Electronic System for Preventing Airport Runway Incursions
TBMG-3529
02/01/2009
- Content
The figure is a block diagram of a proposed system of portable illuminated signs, electronic monitoring equipment, and radio-communication equipment for preventing (or taking corrective action in response to) improper entry of aircraft, pedestrians, or ground vehicles onto active airport runways. Such an entry, denoted a runway incursion, poses a risk of collision with an aircraft properly moving on the affected runway. The major causes of runway incursions are mistakes by pilots, ground-vehicle drivers, and control-tower personnel. Heretofore, there have been no automated, systematic, reliable means of monitoring and regulating airport ground traffic to prevent or correct for runway incursions. The main overall functions of the proposed system would be to automatically monitor aircraft ground traffic on or approaching runways and to generate visible and/or audible warnings to affected pilots, ground-vehicle drivers, and control-tower personnel when runway incursions take place.
- Citation
- "Electronic System for Preventing Airport Runway Incursions," Mobility Engineering, February 1, 2009.