Runway Status Lights
Encyclopedia
Runway Status Lights is a fully automatic advisory safety system as a part of an ongoing effort to explore new technologies to increase safety during airport ground operations.
as part of its Runway Incursion Reduction Program
and under United States Air Force
contract number F19 F19628-00-C-002 has sponsored the development of this system. The Lincoln Laboratory of Massachusetts Institute of Technology is tasked to oversee the development of this program.
or runway
, advise pilots on their movement status. Runway Entrance Lights (RELs) illuminate when it is unsafe to enter the runway. Takeoff Hold Lights (THLs) illuminate when an aircraft is on the runway but it is unsafe to take off, due to other traffic movements on the runway. Although the lights will turn off once an aircraft has cleared the obstructing position, THLs turning off does not constitute a clearance to take off from a runway.
In the August 3, 2006 Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) http://www.faa.gov/ntap/NTAP06AUG3/GEN05001.htm, the FAA describes the system:
and Los Angeles International Airport
with RELs also being tested at San Diego International Airport
. The system was activated on 7 July 2010 at Boston Logan International Airport as well. McCarran International Airport
has also installed the system.
Development
The Federal Aviation AdministrationFederal Aviation Administration
The Federal Aviation Administration is the national aviation authority of the United States. An agency of the United States Department of Transportation, it has authority to regulate and oversee all aspects of civil aviation in the U.S...
as part of its Runway Incursion Reduction Program
Runway incursion
A runway incursion is an incident where an unauthorized aircraft, vehicle or person is on a runway. This adversely affects runway safety, as it creates the risk that an airplane taking off or landing will collide with the object...
and under United States Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
contract number F19 F19628-00-C-002 has sponsored the development of this system. The Lincoln Laboratory of Massachusetts Institute of Technology is tasked to oversee the development of this program.
Description of System
The lights, which turn red on the centerline of a taxiwayTaxiway
A taxiway is a path on an airport connecting runways with ramps, hangars, terminals and other facilities. They mostly have hard surface such as asphalt or concrete, although smaller airports sometimes use gravel or grass....
or runway
Runway
According to ICAO a runway is a "defined rectangular area on a land aerodrome prepared for the landing and take-off of aircraft." Runways may be a man-made surface or a natural surface .- Orientation and dimensions :Runways are named by a number between 01 and 36, which is generally one tenth...
, advise pilots on their movement status. Runway Entrance Lights (RELs) illuminate when it is unsafe to enter the runway. Takeoff Hold Lights (THLs) illuminate when an aircraft is on the runway but it is unsafe to take off, due to other traffic movements on the runway. Although the lights will turn off once an aircraft has cleared the obstructing position, THLs turning off does not constitute a clearance to take off from a runway.
In the August 3, 2006 Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) http://www.faa.gov/ntap/NTAP06AUG3/GEN05001.htm, the FAA describes the system:
- RWSL is an advisory system for use by pilots and vehicle operators and helps maintain situational awareness. It operates independently of Air Traffic ControlAir traffic controlAir traffic control is a service provided by ground-based controllers who direct aircraft on the ground and in the air. The primary purpose of ATC systems worldwide is to separate aircraft to prevent collisions, to organize and expedite the flow of traffic, and to provide information and other...
. Status lights have two states: ON (lights are illuminated red) and OFF (lights are off) and are switched automatically based on information from the airport surface surveillance systems. These surveillance systems include airport surveillance radarRadarRadar is an object-detection system which uses radio waves to determine the range, altitude, direction, or speed of objects. It can be used to detect aircraft, ships, spacecraft, guided missiles, motor vehicles, weather formations, and terrain. The radar dish or antenna transmits pulses of radio...
s (ASRs), surface detection radars (ASDE-3 or ASDE-X) and multilateration information from the ASDE-X surveillance system.
System Locations
Both THLs and RELs are currently being tested in the United States at Dallas-Fort Worth International AirportDallas-Fort Worth International Airport
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport is located between the cities of Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas, and is the busiest airport in the U.S. state of Texas...
and Los Angeles International Airport
Los Angeles International Airport
Los Angeles International Airport is the primary airport serving the Greater Los Angeles Area, the second-most populated metropolitan area in the United States. It is most often referred to by its IATA airport code LAX, with the letters pronounced individually...
with RELs also being tested at San Diego International Airport
San Diego International Airport
San Diego International Airport , sometimes referred to as Lindbergh Field, is a public airport located northwest of the central business district of San Diego, California and from the Mexico – United States border at Tijuana, Mexico...
. The system was activated on 7 July 2010 at Boston Logan International Airport as well. McCarran International Airport
McCarran International Airport
McCarran International Airport is the principal commercial airport serving Las Vegas and Clark County, Nevada, United States. The airport is located five miles south of the central business district of Las Vegas, in the unincorporated area of Paradise in Clark County. It covers an area of and...
has also installed the system.