Egg Harbor Township, N.J. – The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is excited to announce Purdue University as the winning team of the 2020 FAA Challenge: Smart Airport Student Competition. Three finalist university teams participated in a 2020 Virtual Forum Nov. 30-Dec. 1, 2020. The teams each presented smart technology design solutions to improve travelers’ transportation experiences from home, in the airport environment, and to his/her final destination. Purdue University team’s proposal, The Wheels-Up Solution, earned first place and will receive the $25,000 cash prize.

The FAA invited undergraduate and graduate student teams to participate in the 2020 FAA Challenge in September 2019. The FAA 2020 Challenge Steering Committee selected three finalist teams from 12 proposals submitted to compete for the $25,000 cash prize based on project plan proposals submitted in January 2020. The competition then required finalist teams to submit a technical paper, digital poster, and present a final demonstration to the Steering Committee judges during the 2020 Virtual Forum. Ultimately, ideas from participating student teams may help shape the future of Smart Airport Technology and foster innovation at the William J. Hughes Tech Center.

Finalist teams were: Purdue University, The Wheels-Up Solution; University of North Dakota, FlashTag; and University of Texas at Arlington, WheelTrip: A Holistic Approach to Improving Passenger Experience for the Differently Abled at Airports.

The FAA partnered with the National Institute of Aerospace (NIA) to manage the FAA Challenge: Smart Airport Student Competition to recognize undergraduate and graduate students who can demonstrate innovative thinking. This year’s competition focused on improving smart technology’s efficiency and effectiveness in and around the airport environment while enhancing the overall traveling experience. The competition stimulates and advances innovation in aviation research; promotes the development of a robust aviation workforce to support a growing and evolving aerospace system; develops a pipeline to fill current and projected shortages via partnerships with academia and industry; and drives a passion for aviation in today’s youth of all ages and backgrounds.

The FAA announced a 2021 FAA Challenge in Oct. 2020, inviting university students to propose solutions and compete for the $25,000 cash prize.

For more information about the FAA Challenge: Smart Airport Student Competition, visit:
http://faachallenge.nianet.org or email faachallenge@nianet.org.

For more information about the William J. Hughes Technical Center, go to:
https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ang/offices/tc.

For more information about the National Institute of Aerospace, please visit:
https://www.nianet.org.