SPECIAL REPORT
Runway Status Light Technology for Modern Airport Situational Awareness Indra Navia’s Runway Status Lights (RWSL) Implemented and Operational at Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) Airport Dealing with Runway Incursions Why Airports Should Focus on Runway Status Lights New Runway Lighting Systems Can Be Crucial in Avoiding Runway Incursions Runway Status Lights Come of Age
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SPECIAL REPORT
RUNWAY STATUS LIGHT TECHNOLOGY FOR MODERN AIRPORT SITUATIONAL AWARENESS
Runway Status Light Technology for Modern Airport Situational Awareness Indra Navia’s Runway Status Lights (RWSL) Implemented and Operational at Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) Airport
Contents
Dealing with Runway Incursions Why Airports Should Focus on Runway Status Lights New Runway Lighting Systems Can Be Crucial in Avoiding Runway Incursions Runway Status Lights Come of Age
Foreword
2
Tom Cropper, Editor
Indra Navia’s Runway Status Lights (RWSL) 3 Implemented and Operational at Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) Airport Indra Navia Published by Global Business Media
Published by Global Business Media Global Business Media Limited 62 The Street Ashtead Surrey KT21 1AT United Kingdom Switchboard: +44 (0)1737 850 939 Fax: +44 (0)1737 851 952 Email: info@globalbusinessmedia.org Website: www.globalbusinessmedia.org Publisher Kevin Bell
RWSL Provides a Vital Added Layer of Redundancy in Runway Safety Pioneered in the US – First European Implementation at CDG A-SMGCS at the Core of the System Technology Behind RWSL RWSL: Fewer and Less Severe Runway Incursions Through Accurate, Timely and Intuitive Indication of Runway Occupancy
Dealing with Runway Incursions
6
Tom Cropper, Editor
Business Development Director Marie-Anne Brooks
Rapid Expansion A Costly Business What Should be Done About Incursions?
Editor Tom Cropper
Why Airports Should Focus on Runway Status Lights 8
Senior Project Manager Steve Banks Advertising Executives Michael McCarthy Abigail Coombes Production Manager Paul Davies For further information visit: www.globalbusinessmedia.org The opinions and views expressed in the editorial content in this publication are those of the authors alone and do not necessarily represent the views of any organisation with which they may be associated. Material in advertisements and promotional features may be considered to represent the views of the advertisers and promoters. The views and opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily express the views of the Publishers or the Editor. While every care has been taken in the preparation of this publication, neither the Publishers nor the Editor are responsible for such opinions and views or for any inaccuracies in the articles.
Jo Roth, Staff Writer
Successful Results Gaining Acceptance New Technology
New Runway Lighting Systems Can Be Crucial in Avoiding Runway Incursions 10 James Butler, Staff Writer
Near Misses Learning from Mistakes Issues to Address
Runway Status Lights Come of Age
12
Tom Cropper, Editor
Market Growth Award Winning Innovations
References 14 © 2017. The entire contents of this publication are protected by copyright. Full details are available from the Publishers. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the copyright owner. WWW.AIRPORTTECHNOLOGYREPORTS.COM | 1
RUNWAY STATUS LIGHT TECHNOLOGY FOR MODERN AIRPORT SITUATIONAL AWARENESS
Foreword P
ilots around the world are starting to get used
2000s, they have proved successful at combating
to a new form of lighting signal – the runway
runway incursions, but it has taken time for them to
status light. Its use is growing rapidly in the US
reach maturity.
and it’s now making its mark in Europe. It’s a fresh
James Butler talks about the benefits runway
piece of technology for a new and more demanding
status lighting can bring and the key factors
age of aviation, but, as with any innovation, gaining
which will determine the success or failure of an
acceptance can be a lengthy process.
installation. Finally, we will assess the installation at
Our opening article comes from Indra Navia who recently completed the installation of runway
Paris CDG and how the technology can develop further in the future.
status lights at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris.
The potential of this technology is clear. It has
They discuss the ongoing battle against runway
already been shown to improve situational awareness
incursions and why it is more important now than
and reduce the number of runway incursions.
ever before.
That said, there are obstacles to overcome. All
We then look at the challenges facing airports.
participants will need to understand the technology
Rising passenger numbers are placing infrastructure
and how they should work with it. Air Traffic Controllers
under increasing amounts of pressure. As runways
and pilots will need to collaborate and understand
become busier, the risk of an incident grows. The
where final responsibility for clearing aircraft for
answer can be found in a range of new traffic
departure lies.
management technologies. Jo Roth then looks at the development of runway status lights. Ever since the first tests in the late
Tom Cropper Editor
Tom Cropper has produced articles and reports on various aspects of global business over the past 15 years. He has also worked as a copywriter for some of the largest corporations in the world, including ING, KPMG and the World Wildlife Fund.
