016-007) is in effect and will be used in the procurement of the Safedock A-VDGS units. 
Additionally, a centralized Gate Operating System (GOS) database will be developed which will
connect all A-VDGS units that are included in this project scope (i.e. Concourse B, C, D, South
Satellite) as well as the A-VDGS units that are currently being installed by the IAF and NorthStar 
projects at Concourse A and the North Satellite Terminals, respectively. 
A Project Labor Agreement will be utilized on this project. 

Template revised January 10, 2019.

COMMISSION AGENDA  Action Item No. _8a__                               Page 2 of 7 
Meeting Date: September 24, 2019 

JUSTIFICATION 
Over the past few years, the airport has experienced rapid growth in both passenger and
aircraft operations. Today STIA is the 8th fastest growing airport by aircraft operations, in the
world. STIA is now number 23rd in the world for aircraft operations and 28th in the world for
passenger throughput. The increased aircraft operations have contributed to docking delays at
the gates, taxi-lane congestion, and a corresponding increase in the potential for human errors 
and safety incidents. There is a need to reduce the safety risk from the increased ramp
operations by both vehicles and aircraft. 
This system also assists aircraft and pilots in efficient docking which may save fuel and can
reduce taxi-lane congestion. With limited gate capacity, deploying technology to leverage gate
usage, is critical to managing the increasing number of operations at STIA. Efficient  and safe
docking reduces taxi-lane congestion, improves gate utilization, and helps mitigate against gate
area incidents in an increasingly congested airfield. 
Safedock will provide the Port and airlines with real on-gate and off-gate information to better
utilize the limited gate facilities as well as provide real-time video for gate scheduling and
airline asset tracking. Furthermore, the advanced Safedock units, connected to the GOS,
provide automatic Ramp Information Display (RIDS) capability that allows airlines to display
critical flight information to ramp workers. Delta, American and Alaska Airlines desire and have
requested this capability.  The Safedock upgrade was presented to the airlines at the STIA
Airport Airline Affairs Committee (AAAC) on December 7th, 2017 and received Majority-In-
Interest (MII) approval for $28,954,000 on May 14, 2018 via Ballot #1. 
This project supports the following Century Agenda and Aviation Division strategic goals:
1.  Makes Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (STIA) the west coast "Gateway of choice" for
international travel:  Having a standard system at all gates will make the docking process
more efficient, accurate and reduce the taxi to gate times. It will improve gate utilization,
help  prevent gate  area  accidents,  and  provide  an efficient tracking and reporting
mechanism. 
2.  Be the greenest, and most energy efficient Port in North America: Upgrade and expansion
of the Safedock system at STIA will result in less aircraft holding for a gate on the airfield or 
congesting the movement area. It will reduce jet fuel consumption , air pollutants, and
carbon emissions. 
3.  Use technology to leverage safety engagement: With the Safedock system, Aviation staff
can leverage proven technology to reduce safety risk, incidents and accidents on the airfield
at STIA. 


Template revised September 22, 2016; format updates October 19, 2016.

COMMISSION AGENDA  Action Item No. _8a__                               Page 3 of 7 
Meeting Date: September 24, 2019 
Diversity in Contracting 
Project staff are working with the Diversity in Contracting Department in outreach to
Woman and Minority Business Enterprises (WMBE) of this opportunity.  A  WMBE
aspirational goal of 9% has been established for this construction project.
DETAILS 
Installation of the Safedock A-VDGS units will be phased in a manner to minimize impacts to
operations. Aircraft access to the gates will be maintained to the greatest extent possible 
without compromising safety. Minimal impacts to aircraft operations are anticipated and work 
requiring full gate closures will be performed during non-peak hours.  Acceptable times and
durations for gate closures will be closely coordinated with Airport Operations and the Airlines
in advance. 
Scope of Work 
The project scope includes: 
1.  Decommission and remove existing mounting hardware and 21 outdated A-VDGS and Ramp
Information Display units. 
2.  Procure and install up to 78 A-VDGS units with video cameras and apron scanning at the B,
C, and D Concourses and the South Satellite. Safedock A-VDGS is a proprietary product. On
this project, an approved Competition Waiver (ADB Safegate 2016-007) is in effect (expires:
May 18, 2021).
3.  Develop and implement a GOS with a centralized database. 
4.  Provide the network connectivity to allow data and gate usage metrics gathered from the AVDGS
units to feed into a centralized database for use by staff and the airlines. 
5.  Allow for airlines to have workstations with apron views of their gates. 
6.  When possible, re-route existing network cabling from local communication rooms to STIA's 
newly installed micro-distribution cabinets. 
7.  Testing and commissioning of all systems, software, user interfaces and data collection. 





Template revised September 22, 2016; format updates October 19, 2016.

COMMISSION AGENDA  Action Item No. _8a__                               Page 4 of 7 
Meeting Date: September 24, 2019 
Schedule 
Activity 
Construction start                             2020 Quarter 1 
In-use date                                    2021 Quarter 2 
Cost Breakdown                                      This Request           Total Project 
Design                                                           $0             $2,383,750 
Construction                                            $24,654,000            $25,834,500 
Total                                                        $24,654,000             $28,218,250 
Alternative 1  Do not install new or upgrade existing A-VDGS units. 
Cost Implications: $0 
Pros: 
(1)   No capital improvement required. 
(2)   No construction impacts to aircraft operations. 
Cons: 
(1)   This alternative continues the inconsistent aircraft docking (gate parking) operations
between gate locations. 
(2) This alternative does not meet airlines' requests. 
(3)   No safety improvements are provided by this alternative. 
(4)   Older Safedock units would remain that do not have video cameras nor obstacle
scanning capability and have limited or no ramp information display ability. 
This is not the recommended alternative. 
Alternative 2  Advertise and execute a major works construction contract to install the AVDGS
system over a phased, longer duration 5-year program. 
Cost Implications: $33,000,000 
Pros: 
(1)   Project costs would be spread over multiple years. 
(2)   This project deploys Safedock units at Concourses B, C, D and the South Satellite. 
(3) Port business units and airlines' stakeholders benefit from a centralized system by
being able to access docking information including (1) actual docking information for
gate usage; (2) real time and archival video footage of aircraft docking for incident
review; (3) automated ramp information for display. 
Cons: 
(1)   This alternative is the most expensive. 
(2)   The phased approach prolongs inconsistent gate docking operations between gate
locations  for  a  longer  period  and  delays  airport-wide  gains  in  safety,  docking
efficiency, and savings in fuel consumption and emissions. 

