What system is in place to manage vehicle movement on the airside?

The most appropriate system that manages vehicle movement on the airside is indeed Air Traffic Control (ATC) managing vehicle clearances and instructions. ATC is responsible for ensuring the safety and efficiency of all traffic on the airside, which includes not only aircraft but also ground vehicles that operate in restricted zones around runways and taxiways.

ATC provides the necessary separation between multiple aircraft as well as between vehicles and aircraft. This coordination is critical for preventing accidents on the airside where the combined operations of vehicles and planes occur frequently. By issuing clearances and instructions, ATC helps facilitate the movement of vehicles, ensuring they are allowed to operate in designated areas at the right times without conflicting with departing or arriving aircraft.

While other options such as radio communication, ground control, and automated traffic lights may play a role in some contexts, they do not effectively encompass the comprehensive system of oversight that ATC provides. Radio communication can certainly help inform vehicle drivers of their status and surroundings, but it lacks the authoritative oversight that ATC offers. Ground control typically refers to the management of vehicle operations in limited areas rather than the cohesive management of the entire airside. Similarly, automated traffic lights might assist in controlling vehicle flow but do not replace the need for an overarching