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RUNWAY STATUS LIGHT TECHNOLOGY FOR MODERN AIRPORT SITUATIONAL AWARENESS
Indra Navia’s Runway Status Lights (RWSL) Implemented and Operational at Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) Airport Indra Navia Runway incursions have been a persistent problem in airport operations for decades. As commercial airliners become larger and airports more congested, the potential for major accidents on the airport surface continues to increase. Data collected by the FAA in the United States indicate that the most severe runway incursions can develop quickly and without warning, leaving little time for corrective action such as a tower controller responding to a conflict alert. Runway Status Lights (RWSL) make up a
RWSL automatically
fully automatic, advisory system designed to reduce the number and severity
provides a clear,
of runway incursions and thus prevent runway accidents while not interfering with airport operations.
prompt indication of runway status directly to pilots and ground
R
WSL is comprised of lights embedded in the pavement, which automatically turn red when other traffic makes it dangerous to enter or cross runways or to begin takeoff – quite like ordinary street traffic lights. The system is fully automatic and provides direct, immediate alerts based on inputs from surface and terminal surveillance systems without controller intervention.
RWSL Provides a Vital Added Layer of Redundancy in Runway Safety RWSL automatically provides a clear, prompt indication of runway status directly to pilots and ground vehicle operators. The RWSL system is an independent safety enhancement that supplements other air traffic controller tools and procedures, reinforcing but not replacing air traffic control issued clearances. The operational concept of RWSL is simple and straightforward: “a red light means STOP”. Unlike street traffic lights, there are no amber or green lights. When RWSL is on (red), the pilot/vehicle operator must not enter or cross the runway or commence take-off – even if a controller issues a clearance. However, RWSL turned off is not clearance to proceed. Clearance
vehicle operators remains an instruction from ATC to pilots or vehicle operators, as done today. According to Eurocontrol, “RWSL increases pilots’ and vehicle operators’ situational awareness by directly providing runway occupancy status through the autonomous illumination of in-pavement lights on runway and taxiways. The concept of operations relies on the ability to warn at least one of the aircraft or vehicles in a conflicting scenario and in some cases, provide additional warnings to everyone involved for increased safety”.
Pioneered in the US – First European Implementation at CDG The RWSL concept was first developed by the US FAA and MIT Lincoln Laboratory. After a decade of development and extensive fieldtesting, RWSL was deployed at some 20 US airports in 2017. The US was not alone in recognizing the potential safety benefits of RWSL. A framework agreement for the RWSL program at Charles de Gaulle (CDG) Airport was signed between DSNA/DTI (Direction des Services de la Navigation Aérienne/ Direction Technique et de l’Innovation) and Indra Navia WWW.AIRPORTTECHNOLOGYREPORTS.COM | 3
RUNWAY STATUS LIGHT TECHNOLOGY FOR MODERN AIRPORT SITUATIONAL AWARENESS
in 2010. DSNA/DTI and Indra Navia collaborated closely in defining, testing, verifying and validating the RWSL implementation at CDG, with technical and operational assessments carried out under the umbrella of the SESAR program. RWSL entered round-the-clock service on the northern inner runway at CDG in 2016, and is now operational on the southern inner runway of this complex airport.
A-SMGCS at the Core of the System
When RWSL is on (red), the pilot/vehicle operator must not enter or cross the runway or commence take-off – even if a controller issues a clearance
An Advanced Surface Movement Guidance and Control System such as the Indra Navia NOVA 9000 system at Charles de Gaulle (CDG) Airport (A-SMGCS, equivalent to ASDE-X in the US) forms the core of the RWSL concept. The A-SMGCS determines the location of aircraft and vehicles on the airfield, as well as of departing and arriving aircraft. It uses data from surveillance sources such as surface radar and multilateration (MLAT) arrays to identify movements on the airport surface, and airport surveillance radars to detect aircraft operating near the airport. Using complex state and safety logic, the A-SMGCS generates aircraft or vehicle tracks and determines the operational status of a track – including whether an object is stationary, taxiing, landing, or taking off – and predicts its probable future behavior. According to programmed thresholds, the A-SMGCS determines which lights should be turned on and off and when, triggers the lights, and updates the visual displays at the ATC controller positions accordingly. Indra Navia and CDG have long been in the forefront of developments in runway safety. Indra Navia first supplied a NOVA 9000 A-SMGCS to CDG in 1993. Additional features have regularly been introduced in the system, with RWSL being the latest safety enhancement. In the same decades, Indra Navia has evolved the NOVA 9000 into the InNOVA AIR suite of
products for tower automation, integration and remote operation – including RWSL. The A-SMGCS and lights are the technological enablers of an RWSL. Nonetheless, considerable efforts are needed to develop procedures and protocols and, not least, in appropriate controller, pilot and vehicle driver awareness and training activity before the system can reach its potential. In a collaborative effort cofinanced by the European Commission under the SESAR program, DSNA/DTI, Groupe ADP (airport owner) and airline companies assisted with the operational validation phase, with participation by EUROCONTROL in the safety studies.
