Southwest Airlines, Ramp Information Display Systems Implementation

Burns provided electrical, structural, and fire protection engineering for the installation of Ramp Information Displays (RIDS) and/or Gate Information Displays (GIDS) at more than 150 Southwest Airlines gates.

As one of the world’s most admired and awarded airlines, Southwest is committed to improving operational efficiency and passenger experience. To reduce aircraft turnaround times at the gate and keep passengers as informed as possible in the terminal, they chose Burns to design and implement Ramp Information Displays (RIDS) at hubs and key line stations and expanded gate information displays (GIDS) within holdrooms.

Our team provided electrical, structural, and fire protection engineering for the installation of RIDS and/or GIDS displays at the following US airports:

• Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)
• Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport (LAS)
• Nashville International Airport (BNA)
• Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS)
• Denver International Airport (DEN)
• St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL)
• Oakland International Airport (OAK)
• Sacramento International Airport (SMF)

The project scope included a detailed assessment of the existing apron concrete and minimum setbacks from control joints to ensure proper placement and long-term durability of the displays.

To optimize constructability, we developed an installation strategy that eliminated the need for concrete trenching on the apron while minimizing disruption to ground service equipment movement operations.

We continue to support the project with comprehensive permitting and construction phase services. Additionally, our team led the development of Southwest’s corporate design standards for RIDS including standardized details and technical specifications that guide future deployments.