Template revised September 22, 2016; format updates October 19, 2016.

COMMISSION AGENDA  Action Item No. _8a__                               Page 5 of 7 
Meeting Date: September 24, 2019 
(3)   Data for making operational decisions will be incomplete. 
(4)   Some airlines supporting the full installation do not receive early benefit. 
(5)   This approach is inefficient. 
This is not the recommended alternative. 
Alternative 3  Advertise and execute a major works construction contract to install the AVDGS
system, including a centralized Gate Operating System which will connect all A-VDGS
units with other Port systems, enhancing data sharing between the Port and the airline
stakeholders. 

Cost Implications: $24,654,000 
Pros: 
(1)   Airport-wide deployment creates consistency in operations. 
(2)   This alternative leverages the efficiencies inherit in mobilizing once. 
(3)   This alternative results in functioning A-VDGS units airport-wide providing safety,
efficiency and data sharing to stakeholders sooner than the other alternatives. 
(4)   This project deploys Safedock units at Concourses B, C, D and the South Satellite. 
(5)   Port business units and airlines stakeholders benefit from a centralized system by
being able to access docking information including (1) actual docking information for
gate usage; (2) real time and archival video footage of aircraft docking for incident
review; (3) automated ramp information for display. 
Cons: 
(1)   The alternative requires earlier expenditures. 
This is the recommended alternative. 
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS 
The initial project scope consisted of 3 new units and connection to a GOS. In Q3 2017
widespread airline support increased the scope to include all gates at Concourse B, C, D and
South Satellite. 
Cost Estimate/Authorization Summary               Capital        Expense           Total 
COST ESTIMATE 
Original estimate                                 $3,872,000               $0      $3,872,000 
Previous scope and cost increase                $25,082,000        $246,000     $25,328,000 
Budget transferred to International Arrival        -$981,750               $0       -$981,750 
Facility Program on February 13th, 2018 
Total estimate                                   $27,972,250        $246,000     $28,218,250 
AUTHORIZATION 

Template revised September 22, 2016; format updates October 19, 2016.

COMMISSION AGENDA  Action Item No. _8a__                               Page 6 of 7 
Meeting Date: September 24, 2019 
Previous authorizations                          $4,546,000               $0      $4,546,000 
Authorization transferred to International          $981,750               $0        $981,750 
Arrival Facility Program on Feb. 13th, 2018 
Revised authorization                            $3,564,250              $0      $3,564,250 
Current request for authorization               $24,408,000        $246,000     $24,654,000 
Total authorizations, including this request      $27,972,250        $246,000     $28,218,250 
Remaining amount to be authorized                    $0             $0             $0 
Financial Analysis and Summary 
Project cost for analysis                         $29,200,000 
Business Unit (BU)                            Gates 
Effect on business performance (NOI after    NOI after depreciation will increase 
depreciation) 
IRR/NPV (if relevant)                           N/A 
CPE Impact                                 $.012 in 2021 
Annual Budget Status and Source of Funds 
This project was included in the 2019  2023 capital budget and plan of finance.  The funding
source is existing revenue bonds.
ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND 
STIA was the first airport in the United States to install Safedock. Below is the history of
Safedock VDGS units at STIA: 
2005-2007:     Concourse A (minus A6) for Delta Airlines realignment. 
2007:            Gates D1-D4 for Alaska Airlines trial. 
2012:            Gates D7-D9 for American Airlines realignment. 
2015:            Gate C3 Alaska Airlines safety measure for tight gate space. 
2016:            Plan to upgrade old and expand. 
2017:            NorthStar includes Safedock for all North Satellite gates. 
2018:            International Arrival Facility includes for all Concourse A gates. 
The following are new/expanding Safedock installation initiatives at other North American
airports in terms of units being placed into service: 
2019 
La Guardia, Delta Airlines  11 units 
JFK Terminal 4  6 units 
DFW Terminal A  28 units 
Vancouver  4 units 
Montreal  12 units 
Charlotte  4 units 
SLC  47 units (currently on order; expected to increase in 2020) 

Template revised September 22, 2016; format updates October 19, 2016.

COMMISSION AGENDA  Action Item No. _8a__                               Page 7 of 7 
Meeting Date: September 24, 2019 
2018 
Los Angeles, MSC  12 units 
DFW Terminal E  41 units 
2017 
DFW Terminal D  40 units 
Boston Logan  12 units 
ATTACHMENTS TO THIS REQUEST 
(1)   Presentation slides. 
PREVIOUS COMMISSION ACTIONS OR BRIEFINGS 
February 13, 2018  The Commission authorized design funds for construction documents for
A-VDGS for gates on Concourses A, B, C, and D and the South Satellite; (2) procure software / 
vendor services to configure a gate operating system; and (3) transfer $981,750 to the
International Arrivals Facility program for the purchase of approximately 17 A-VDGS units for
Concourse A. 











Template revised September 22, 2016; format updates October 19, 2016.