Technology Behind RWSL The RWSL at Charles de Gaulle (CDG) Airport uses surveillance data fused in the NOVA 9000 A-SMGCS from four different surface radars, an MLAT system, a vehicle tracking system, and an approach radar. After processing this data through complex state and safety logic, the A-SMGCS automatically conveys this safety information to the pilots and vehicle operators via three types of in-pavement lights on the airport surface: •R ELs warn that it is unsafe to enter/cross a runway •T HLs warn that it is unsafe to take off from a runway •R ILs warn that it is unsafe to cross a runway intersection. RILs are not implemented at CDG since there are no intersecting runways at the airport. Runway Intersection Lights (RILs) are used where one runway intersects another. RILs provide an indication to pilots in a takeoff or landing roll (and vehicle drivers) that the intersection ahead is unsafe to enter or cross because of a conflict. RILs use the same type of light fixtures as THLs.
Runway Entrance Lights (RELs) are placed at runway/taxiway intersections to indicate when it is unsafe to enter or cross a runway because it is, or soon will be, occupied by an aircraft taking off or landing. RELs consist of one line of lights that are visible to pilots and vehicle drivers taxiing toward runways, placed close to the taxiway centerline, from the runway holding point (about 90m from the runway centerline) up to the runway centerline. 4 | WWW.AIRPORTTECHNOLOGYREPORTS.COM
RUNWAY STATUS LIGHT TECHNOLOGY FOR MODERN AIRPORT SITUATIONAL AWARENESS
REL: WHAT A DRIVER SEES
Takeoff Hold Lights (THLs) are placed at the runway departure positions and are visible to pilots in takeoff position. THLs warn pilots that it is unsafe to takeoff because the runway ahead is, or will soon be, occupied by another aircraft or vehicle. THLs consist of a double line of lights aligned with the runway centerline for a distance of about 450m.
RWSL: Fewer and Less Severe Runway Incursions Through Accurate, Timely and Intuitive Indication of Runway Occupancy Evaluations conducted in the US confirm that RWSL has improved runway safety without reducing capacity or increasing controller workload and reinforces controller guidance. The European evaluation under the SESAR program concluded that “Runway Status Lights (RWSL) are unique in providing instant visual
alerts, and operate simultaneously with, and in addition to, other safety nets such as on-board alerts and air traffic control safety nets.… [The] system improves awareness of runway usage, and reduces the risk of collision on the runway.” Or, as Maurice Georges, DSNA CEO, put it more simply ”RWSL at Paris-CDG has already proved its value!”
Using complex state and safety logic, the A-SMGCS generates aircraft or vehicle tracks and determines the
Indra Navia and CDG have long
operational status of a track
been in the forefront of developments in runway safety
THL: WHAT THE PILOT SEES
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RUNWAY STATUS LIGHT TECHNOLOGY FOR MODERN AIRPORT SITUATIONAL AWARENESS
Dealing with Runway Incursions Tom Cropper, Editor As traffic management at airports becomes increasingly complicated, operators are looking for more sophisticated incursion alert systems.
A
The pressure on infrastructure at the world’s major airports is growing rapidly. IATA’s long-term passenger forecasts suggest the number of passengers could double over the next 20 years to reach 7.2bn by 2034
IRPORTS HAVE faced an ongoing battle against airport incursions for years. However, with the number of incursions rising, they are becoming a bigger and bigger priority. The challenge is a difficult one: to introduce safeguards which prevent incursions while not interrupting the regular operations of the airport itself. To achieve this, fresh thinking and a new generation of technologies is needed.
