Ground Operation Safety

Aviation safety is of utmost importance for the aircraft, passengers, and crews that fly, travel, and work in close proximity to potentially dangerous situations daily. There are numerous hazards within operational safety that include: airport terminal buildings, hangars and maintenance shops, ramp operations, specialized services (aviation fuel handling, aircraft rescue and fire fighting (ARFF), and deicing), and runway incursions. Wells & Rodrigues (2004) state that a runway incursion is any occurrence at an airport involving an aircraft, vehicle, person, or object on the ground that creates a collision hazard or results in a loss of separation with an aircraft that is taking off, intending to take off, landing or intending to land. Technology has become an integral part of preventing runway incursions by allowing the human senses and skills to be heightened and assisted to overcome personal limitations.

Technology that has been integrated into airports includes ADSE, LOT, AMASS, PRM, GSTRS, MITRE-CAASD, and RWSL.

Airport surface detection equipment (ASDE):
(sample screen using ASDE system on right)

- analog radar that monitors aircraft and other surface vehicles on the runway
- allows ATC to determine if a runway is clear and safe for departing and
arriving aircraft
- gives multilateral, seamless coverage so there are no coverage gaps within
scanned area

Loops technology (LOT):
- lower cost alternative to the ASDE-X system
- used in smaller airports where the coverage capability of the ASDE-X system
is not necessary

Airport movement area safety system (AMASS):- add on software for the ASDE system
- provides audible and visual alerts of hazards
- increases the safety of movement on the runway

Precision runway monitoring (PRM):
- non rotating circular phased array antenna
- allows ATC to monitor aircraft in present time and give
proper direction to aircraft so ample separation can be maintained

Orincon Corp’s ground safety tracking and reporting system (GSTRS):
- more cost effective than existing FAA ground tracking radar
- effectiveness is weather independent
- enables ATC to monitor and direct ground traffic, both aircraft and vehicle, where normal ground surveillance is not as effective

Three-dimensional runway surface markings (MITRE-CAASD):- innovative images painted on the runway to alert pilots and vehicle operators to see critical markings better
- these images delineate areas where operators need permission before they cross (example pictured below)

Runway status lights (RWSL):- radar based system that offers pilots a visual advisory of runway status via surface lights
- runway lights will show red if a runway is unsafe to enter or cross
- pilots must wait for approval from ATC before proceeding

Airports are an increasingly busy and chaotic area, so the invention of new safety technology is vital for the safety of all. Most of the technology listed above is an added reference for the ATCs, but additional visual cues are given to pilots for immediate visual recognition. Technology is constantly being improved upon and efforts to keep the aviation industry safe are the primary focus for all.