Can we talk? 

Communications, whether cooperative, collaborative or informational, are a business imperative at Houston Airports, HAS, the City/County and any successful airport system. The IAH Radio Intermediate Distribution Frame (RIDF) is an integral part of this communications system. 

According to Doug Hardy, ITRP Project Manager for the Information & Technology scope (including the RIDF), strong communications have been key to the success of the RIDF Relocation Project at George Bush Intercontinental Airport. The project began in September 2020. Its end result is to decommission the old communications system and activate a new system in March, and it is an integral component of the IAH Terminal Redevelopment Program, ITRP. The RIDF relocation allows for the completion of the demolition to make way for the new world-class international terminal processor. 

The RIDF Relocation Project enables the airport’s extensive radio communications network to continue without interruption and with vastly improved efficiencies.  

Hardy lauded the collaborative efforts of Houston Airports, ITRP staff, contractors Motorola Solutions (who handled the technical aspects of the project) and Hensel Phelps (who handled the civil work), and others, including HAS’s Information Technology division; HAS’s Radio Project Management; City of Houston Radio; Harris County and AT&T along with all the subcontractors and trade partners. 

“On this project, the teamwork and communications have been amazing from the very start,” Hardy said. “Everybody has worked together with a common end goal in mind – a successful project that enables various entities the instantaneous communications that are essential in an airport environment. Kayla Johnson, Motorola Solutions Project Manager, and Kevin Osbourne, Hensel Phelps Project Manager, are to be commended along with their staffs, for their diligence, hard work and collaborative efforts over the past 17 months.” 

“It’s sounds like that well-worn cliché, but it truly has been a total team effort.” 

Chief Ken Theis of the Humble Police Department also commented on the RIDF project, which updated a part of Humble PD’s communications network as well. 

 “Reliable communications equipment is a critically important part of providing the City of Humble, Bush Airport and those who visit it safe, secure and technologically up to date services,” Chief Theis said. 

 “We cannot thank this team enough for their hard work in making this transition as seamless as possible. This project will allow us to remain in constant contact with airport staff and other agencies that ensure the safety of the traveling public. New technologies seem to emerge almost daily, and along with these changes come increased expectations from citizens. Again, I applaud the efforts of Houston Airports for stepping up to help us meet these expectations.” 

The project entails the relocation of the communication system formerly housed at the top of the Terminal D/E garage (currently being demolished). The entire system has been duplicated and will now be housed off Will Clayton Road. The RIDF Relocation Project includes more 65 people on an integrated team – airport staff, ITRP team members, contractors, consultants and more. 

The main components of the project that will be visible to airport staff and customers are two shelters and the tower. The shelters include a 24’ x 32’ equipment shelter that came in two parts and was “mated” onsite as well as a 12’ x 15’ shelter that houses the backup generator. The tower is 199 feet tall.   

This structure will support the antennas and the microwave dishes for the systems housed within the equipment shelter. The antennas allow for transmitting and receiving communications through this site to users.  The microwave dishes provide the connectivity between the sites for broader communications throughout the City of Houston and Harris County.  

Inside, rows of equipment are housed and serve as the communications apparatus that allow crucial communications by many entities essential to airport operations and security properly and efficiently functioning. These entities include the City of Houston and Houston Airports among others.  

Hardy praised the foresight of Motorola, Hensel Phelps and their trade partners who ordered a lot of the necessary components six to eight months ahead of time. The COVID-19 pandemic, which stalled the delivery of supplies for many projects across the country and world, did not stifle the project’s progress at all. 

“The communications building is clearly essential in helping Houston Airports fulfill its highest priority,“ he continued, “and that’s keeping everyone safe.” 

The structure allows Houston Airports to realize its vision of a unified, centralized, international checkpoint.  

Can we talk? Well, thanks to the RIDF Relocation Project, the answer is a resounding “yes.”