Rapid Expansion The market against which airports are operating is challenging. The pressure on infrastructure at the world’s major airports is growing rapidly. IATA’s long-term passenger forecasts suggest the number of passengers could double over the next 20 years to reach 7.2bn by 20341. Although the figures represent a slight downward revision over their initial estimates, they still point to a period of steady and sustained growth. The question is: can airports manage such an increase in traffic? The answer, at this stage, is unclear. New airports are being built and existing airports are working to expand their facilities. Even so, creating fresh capacity is a challenge. Building new terminals is a lengthy, expensive and controversial process. Whether it’s plans for a new runway, terminal or even an entirely new airport, operators will encounter opposition from local residents, politicians and the press. The scope for physical expansion, therefore, is limited. A report from business leaders found that, even with Heathrow’s proposed third runway, capacity wouldn’t be enough to cope with growing demand. It called on the Government to develop a new aviation strategy which encourages competition, looks at flight movement limitations and the possibility of removing what it described as ‘artificial limits’ on capacity at places such as Stansted. There was, said the report, “clear demand” for further runway capacity in the South East of England over and above the planned third runway at Heathrow2. While these proposals may make sense for an aviation industry faced with increasing demand
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and limited capacity, they would meet with significant opposition, and conflict with the UK’s existing environmental commitments. Air quality around Heathrow is worsening and consistently exceed EU safety limits3. The UK Government plans to reduce emissions by 80% against the 1990 level by 2050 as set out by the Climate Change Act of 20054. It’s an ambitious target and, if they are to come anywhere close, high polluting industries such as aviation will have to implement major changes. It is a difficult circle to square: to cater to demand, but to do so in a way which is safe and reduces emissions. The only way to do this is to increase the number of flights passing in and out of major airports within existing constraints, and that will require airports to operate at maximum efficiency. Delays caused by incursions will push against those goals.
A Costly Business Airports will also factor-in the financial expense of incursions. Airports around the world operate on fine profit margins and, as they become busier, the risk of collision and accident – both minor and serious – grows. From a purely financial perspective, airports will suffer from damage to equipment and increased maintenance times. Incidents will cause delays, which will impact on an airport’s revenue. In some cases, injuries to personnel will result in personal injury claims if fault can be proven on the part of the airport.
What Should be Done About Incursions? Incursions represent a threat to future capacity, financial health and, most importantly, the physical safety of personnel, which is why airports and authorities are devoting vast resources into identifying and mitigating risk factors. The FAA, for example, granted $11million in funding to eight US airports as part of its Runway Incursion Management Program. The funding is intended to help in risk identification and to find new ways to mitigate the risk of incursion5.
RUNWAY STATUS LIGHT TECHNOLOGY FOR MODERN AIRPORT SITUATIONAL AWARENESS
Investment in new technologies and systems may present an initial expense, but airports will see the returns in lower costs and higher revenues. The question is, what form should these measures take? Most conventional systems rely on an alert which is given to the air traffic controller, who then evaluates the situation and issues a stop signal to pilots or drivers of ground vehicles. The system is tried, trusted and familiar. However, in an environment in which traffic is increasing, it may no longer be fit for purpose. Additional lighting systems have an important role to play. These can provide an extra layer of safety over and above direction from controllers. Red signals will prevent an aircraft from leaving and they will not be able to depart as long as that signal is on – even if they do get an all clear from the controller. Equally, if the signal disappears, pilots will still have to wait for official clearance before departing. As technology advances, systems are becoming faster and more reliable and are greatly increasing the situational awareness of pilots. As airports move into a more demanding future, the risk of incursions will grow as will the possible damage they can inflict. Reducing incursions will help increase capacity and grow
Incursions represent a
Reducing incursions
threat to future capacity,
will help increase
financial health and, most
capacity and grow
importantly, the physical
revenue while
safety of personnel,
simultaneously
which is why airports and
improving safety and
authorities are devoting
helping airports meet
vast resources into
their key capacity and
identifying and mitigating
environmental target
risk factors revenue while simultaneously improving safety and helping airports meet their key capacity and environmental targets. Multiple technologies can deliver incremental improvements. The challenge will be to find ways of incorporating them into existing systems as smoothly as possible, and implementing a system fit for the future.
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RUNWAY STATUS LIGHT TECHNOLOGY FOR MODERN AIRPORT SITUATIONAL AWARENESS
Why Airports Should Focus on Runway Status Lights Jo Roth, Staff Writer Runway status lights have been a long time in coming, but they could prove key in the ongoing battle against runway incursions.
