Announcing the Winners of the Triangle Impact Challenge 2021: FlyRDU

Airline travel has taken a huge hit from the coronavirus shutdown, yet it has always been a vital part of the global and regional economy.

Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) is already helping passengers fly with confidence by increasing its cleaning and disinfecting practices, requiring that masks be worn in the airport, encouraging physical distancing and using touchless technology. Now RDU wants to identify additional ways to make air travel safe and welcoming by tapping into the talents of local universities and research institutes.

RDU is working with Duke University, NCCU, NC State University, UNC-Chapel Hill and RTI International to improve the air travel experience by finding more ways to keep passengers safe and healthy during the parking, ticketing, screening, waiting, shopping, dining and boarding processes.

They've launched the Triangle Impact Challenge 2021: FlyRDU with $120,000 in prizes to look for these solutions by tapping into the region's most innovative minds.

For example, is it possible to make the journey from a person's car to their seat on board the aircraft completely touchless? Can passengers be screened and processed without standing in line? What incentives might help passengers behave more safely?

Join Vice President for Research Lawrence Carin and President and CEO of the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority Michael Landguth, A.A.E. for the announcement of the winners of the Triangle Impact Challenge 2021: FlyRDU.