Positioning Structural Height Restrictions: An Implication from Geo Observation Data around a Proposed Airport, Ido-Osun, Southwestern Nigeria

Abstract

Geospatial data has been applied for setting structural height restriction around the proposed MKO Abiola international Airport in Ido-Osun, Osun State. The study aimed at using geovisualisation method for guiding structural height restriction around the airport. In Nigeria, there is a growing demand for Airports and safety is paramount to aviation industry as calamity is irreversible. In respect of this, precautionary measures are better emplaced at inception to safeguard the industry as much as possible. For example, failure because of engine faults in flight cannot be completely erased, at least, planes hitting buildings due to either low altitude of the airplane or excessive height of structures could be totally abated. Data used for this study involved Geospatially acquired data obtained through primary and secondary methods. The data were processed and a 2km buffer zone was created around the proposed airport for analysis. Modelling of the study was done to relatively decipher the height relationship between the airport runway and the buffer zone. Hypotenuse theorem was used and available data, airplane altitude along various directions were calculated in relation to the mean sea level through which proposed heights restrictions were made for structures within the buffer zone in the study area. It was scientifically deduced that using of only number of building ,floors and other structures, the height above earth surface are not enough to set such height restriction, instead, elevations of adjoining land should also be a striking factor taken into set structural height restriction aided by Geo observation data.