A “
From the earliest tests, RWSL have been shown to reduce the risk of runway incursions. In 2009, it was revealed that the number of incursions had reduced remarkably at Los Angeles from 26 in the year 2000 to eight incursions – all of which were minor
NEW technology could save lives, so why is it not being used here?” So, opens a press report into runway status lights from 2006. It was reporting on the successful trials of lighting systems in Texas. Despite the success, bemoaned the report, it could be years before they might see a similar system installed in their own airport in New York6. Skip forward 11 years and the use of runway status light systems (RWSL) has grown considerably, but it is still far from being the universal go-to system, despite proving its worth almost everywhere. As airports get to grips with the system, they need to answer key questions about how it should be installed and how they can get the most out of it.
Successful Results From the earliest tests, RWSL have been shown to reduce the risk of runway incursions. In 2009, it was revealed that the number of incursions had reduced remarkably at Los Angeles from 26 in the year 2000 to eight incursions – all of which were minor,7. An evaluation of runway status lighting found that they would provide a warning to one or both of the affected pilots in 65% of the cases it studied8. In the US, the FAA has long viewed RWSL as being integral to its program to reduce runway incursions. After initially testing the system at four airports around the country – Dallas/Fort Worth International, Los Angeles International, Boston Logan International and San Diego International – they are being rolled-out at airports across the country. So, with the case proven in a number of different environments, how should airport operators go about implementing the change and selecting a partner? The challenge will be different depending on the individual airport. The FAA chose its four initial locations because they all presented different operational challenges. San Diego, for example, has a single runway with a difficult approach, which can create problems on the ground.
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Other airports may have witnessed a sharp increase in traffic in the last few years, which creates congestion and traffic management issues. Controllers deal with more and more aircraft movements per day. Their work becomes more complicated, with much less time available to make decisions. As airports become busier, the risk of incursion rises.
Gaining Acceptance The demand for enhanced safety measures, therefore, is growing, but any new system will meet obstacles which it must overcome. The first will be a natural inertia and a tendency among all participants to distrust that which they perceive to be new. A system will have to earn the trust of pilots and operators. They must feel comfortable that the sensors and decision processing algorithms will correctly identify issues while also minimizing false alarms. Even a small rise in the number of aircraft held unnecessarily or delayed in their take-off procedures can have a significant knock-on effect for the airport. There must also be a good understanding between all participants. Pilots must understand what happens when a red light goes off, and when they receive their official clearance. In essence, a pilot will be receiving two different inputs – one from the signal and one from the controller. When these two contradict one another, they need to know which one to follow. Systems deliver the final clearance power to the controller, so the moment when a red light goes out is not signal to go. The timing of when the red light goes out can also be important. Confusion about this can lead to problems such as an incident at McCarran International Airport, LAS, where one aircraft was cleared for take-off by a controller, but because of poor co-ordination and a loss of situational awareness, another controller also gave clearance to a second aircraft – a business jet. The automated lighting system was still functional with the lights illuminated, but even so, the business jet ignored the lighting and went with
RUNWAY STATUS LIGHT TECHNOLOGY FOR MODERN AIRPORT SITUATIONAL AWARENESS
the controller’s clearance instead. The problem is that, although the system functioned well, a lack of understanding among the human participants created an issue9. Assessing the implications and risks of new systems is just one of the reasons why the technology has taken so long to go through testing and evaluation to make it onto the front line. As it does, the technology has evolved and has been refined to provide a better service in the real-world environment. As it moves into the future, it will continue to evolve.
New Technology Alert systems rely on technology which is in an exciting state of development. Sensors and monitoring systems are improving, delivering more accurate and reliable threat detection and increasing the amount of information which can be gathered from around an airport. Once that data is gathered, it relies on an automated system trained to detect and evaluate threats before recommending action. Advances in artificial intelligence technology have an enormous role to play by increasing the amount of data that can be processed, the effectiveness of algorithms and the detail of decision making. This area of technology is in the early stages of a rapid developmental curve and keeping up with the technology could prove to be a challenge. It is a technology with enormous potential and even the most sophisticated AI systems in use today could appear antiquated within a couple of years. Operators will need a better understanding of the market, how the technology is evolving and where it may go in the future. As runway status light systems progressively prove their value in European airports and around the world, the business case is becoming
Assessing the implications and risks of new systems
Advances in artificial
is just one of the reasons
intelligence technology
why the technology
have an enormous role
has taken so long to
to play by increasing
go through testing and
the amount of data that
evaluation to make it
can be processed,
onto the front line
the effectiveness of algorithms and the detail of decision making
more compelling and the number of providers is growing, but this also creates a challenge. Not every provider will be capable of delivering the same quality of service. Some will inevitably be better than others. Differentiating between them can be difficult. Those companies which can demonstrate a successful track record in the sector and can offer ongoing technical support will be at a premium when operators choose where to buy from. Runway status lighting, therefore, has endured a long and winding road from the development of its initial concept to making an appearance in the market. However, where it has been used it has consistently delivered results. It has been shown to drive down the number of near misses, improving safety and helping airports meet their capacity challenges. Some airports will have a greater need than others, which means each one will have to make their own assessment to see how they can incorporate RWSL into their existing operations. WWW.AIRPORTTECHNOLOGYREPORTS.COM | 9
RUNWAY STATUS LIGHT TECHNOLOGY FOR MODERN AIRPORT SITUATIONAL AWARENESS
New Runway Lighting Systems Can Be Crucial in Avoiding Runway Incursions James Butler, Staff Writer
F systems can be very
OR ALL the attempts to improve safety and reduce airport incursions, they continue to be a problem, and indeed at many airports around the world they are growing. The skies are becoming more crowded and managing safety is becoming more challenging. Many traditional runway incursion avoidance systems are simply not up to the task.
