Airport Safety and Runway Incursions

What is a runway incursion and how do they affect aviation operation?

A runway incursion refers to any time that an aircraft or airport personnel is incorrectly positioned on a runway or in a protected area (FAA, Runway incursions, 2023). Runway incursions pose a significant threat to aviation safety and their impact can be catastrophic. Some of the issues of runway incursions include loss of life, property damage, and disruption of airport operations. Runway incursions can occur due to a variety of factors, including human error, miscommunication, or inadequate infrastructure.

One of the safety management challenges in mitigating these incursions is the complexity of airport operations, involving multiple stakeholders and communication channels. Airport operators need to ensure that all personnel are trained to identify and mitigate runway incursions promptly. Additionally, facilities and infrastructure must be designed to minimize the risk of runway incursions. This requires a collaborative effort between regulators, airport operators, airlines, and technology providers. Several solutions can mitigate the risk of runway incursions. One approach is to implement technological solutions such as advanced warning systems, automatic detection and alert systems, and automated runway guidance systems. Human factors training for airport personnel, pilots, and air traffic controllers is also essential in preventing runway incursions (FAA, Mitigating runway incursions and excursions, 2023).

A blend of both human training and technology solutions is required to minimize runway incursions. Technology solutions can provide an added layer of safety and improve situational awareness, but human intervention and decision-making are still critical in preventing incursions. One design improvement that could address this issue is the installation of a runway status light system. This system uses a series of red and green lights to signal when it is safe to enter the runway or when it is unsafe to do so. The system can be linked to an aircraft's transponder, providing real-time data to air traffic controllers and pilots. Additionally, airports can incorporate runway incursion prevention strategies into their emergency plans, outlining specific procedures for mitigating runway incursions in the event of an emergency.

References

FAA. (2023). Mitigating runway incursions and excursions. Federal Aviation Administration. https://www.faa.gov/airports/engineering/incursions_excursions

FAA. (2023). Runway incursions. Federal Aviation Administration. https://www.faa.gov/airports/runway_safety/resources/runway_incursions#:~:text=What%20is%20a%20 Runway%20 Incursion,and%20the%20 off%20 of%20 aircraft.