effective in avoiding
Near Misses
Although runway safety
runway collisions, there are cases in which these systems are less effective due to the long time it takes from the activation of the alert to the actual action taken by the pilot or vehicle driver
An example of the risks comes from a Eurocontrol report into a near miss incident in 2011. It occurred at Zurich Airport when two aircraft were given the clearance to take off on adjacent runways which intersected with one another. Fortunately, the crew of one aircraft noticed the other approaching and aborted the take-off. A few moments later they were given the stop order from the controller in the tower. Eurocontrol’s report into the incident identified issues with the incursion alarm system10. Many airports make use of a Runway Incursion Monitoring and Conflict Alert System (RIMCAS). These use sensing and surveillance equipment to monitor the location of aircraft and vehicles. It has safety and logic systems which use algorithms to interpret this data and, if it triggers an alarm, delivers a warning to an air traffic controller. He or she will then evaluate that information and, if it is deemed to be a risk, will pass it on to the pilot or driver. The problem is that the time between an alert being triggered and a stop signal being given can be too long and this is exactly what happened in the Zurich incident. The controller received the alert, but initially thought it to be a false alarm triggered by an encroaching vehicle. He checked his monitors and only then noticed that two aircraft were simultaneously taking off on adjacent runways, which was when the stop signal was given. By that time, the pilots, using their own visual scanning, had already spotted the danger and aborted the take-off.
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Learning from Mistakes This was a near-miss, but in an environment when events can happen quickly, every second can count. Eurocontrol’s report found that: “Although runway safety systems can be very effective in avoiding runway collisions, there are cases in which these systems are less effective due to the long time it takes from the activation of the alert to the actual action taken by the pilot or vehicle driver.” The report suggested that a new system which delivers the alert to the pilot or driver directly could be much more effective at reducing the delay and providing a more accurate response, which is why authorities both in the US and Europe have invested so much interest in an alternative system - Runway Status Lighting Systems (RWSL). These operate in much the same way as the RIMCAS system in that they use sensors and detection algorithms to monitor the location of aircraft and issue an alert when needed. However, where they differ crucially is that they issue the alert direct to the pilot or driver rather than just to the airport controller. The system is designed to improve the situational awareness of pilots by giving them information directly and providing an additional layer of security over and above the controller, without interrupting the regular operations of airports and driving down turnaround times. Compared to the RIMCAS system, it eliminates the time delay between triggering an alert and the aircraft stopping. However, therein lies one of its challenges. Some of the alerts given to the controller will inevitably be false alarms, perhaps triggered by a vehicle encroaching slightly over a line, which means, potentially, aircraft could be held at a line needlessly.
Issues to Address There is also the potential for confusion, with a pilot receiving two stop-go signals. They need
RUNWAY STATUS LIGHT TECHNOLOGY FOR MODERN AIRPORT SITUATIONAL AWARENESS
to be clear about where the final clearance comes from. If a red light extinguishes, that, in itself, does not indicate a ‘go’ signal. It only shows that the other aircraft has cleared the line. The final clearance signal must still come from the controller. At the same time, if a red light is operational, the pilot must not leave even if that signal has been given. In short, the only time an aircraft should depart is when the red light is out and the controller has given official clearance. In theory, therefore, it should achieve the dual aim of reducing runway incursions while avoiding any interruption to operations. For that to happen, as Eurocontrol’s report acknowledged, it must meet several conditions. First, there must be a high degree of trust in the system. Pilots and controllers must feel comfortable that the number of false alarms will be low, and the system will operate when needed. That is down to the quality of the sensing equipment and the decision processing system that decides when to trigger an alarm. Taking the controller out of the loop, adds the report, may also create problems if the controller and pilot were to take different actions in response to the same situation. However, the need for change is very real. Airports are becoming busier and the task of managing traffic is becoming that much more challenging. As pressure increases on infrastructure, the risk of incursions inevitably rises. Runway status lights have an important role to play and are already being used at a growing number of airports, both in Europe and the US. Reports on their use have been positive with most finding a significant drop in the number of incursions.
The system is designed
There is also the
to improve the situational
potential for confusion,
awareness of pilots by
with a pilot receiving two
giving them information
stop-go signals. They
directly and providing
need to be clear about
an additional layer of
where the final clearance
security over and
comes from. If a red light
above the controller,
extinguishes, that, in
without interrupting the
itself, does not indicate
regular operations of
a ‘go’ signal
airports and driving down turnaround times There are barriers to overcome. Introducing new systems represents an inevitable risk both from operational and financial perspectives. What if the implementation of a new system creates more problems than it solves? Can an airport justify the upfront cost of the installation and how quickly is the technology evolving? Delivering education and improving awareness within the market will be an important part of triggering growth in the sector. As existing airports adopt RWSL and find that they work well, the case is growing as other airports increasingly opt to take advantage.
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RUNWAY STATUS LIGHT TECHNOLOGY FOR MODERN AIRPORT SITUATIONAL AWARENESS
Runway Status Lights Come of Age Tom Cropper, Editor To cope with a more challenging age, airports will have to turn to a new generation of lighting systems.
A
In Europe, the new RWSL system at Paris Charles de Gaulle won the Janes ATC Runway Award. The system which was developed and supplied by lighting specialist Indra Navia represents the cutting edge of this technology
S AIRPORTS become busier, the task of managing traffic and avoiding incursions is becoming more complicated. To solve these issues, they are turning to a new range of lighting systems to improve the situational awareness of pilots on the ground and issue more timely warnings for when danger might be present. As concepts such as runway status light systems gain traction and start to be used in more of the world’s major runways, uptake is growing. The question is, just how far can this technology develop?
Market Growth Airport lighting as a whole is a major issue. The market is growing rapidly and is expected to increase by 7% CAGR between 2016 and 2022. In 2016, the market was valued at $489.5million. By 2022, that number is forecast to reach $734.6 million, according to data from Zion Market Research11. Airports are looking to boost safety and manage increased traffic volumes while also meeting their commitment to reducing energy consumption. It is far from straightforward. They want to improve visibility in all conditions, to be brighter and clearer, while using less energy. Ever since testing began in 2009, runway status lights have been shown to successfully reduce incursions. A report into a workshop run by Eurocontrol found that incursions reduced by 70% at the testing site when compared to an equivalent time span. The USA has led the way. RWSL have long been at the center of the FAA’s attempts to reduce the number of incursions and tests have been under way since 2006. It is now in use at more than 23 airports across the country and reports from these suggest it is proving successful in reducing the number of near misses.
Award Winning In Europe, the new RWSL system at Paris Charles de Gaulle won the Janes ATC Runway Award. The system which was developed and supplied 12 | WWW.AIRPORTTECHNOLOGYREPORTS.COM
by lighting specialist Indra Navia represents the cutting edge of this technology12. The environment at Paris CDG is particularly challenging. It is one of the widest platforms in Europe with two sets of parallel runways and multiple instances where these intersect and cross. Co-ordinating traffic and maintaining safety is therefore a major concern. There is an average of 700 crossings every day raiing the chances of error. With the number of aircraft movements increasing, they decided that a new system was required to reduce the risk of runway incursions. They decided to implement the runway status light system. The system includes automated advisory red lights at the runway entrance and the take-off hold lights and runway entrance lights. Imagine if aircraft A comes into land and starts navigating its way to the terminal. However, it will cross a runway where aircraft B is about to take off. It can be held at the runway entrance. The lights extinguish three seconds before aircraft B passes its location and once it is safe the controller will issue clearance to proceed. The same lighting system works for ground crew driving vehicles. As they make their way across the platform, red lights give them a clear visual alert to danger. The lights, therefore, work as an advisory system. Rather than being a system of stop and clearance themselves, they are there to provide a direct signal to pilots and drivers. The power to issue final clearance remains with the controller. As such, all participants are reminded to work on the basis that – a red light on means stop, the red light off means wait for clearance. It’s the best way to optimize the turnaround time for all aircraft while ensuring safety remains at its highest level. Lighting is being used to improve runway navigation around the world. At London Heathrow and Dubai, they use a system known as ‘Follow the Greens’. Green landing lights illuminating provide an easy to follow path for
RUNWAY STATUS LIGHT TECHNOLOGY FOR MODERN AIRPORT SITUATIONAL AWARENESS
all landing and taking off aircraft. Analysis of the performance of the ‘Follow the Greens’ system has suggested that taxi time could be reduced by between 10% to 30%13. However, this should not be confused with the runway status lighting systems. While RWSL is fully automated, ‘Follow the Greens’ is controlled by a human controller. The same is true for stop bars. These are controlled directly by an individual. The activation signal goes to the controller who then passes the information on to the pilot or driver. The RWSL system, therefore, offers a faster alert and cuts out the time delay between a controller receiving an alarm and deciding to issue a command to stop. The technology also has plenty of room to progress and has shown it can work well with other systems.
Innovations At San Diego International Airport, one of the first to use the systems, they have decided to upgrade their systems to LEDs14. These in-pavement lighting systems will provide a more durable wear and a longer lifespan. A brighter light will cut through poor visibility conditions. However, the use of LEDs has not met with universal approval. Although the light can be brighter it can cause unpleasant side-effects for those who are sensitive to LED light. The performance and
Rather than being a
The same lighting
system of stop and
system works for ground
clearance themselves,
crew driving vehicles.
they are there to provide
As they make their way
a direct signal to pilots
across the platform, red
and drivers. The power
lights give them a clear
to issue final clearance
visual alert to danger
remains with the controller durability advantages of LEDs can be compelling, but they will need to be fully understood before being introduced universally. Other advances may also come in sensing and detection systems. Developers may also improve the way the system interacts with both the pilots and the controllers. However, what’s not in doubt is the potential the system has to improve safety at airports. When used correctly and understood by all participants it represents an additional layer of security which will avoid incursions without interrupting the ongoing operation of an airport.
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References: 1
IATA Long Term Passenger Forecast: http://www.iata.org/pressroom/pr/Pages/2016-10-18-02.aspx
2
Heathrow Expansion Won’t be Enough: http://www.cityam.com/268155/heathrow-expansion-wont-enough-londons-airports-near
3
Heathrow Air Pollution Rises: https://www.standard.co.uk/news/transport/heathrow-air-pollution-worsens-as-government-presses-ahead-with-third-runway-plan-a3508816.html
Government Policy on Greenhouse Emissions: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/2010-to-2015-government-policy-greenhouse-gas-emissions/2010-to-2015-government-policy-greenhouse-gas-emissions
4
5
FAA Spends $11million to Reduce Runway Incursions: http://atwonline.com/safety/faa-spends-11-million-reduce-runway-incursions
6
RWSL in the news: http://rwsl.ll.mit.edu/news-8.24.06.html
7
Incursions Drop Significantly at LAX: http://articles.latimes.com/2009/oct/09/local/me-runways9
8
Evaluation of Runway Status Lights: https://www.nbaa.org/ops/safety/in-flight-safety/runway/20170404-bwi-sfo-the-latest-airports-to-implement-runway-status-lights.php
9
BWI SFO The Latest Airport to Implement Runway Status Lights: https://www.nbaa.org/ops/safety/in-flight-safety/runway/20170404-bwi-sfo-the-latest-airports-to-implement-runway-status-lights.php
10
Runway Safety Alerts: https://www.eurocontrol.int/sites/default/files/publication/Hindsight/hindsight-22-runway-safety-alerts.pdf
11
Global Airport Lighting Market: https://globenewswire.com/news-release/2017/09/20/1125041/0/en/Global-Commercial-Airport-Lighting-Market-Will-Reach-USD-734-6-Million-by-2022-Zion-Market-Research.html
12
13
14
Indra Navia’s Runway Status Lights At Charles de Gaulle Airport: http://www.indracompany.com/en/noticia/indra-navias-runway-status-light-technology-paris-charles-gaulle-airport-wins-janes-atc Follow the Greens: A Strategic Path to Success: http://blog.adbsafegate.com/follow-the-greens-a-strategic-path-to-success-for-all-airport-stakeholders/ San Diego International Switched to LED Status Lights: http://www.airportimprovement.com/article/san-diego-intl-switches-led-runway-status-lights
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Notes:
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Notes:
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